Sierra Daley says her new program offers extra support for NWT children diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia or reading and writing disabilities outside the classroom.
Sierra Daley worked as a teacher in Fort McPherson for 12 years. In June, Daley said, she resigned from her teaching position to launch SVD Literacy Service, which helps kids practise reading and phonetics through one-on-one online tutoring.
Over the course of her teaching career, Daley told Cabin Radio, she worked with kids who struggled to learn to read.
She said her experiences in the classroom led her to start researching what might be blocking the children’s progression.
“I have my bachelor’s of education, I have my master’s of education, and they never taught this, so I did more research on that and paid for some training of my own and tried to bring that into the classrooms,” said Daley.
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“But I felt as a classroom teacher, I didn’t have enough autonomy in what I was doing to really focus on the reading. I wanted kids to learn to read, so that eventually led me towards leaving teaching and trying to focus just on helping kids learn to read.”
Daley works with students aged five to 11. Her approach involves a digital world similar to the popular video game Minecraft, in which students are able to complete tasks that practise phonological awareness skills – the ability to recognize and manipulate letter sounds and words.
Daley said her motivation behind this video-game style of teaching was her six-year-old son Calum and others she had seen on Facebook.
“I just thought this would be really cool,” said Daley. “A lot of kids are into gaming and that might be a good way to connect with some kids who really struggle with maintaining attention.”
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A typical session lasts for 30 to 50 minutes depending on the student’s level and attention span.
Daley said the program has faced challenges since it started, including program pricing and student access to technology and the internet.
“I’ve tried to figure out a reasonable cost of lessons,” said Daley, “which is hard because it’s something that I have to do to make a living in the North. It’s something I think people shouldn’t have to pay for, because it should be education they’re getting in the schools, but it’s not quite happening that way.”
Even so, Daley said a large number of people have expressed an interest in her program, with clients contacting her from as far away as Ontario and Inuvik.
Daley told Cabin Radio she’s hoping to connect with schools and program support teachers across the territory to offer her services to kids and families that need them.
“I’m hoping that if it’s done through the school, the cost for families won’t be as much of a concern,” said Daley.
