Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center

11/07/2025

Please give a warm welcome to our newest specialist, Ms. Alison Jansen!

With over 30 years of experience in elementary education, Alison is dedicated to fostering confident, capable readers and lifelong learners. She began her career with Hampton City Schools, where she spent nearly two decades teaching and mentoring both students and fellow educators. For the past decade, she has served as a Reading Specialist with Newport News Public Schools, providing data-driven instruction and targeted literacy support for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She brings a wealth of expertise to her work with students and educators alike.
Alison is a highly accomplished educator with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University, and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading Endorsement from the University of Virginia. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher with specialized training in the Orton-Gillingham approach, LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), and UFLI. Alison excels in structured literacy methods, tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of every learner. Through her work, Alison remains committed to making reading instruction engaging, purposeful, and rewarding, while equipping each student with the skills and confidence needed for academic success.
Outside the classroom, Alison enjoys spending quality time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loves staying active with water Zumba, relaxing at the pool and beach, and playing with her goldendoodle, Sandy. In her free time, she enjoys writing short stories, bringing creativity and storytelling into her life beyond the classroom.

11/04/2025

10/22/2025

Don’t wait. Call today (757) 940-7648

10/06/2025

Always honored to be part of this amazing group of educators!

10/02/2025

✨ October is Dyslexia Awareness Month ✨
Join us on October 25th for "Understanding Dyslexia."
All are welcome ~ FREE event at Tabb Library's Meeting Room
Q&A Session following Keynote Speakers

Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center provides one on one reading and writing intervention for students with dyslexia using the Wilson Reading System. We offer educational testing as well as assistance with the RtI, special education eligibility, and IEP process. All staff are fully certified. We partner

08/22/2025

It's time for our yearly anniversary post for posterity's sake! This year we are proud to celebrate HRDC’s 5th anniversary! Over the past year, our dedicated team has tutored 71 students in Newport News, Hampton, York County, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, and Suffolk—helping learners from preschool to high school reach their full potential.
We conducted 45 dyslexia screenings and performed 41 full literacy evaluations to either rule in or rule out a clinical diagnosis of dyslexia, including several for adults, ensuring everyone receives the support they need. We also welcomed six new teachers to our staff, including two virtual educators joining us from Texas and Maryland!
Our commitment extends beyond the classroom: HRDC continues to work with organizations like the Virginia Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the Learning Disability Association of America (LDA), serving on their Boards to advance dyslexia awareness, research, and support.
This year, we provided special education advocacy for 9 families, guiding and supporting them through the process of eligibility, IEP development, and attended numerous school meetings—both in person and virtually.
Our teachers inspired other professionals as guest speakers in conferences throughout Virginia and nationally including for the VSLA, the Virginia Branch of the IDA, Building Readers for Life 2025 Conference, and the Tutor Success Academy 2025 Summit.
We are honored to be named Best Tutoring Center in Newport News, VA for the fourth consecutive year!
And special congratulations to Ms. Gervais Baptist who completed her practicum and course work to achieve full certification in the Wilson Reading System and to Ms. Chierici, who earned the Virginia State Literacy Association’s Literacy Teacher of the Year award! We could not be more proud of our staff and the level of expertise and experience they bring to the table.
Over half of small businesses fail within five years. HRDC’s continued growth and success is only possible because of our incredible staff and the trust of our families. Thank you for believing in our mission and for investing in your children’s success.
Here’s to the next five years of helping every student shine! 🌟

08/20/2025

Long post ahead! Today we wrapped up intensive intervention using the Wilson Reading System with this beautiful girl. Her family has driven over 45 minutes ONE WAY two to three times a week for the past 3 years. Her determination to become a reader has humbled me and her growth makes me beyond proud. When we say it is a marathon, not a sprint, we are not kidding. Those who promise you quick fixes when it comes to dyslexia are lying. Wilson works, but it takes tremendous dedication and commitment of both time and resources. I remember when we took the first part of this video and this sweet child asked me, "When will I be able to just read? When will I look at words and just know what they say and not have to sound everything out?" Today, baby. Today. Please take the time to watch and listen to the end. I promise it will be worth it.

08/04/2025

SO excited to add this amazing woman to our virtual offerings. Call today if your student needs help with reading, spelling or writing composition!

Please join me in welcoming our new virtual tutoring specialist, Ms. Audrey Windsor!
Audrey is delighted to bring her expertise and passion to the HRDC team. Her journey into supporting neurodivergent children began when both of her sons were diagnosed with dyslexia, igniting a deep commitment to empowering students with diverse learning needs. Through her hands-on experience guiding her sons, Audrey quickly recognized that fostering emotional resilience and confidence is every bit as crucial as teaching reading fundamentals.
With a background in psychology, Audrey uses evidence-based strategies to create a positive, trusting environment where students feel safe to grow. She views mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, turning setbacks into stepping stones for mastery.
Audrey is trained in Bowman's Orton-Gillingham Plus program, a renowned multisensory approach to literacy instruction, as well as Paragraphology—a comprehensive, scaffolded writing program that systematically guides students from crafting a simple paragraph to mastering the five-paragraph essay.
Beyond her professional qualifications, Audrey is a proud hockey parent to her two sons, Tristen and Troy, and never misses a chance to support them on or off the ice. Her dedication, specialized training, and personal experience with neurodivergent learners uniquely position her to support your child’s academic journey with both skill and genuine care.

08/04/2025

Please join me in welcoming our new virtual tutoring specialist, Ms. Audrey Windsor!
Audrey is delighted to bring her expertise and passion to the HRDC team. Her journey into supporting neurodivergent children began when both of her sons were diagnosed with dyslexia, igniting a deep commitment to empowering students with diverse learning needs. Through her hands-on experience guiding her sons, Audrey quickly recognized that fostering emotional resilience and confidence is every bit as crucial as teaching reading fundamentals.
With a background in psychology, Audrey uses evidence-based strategies to create a positive, trusting environment where students feel safe to grow. She views mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, turning setbacks into stepping stones for mastery.
Audrey is trained in Bowman's Orton-Gillingham Plus program, a renowned multisensory approach to literacy instruction, as well as Paragraphology—a comprehensive, scaffolded writing program that systematically guides students from crafting a simple paragraph to mastering the five-paragraph essay.
Beyond her professional qualifications, Audrey is a proud hockey parent to her two sons, Tristen and Troy, and never misses a chance to support them on or off the ice. Her dedication, specialized training, and personal experience with neurodivergent learners uniquely position her to support your child’s academic journey with both skill and genuine care.

07/28/2025

Hello Families! is currently enrolling for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. We provide one-to-one private tutoring services for students with and without dyslexia. We offer general academic tutoring along with specialized services to meet the needs of all students.

For more information, please use the link below. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

https://www.hamptonroadsdyslexiacenter.com/2025registration

07/17/2025

Best tutoring center in Newport News, Virginia for the fourth year in a row! Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center

07/02/2025

So very proud of our staff! 4 years in a row!

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center Receives 2025 Best of Newport News Award
Newport News Award Program Honors the Achievement
NEWPORT NEWS June 25, 2025 -- Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center has been selected for the 2025 Best of Newport News Award in the Tutoring Service category by the Newport News Award Program.
Each year, the Newport News Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Newport News area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2025 Newport News Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Newport News Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Newport News Award Program
The Newport News Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Newport News area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Newport News Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.