Dyslexia Center
Welcome to Park Place Christian Academy’s Dyslexia and Resource Center!
The PPCA Dyslexia Center is a special division of PPCA that is established to provide the appropriate academic instruction for high potential students with a primary diagnosis of Dyslexia.
The core of the program is an Orton Gillingham based curriculum.
Dyslexia therapy will be administered each day under the supervision of a certified Dyslexia Therapist in a small, full-day, self-contained class setting of no more than eight students.
This two-year program provides a comprehensive curriculum designed for students in 1st and 2nd grades.
History
PPCA’s Dyslexia and Resource Center was established in August 2013.
Mrs. Donna Hunt led the development of the center after realizing the school did not have resources to meet the needs of a small group of PPCA students that exhibited a learning difference.
While assisting a family in need of specialized services, Donna learned of an opportunity to continue her own education in the area of dyslexia.
Upon completion of a Master of Education in Dyslexia degree, Donna shared her vision of starting a program for dyslexic students with PPCA’s Head of School.
After much prayer, the leadership of both the school (a ministry of Park Place Baptist Church) and the church approved the creation of the Dyslexia Center.
The administration’s faith in the provision of the Lord was demonstrated when they approved staffing and resources with only one prospective student.
Word of mouth quickly spread the news and the program reached full capacity the first year.
Throughout the years since 2013, the Lord has richly blessed the students, families, and staff of the Dyslexia and Resource Center.
More than 90 percent of the dyslexic students have completed the two-year program and moved into regular classes of 3rd grade and beyond.
Many of these students maintain an A or A/B average.
Meet PPCA’s DRC Faculty
PPCA’s Dyslexia and Resource Center is staffed with dedicated Christian therapists who strive to help students reach their full potential.
Caryn Fitzgerald
Caryn is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education.
She earned her Master of Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education at the University of New Orleans.
Caryn has worked in public and private education for seven years and worked two years as an early intervention specialist in the NICUs of Wake Forest Medical Center and Forsyth Hospital in North Carolina.
After substituting at Park Place Christian Academy for five years, Caryn was thrilled to accept a permanent position with the Dyslexia Resource Center in 2021.
She serves as a Resource teacher for PPCA’s Dyslexia program where she can utilize her special education background by providing small group and one-on-one instruction for students in 3rd through 12th grades.
Caryn believes that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and see success.
She is eager to ensure that learning comes in the best environment that meets their specific needs.
Michelle Hester
Michelle is a 2nd grade Dyslexia teacher. She is a graduate of Mississippi College with a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy.
Michelle worked in the telecommunications industry for over 19 years but, hearing the Lord’s call, she changed her career path to pursue elementary education.
She fulfilled requirements for an alternate route teaching certificate and then continued her education in Dyslexia Therapy.
Michelle has been employed at PPCA since 2010 as a classroom teacher, resource teacher, and dyslexia therapist.
She was nominated by PPCA administrators for her excellence in teaching and chosen as the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools’ 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Michelle believes that every child can be a competent learner and seeks to maximize her students’ learning potential.
She is dedicated to helping children feel successful in their educational journey.
Donna Hunt
Donna is the Director of PPCA’s Dyslexia and Resource Center and the 1st grade dyslexia teacher.
She is a graduate of Belhaven University with a B.S. in Elementary Education degree with endorsements in Remedial Reading and English (K-12).
Donna received a Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy from Mississippi College.
Donna began her career working for the Mississippi State Tax Commission but after 11 years, she realized God had other plans for her.
Donna stepped into Christian education, taking an opportunity as Director of Preschool and Kindergarten at a local church.
She realized quickly that God had called her into the mission field of education.
Donna now holds a lifetime Administrator’s license from Midsouth Association of Independent Schools.
Donna has worked for PPCA for 20 years and has more than 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in area schools.
Donna believes in teaching students in a way that helps them learn and feel successful.
She is passionate about providing a stimulating and engaging Christ-centered learning environment that encourages students to reach their highest potential.
Katie Roberts
Katie is a graduate of Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma where she earned a B.S. in Biology.
She received a Master of Education in Dyslexia Therapy degree from Mississippi College.
Katie has worked in the public and private school setting for twelve years.
She has served as a classroom teacher, 3rd-12th grade resource teacher, and dyslexia therapist at PPCA for the past 7 years.
Katie has experience in providing whole group and one-on-one instruction for students with varying ability levels.
Katie believes in using a Christ-centered approach to help parents and students better understand reading/learning challenges and the gift of dyslexia.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
(Adopted by the IDA Board of Directors, Nov. 12, 2012. This definition is also used by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
For more help understanding what Dyslexia is, or to especially help your child understand, watch this short video provided by Rose Kruntz and the Dyslexia Think Tank:
Special thanks to Rose Kuntz and the Dyslexia Think Tank for the development of this video.
The DRC helps students maximize their learning potential through:
- Christ-centered environment
- Daily Dyslexia therapy by trained professionals combining auditory, kinesthetic, and visual learning modalities
- Lessons in traditional educational subjects tailored to address students’ learning challenges
- Smaller, self-contained classrooms
The classroom instruction is centered on a complete curriculum that includes the following:
- Bible
- Dyslexia Therapy: an Orton Gillingham based curriculum
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Supplemental Computerized Reading Program
Special Activities
Support staff provide weekly lessons in:
- Art
- Computer
- Library
- Music
- Physical Education
Dyslexia Admissions
PPCA’s admissions process is designed to assist families determine whether student will benefit from the Dyslexia program.
Acceptance to the Dyslexia program is based on:
- Availability of placement for child within the 1st grade and 2nd grade program
- Diagnostic testing
- Family interviews with child and parents/guardians
- Information about the student’s academic history
NOTE: The Dyslexia classes are designed for high potential students whose PRIMARY diagnosis is Dyslexia. Students who struggle due to behavior difficulties, severe attention problems, severe receptive and expressive language disorders, or below average intellectual abilities will not benefit from PPCA’s Dyslexia program.
Tuition
Please visit the Admissions page for Tuition information.
Contact Us:
For more information about PPCA’s Dyslexia and Resource Center, please contact the Director, Donna Hunt, by calling 601-939-6229, ext. 208, during regular school hours, or email dh***@go****.com.
To schedule a tour, please contact PPCA’s Admissions Director, Mrs. Sunny McGehee, by calling 601-939-6229, option 7, or email sm******@go****.com.