Hi!  We are Alison Downey and Kara Schommer, co-founders of RALLIE READING. We are so happy you're here!

Our story starts in 2020 while Alison was working as a Learning Resource Coordinator and Kara was working as a third grade teacher. Both of us received our Orton-Gillingham certification prior to 2020 and quickly bonded over this, as well as our shared experiences as classroom teachers, learning specialists, and private literacy tutors. With the alarming statistics of reading proficiency levels and seeing the disconnect between curriculum and science backed research in the classroom, we knew something had to be done. Together, we dreamed of creating a reading curriculum that could reach all learners, no matter where they were on their reading journey. In 2021, RALLIE READING was born.

RALLIE READING is a cumulative, explicit, phonics-based literacy curriculum that can be used in the general education classroom for students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. It also serves as an intervention curriculum for students of any age. We started by piloting the program at a private school where the K-3 teachers are using the curriculum in their classrooms. It is wonderful to see the great successes the teachers are having with their students. We as practitioners also use the RALLIE READING curriculum materials to create individualized lessons for students in small groups and 1:1 tutoring sessions. 

We are constantly researching best practices when it comes to reading. We love to create and find innovative ways to help students learn. In addition to developing RALLIE READING, we offer individualized tutoring sessions for students. We typically work with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or any struggling learners to provide literacy-based intervention. Kara also offers specialized math tutoring. To learn more about us and what we offer, check out our biography pages. 

We look forward to connecting with you. Happy reading!

Alison and Kara