About Us
Please allow us to introduce our CCI Team and tell you a little about who we are. Our trainers are knowledgeable and passionate about training teachers to engage all learners and successfully teach structured language in the classroom.
Unlocking
Children's
We are focused on Unlocking Children’s Unlimited Potential Through Reading. We believe the key is to train teachers in multi-sensory, structured, sequential language.
Unlimited Potential
“When children learn how language is structured, they can read anything!” ~ Nancy Williams, Director, Children’s Choice Initiative.
Through Reading
The key to elevating standardized testing results is to raise literacy rates first. Children’s Choice Initiative offers this key to you!
Our Story
Our CCI team traces its roots to a fantastic program teaching reading to children diagnosed with dyslexia. The Children’s Dyslexia Center, a program sponsored by the Scottish Rite Masons, has an amazing track record as they continue to change lives through multi-sensory, structured and sequential reading instruction. Year after year, results show students graduating from the program reading at or well above grade level 92.4% of the time!
Our passion is to reverse declining literacy rates in Michigan and move our state from 48th in the nation to number one! The success of our story is told through the lives of children who now have a much greater opportunity to succeed in life because of increased reading skills. Yet, this story is far from completion. With every new Michigan school district that becomes part of our growing family, we are adding another successful chapter to this epic tale of changing lives and improving rates of literacy across the state!
Nancy Williams
We are proud to have Nancy Williams as our Lead Trainer and Director of Children’s Choice Initiative. She also plays an integral part of our Curriculum Development Team. In addition, Nancy continues to lead the Children’s Dyslexia Center – Great Lakes Bay Region where she has served as Center Director since 2014. She has logged thousands of hours of tutoring and training on her path to earning certification as an advanced trainer in multi-sensory, structured, sequential language instruction. Nancy received her Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from Marygrove College, and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education – Cognitive Impairment from Michigan State University.
Sherry Dillbeck
Sherry is a passionate part of our training team and has also worked as a tutor/trainer at Children’s Dyslexia Center – Great Lakes Bay Region since 2005. Her experience in education also includes her time as Director of Testing at Midland Academy. Through her educational pursuits, she has over 2,000 hours as a tutor and trainer. Sherry earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Illinois State University and her Advanced Trainer Certification in Orton-Gillingham methods.
Brad Williams
Brad Williams plays a leading role on our Curriculum Development Team and also assists with training. Brad has worked in the public school system since 1992 as both a Special Education teacher and Middle School Counselor. He has authored several children’s books and continues to be an avid writer today. Brad earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling at Central Michigan University and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education – Cognitive Impairment at Michigan State University.