Discussing Structured Literacy at a systems level is important to effect widespread change, but it’s also important to remember just how much learning to read can affect the trajectory of an individual human life. The story of 10th grader Jonah Marano, who was labeled a poor student early on and is now earning straight A’s, clearly shows why we do this work every day.

From pre-K through third grade, Jonah ranked in the bottom 5% of his class. Despite supportive teachers and a stable home, he fell further behind each year. It wasn’t until his family moved to Florida that he was formally diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, but even then, meaningful help was hard to find. After his mother learned about a school where teachers were trained in Orton-Gillingham, however, Jonah got his first real chance to thrive. Today, he’s a high-achieving student recognized for leadership and creativity, and he’s determined to help teachers get the training they deserve, so that thousands of other students can avoid the frustration he went through. 

This is how his literacy story changed. 

 

Same Ol’ Story

 

Jonah’s early schooling reflects a challenge that leaders know well, because it plays out around them every day: In public school settings where specialized training for teachers isn’t available, dyslexic students like Jonah tend to get overlooked or put into remedial categories that don’t fit their needs.

In Jonah’s case, his teachers cared deeply, as most do, but they lacked the specialized training needed to identify and support dyslexia. He was placed in non-gifted tracks, and formal evaluation was delayed until his learning deficits were so large they couldn’t be ignored. Jonah’s family was told he would need to be held back before the school could even begin any kind of meaningful intervention.

This approach is not uncommon. We know that without specialized training in evidence-based literacy instruction, teachers’ best intentions cannot keep students moving forward with their peers.

 

Expertise: The Catalyst for Change

 

Things turned around, almost overnight, when Jonah transferred to American Academy in Florida. There, every teacher was trained in IMSE’s Orton-Gillingham approach. Literacy instruction was delivered consistently and with fidelity across classrooms. Rather than being pulled out of class once in a while or given fragmented support, Jonah was finally taught to read within a system designed to support his needs.

The results mirrored those we’ve seen with other students who are exposed to Structured Literacy after years of struggle. Jonah learned to read, and his academic confidence grew. He began achieving good grades. As Jonah matured, he was able to recognize that his success was less about being “fixed” than about being taught the right way.

 

Paying It Forward

 

Amazed by how far he was able to go simply by receiving the right literacy instruction, Jonah felt inspired to make a difference. An avid artist, he began selling his paintings on Instagram and using the proceeds to fund IMSE teacher training for public school educators in his community, starting in early grades, where local principals have identified an especially urgent need.

His goal is to train as many teachers as possible, and the response has been overwhelming. Teachers have been moved to tears when they get their vouchers from his efforts. Through a partnership with the IMSE Foundation, each training scholarship Jonah funds is matched, doubling the reach and impact of his efforts.

 

A Leadership Imperative

 

Embedded within Jonah’s story is a lesson for education leaders. A single trained teacher can change countless student trajectories for the better, but leadership support is what enables sustained classroom success. Having consistent instruction across all tiers of instruction is what allowed Jonah to grow to his full potential, and that requires a good plan and good partnerships. As we look ahead, we know that lasting literacy improvement will depend on aligned systems, knowledge sharing, and leaders committed to making evidence-based instruction the norm.

To learn more about Jonah’s work or to support his efforts to expand access to high-quality literacy instruction, visit @jm_the_art_of_empowering.

 


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