Louisiana Key Academy Northshore

Giving Kids with Dyslexia an Education Built Around Their Needs

by Hilary Creamer

AMY CUEVAS FIRST NOTICED HER SON, Alexander, had trouble with basic reading skills in kindergarten. In the first grade, he still struggled to sound out words, would mix up letters and hesitated to read, even after receiving extra help.

Alexander had a large vocabulary for his age and he was bright, so his teachers assured Cuevas she had nothing to worry about. Even so, her instincts told her something was off. As his firstgrade year progressed, so did Alexander’s difficulties with reading.

“He began saying he wanted to quit school, everyone could read except for him and calling himself dumb,” Cuevas said. At the age of 7, Alexander was evaluated by the public school system and by the Center for Dyslexia & Other Learning Disorders at Nicholls State University. He was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disability that impacts a person’s ability to read, write and spell.

Cuevas said Alexander needed resources to address his dyslexia in a way that could help him feel empowered instead of left behind. However, with a national shortage of certified language therapists in public schools, many parents opt for private therapy.

“I remember feeling overwhelmed, alone and not knowing where to turn for help. Even so, we were fortunate to find a certified dyslexia therapist who could immediately start working with Alexander,” she said.

Alexander’s private therapist met with him after school every day for three years. It was expensive, but Cuevas was determined to give her son the tools he needed to succeed.

“One in five kids are dyslexic, most high school dropouts are dyslexic, and a significant percentage of the prison population is dyslexic,” she said. “When you know this, you realize if this challenge had been addressed properly in childhood, society could be much different,” she said.

While Cuevas was able to provide her son with the help he needed, she worried about families that couldn’t afford private therapy.

She began to advocate for kids with dyslexia and banded together with other parents and educators to found the St. Tammany Parish Dyslexia Awareness Community Event. The event is held every October as part of Dyslexia Awareness Month. The group also created a Facebook page called Parents of Students Living with Dyslexia in St. Tammany to connect parents, teachers and offer support.

The group’s grassroots efforts attracted the attention of the Louisiana Key Academy, a Baton Rouge charter school that focuses on educating children with dyslexia. The school evaluated St. Tammany for a possible satellite location. As it turns out, LKA decided Covington would be perfect for a second location.

In August, Louisiana Key Academy Northshore opened its doors to children for the 2022-2023 school year. Longtime St. Tammany resident Jessica Stubbs, Ph.D., sits at the helm as principal.

Principal Jessica Stubbs, Ph.D.

Stubbs is a career educator, school administrator and certified academic language therapist (CALT). “I am honored to serve as the principal of Louisiana Key Academy Northshore, and I am so excited that LKA Northshore will bring evidence-based instruction to dyslexic children and stand as an excellent model and resource for other schools and communities,” she said.

As an educator, Stubbs noticed many smart, creative and talented children had unexpected difficulty with reading. “As I progressed through my career, I was fortunate to befriend professionals in the dyslexia community. I was surprised to learn how common yet misunderstood dyslexia is. Once I started studying dyslexia in earnest, I realized helping children with this disability was my calling,” she said.

Along with serving as a special-purpose charter school for children with dyslexia, LKA Northshore offers high-quality teacher training through its sister organization, The Dyslexia Resource Center. “Through this training, we will continue to build the growing community of excellent certified academic language therapists right here in St. Tammany,” Stubbs said.

While there is an extensive focus on building foundational written language skills, all subjects are taught with dyslexia in mind and by dyslexia experts. Teresa Abram is one of those experts.

Certified Academic Language Therapist, Teresa Abram

Abram has a masters degree in education and is a certified academic language therapist. She serves as special education coordinator/dyslexia specialist for the new school.

Originally from Iowa, Abram has taught in a variety of settings from private to public, K-8th, regular and special education. “I always strive to support learners of every kind to love learning and continue growing towards their success, but I felt something was missing in my teaching toolbox,” she said.

After completing her education and certifications, she opened a private practice for dyslexia therapy but sought to do more.

“In my private practice, I always felt there was never enough time to help more students. I am eager to be a part of the LKA Northshore campus, and I’m overjoyed more children will get the instruction they need, that we know works and that is created by research and data. This is prescriptive and diagnostic instruction not only in reading but for the entire school day in a dyslexic child’s life,” she said.

Abram said many kids have low self-esteem and feel inadequate and defeated from prior school experiences. LKA staff members are keenly aware of the struggles the kids face every day and offer both educational and emotional support.

“Their brains work in a different way, and we know how to help. We work to ease their anxiety by giving them the science and support behind the learning,” she said.

“The students are encouraged to be creative and use hands-on techniques and multi-sensory modes of learning. We see them soak up the information, practice over and over and then apply the concepts. Their confidence explodes. They feel they have a place at Louisiana Key Academy–they make friends, find commonalities and realize they are not so different and can change the world, starting with theirs.”

Located in Covington, LKA Northshore serves students in grades 1-4, but plans to add a grade level every year over the next four years.

“By the 2025-2026 school year, we will serve children in grades 1-8,” Stubbs said. “As we grow, we will be able to offer many opportunities for

our students to engage in clubs and experiences, which will help them to develop and explore a variety of interests and talents.”

Establishing LKA Northshore has been a true community effort, Stubbs said, adding that she and the staff at LKA Northshore appreciate the generous community support, donations, referrals and word of mouth advertising.

“We are all so appreciative of our courageous students who are pioneering a brand new school. We are so excited to see them grow in literacy and confidence,” she said. “The ability to read well opens portals to learning, opportunities, health and understanding of the world around us. Writing allows us to share our thoughts and connect with others. Think of how often you text every day. Imagine what it would be like if you could not access the written word.”

Alexander didn’t get a chance to attend a school like LKA Northshore. But thanks in large part to St. Tammany Parish’s grassroots efforts to grow awareness and resources, other kids struggling with dyslexia will.

“Alexander finished dyslexia therapy at the end of his fourth-grade school year and is now doing great in sixth grade. He can read! I credit this to dyslexia therapy, and I want all dyslexic children to have access to this specialized instruction,” Cuevas said.

LKA Northshore is a tuition-free charter school. A family’s ability to pay for this specialized education will not affect access for children who need it.

To learn more about the school, visit www.lakeyacademy.com. Learn more about the Dyslexia Resource Center at www.dyslexia1n5.com. To learn more about dyslexia, visit www.dyslexia.yale.edu.