How It All Began: The Nashville Dyslexia Center Origin Story

How It All Began: The Nashville Dyslexia Center Origin Story

Hey there! If you’ve ever felt that sinking feeling in your stomach while watching your child struggle to read a simple sentence, I want you to know something right away: I’ve been there too. Not just as an educator, but as someone who sat in a classroom and felt like I was failing the very children I was supposed to protect.

Before Nashville Dyslexia Center was even a thought, I was a teacher with a heart full of passion and a classroom full of bright, capable kids. But there was a recurring heartbreak. I saw them. The students who worked twice as hard as their peers but stayed stuck on the same page. The kids who would look at a word like “cat” and see a mountain they couldn’t climb.

I’ll be honest: early in my career, I didn’t always have the answers. I had the degree and the drive, but the traditional system didn’t give me the tools to truly unlock the door for a child with dyslexia. That realization, that “failure” to reach every student, is exactly what sparked the fire that became NDC.

The Day Everything Changed: June 19, 2018

On June 19, 2018, my husband Steven and I decided we couldn’t just keep watching from the sidelines. We officially launched the Nashville Dyslexia Center.

It wasn’t about building a massive corporation. It was about creating a lifeline. We saw that the “one-size-fits-all” approach of the school system was leaving too many brilliant minds behind. We wanted to offer something different, something individualized, evidence-based, and, most importantly, something that actually worked.

Slow, inaccurate reading. Messy handwriting. Tears over homework. We knew these weren’t just academic hurdles; they were heartaches for families. We decided that “good enough” wasn’t good enough anymore.

Meet Your Guides to Reading Success

You’re probably wondering, “Who are these people behind the screen?” Well, we’re just two educators who fell in love with the idea that every child has a “reading lightbulb”, sometimes you just need a specialized electrician to find the switch.

Erin Paske: The Heart and the Science

I’ve spent my life teaching. From the public schools of Wisconsin to private schools in St. Louis and Franklin, I’ve seen it all. I even spent six years working as a private teacher for high-net-worth families, including pro athletes and entrepreneurs.

That experience was eye-opening. It showed me the power of individualized instruction. When you can tailor a lesson to exactly how a child’s brain works, the progress is explosive. But I didn’t want that kind of success to be a “secret” held only by the elite. I wanted to bring that level of specialized dyslexia therapy to every family who needed it.

Today, I’m deep in my Ph.D. in Literacy Studies, focusing specifically on reading disabilities. I’m a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist. Why? Because your child deserves an expert, not just a “tutor.”

Steven Paske: The Vision and the Support

Steven is my partner in life and in this mission. With his background in public and private school teaching and leadership, he understands the “big picture” of education. He’s the one building relationships in the community and ensuring that Nashville Dyslexia Center stays true to its roots.

Like me, Steven is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. He’s right there in the trenches, tutoring students and helping families navigate the often-confusing world of school accommodations and advocacy. He’s a board member for the Tennessee Branch of the International Dyslexia Association because he believes the work doesn’t stop at our “virtual” front door.

Why Does Our Story Matter to You?

When we started NDC, we didn’t just want to teach kids to read; we wanted to restore their confidence. Dyslexia isn’t a lack of intelligence, it’s just a different way of processing language.

Wait, what exactly is “Individualized Dyslexia Therapy”?
Think of it this way: traditional school is like a group fitness class where everyone does the same workout. For a child with dyslexia, that workout might be impossible. Our therapy is like having a personal trainer for your brain. We use evidence-based strategies (like the Orton-Gillingham approach) to break down language into its smallest parts and rebuild it in a way that sticks.

Is it too late for my child?
Rest assured, it is never too late. Whether your child is in second grade or eighth grade, their brain is capable of incredible growth. We focus on measurable results, moving from “I can’t” to “I just did!”

 

Questions We Hear All the Time

“How do I know if it’s actually dyslexia?”
This is the big one. Many parents spend years in a “wait and see” pattern. We always tell them: don’t wait for the school to fail your child before you seek answers. We offer Tests of Dyslexia to provide a clear diagnostic index. Clarity is the first step toward confidence.

“Does online tutoring really work for kids who struggle to focus?”
Believe it or not, yes! Our online sessions are one-on-one and highly engaging. There are no distractions from other students, and our tutors are experts at keeping kids focused and moving through the material. Plus, you get to skip the Nashville traffic. It’s a win-win.

“What makes your tutors different?”
Our team isn’t just made up of “helpers.” They are highly qualified specialists, many of whom are ALTA Certified. They understand the science of reading. They see your child for who they are: a brilliant mind that just needs a different map.

Our Mission: Transforming Struggles into Success Stories

Since that summer day in 2018, our mission hasn’t changed. We are here to provide hope.

When a parent tells us their child picked up a book to read “just for fun” for the first time, or when a student who used to cry during spelling tests wins the school spelling bee, that’s why we do this. We’ve seen kids transform from defeated and discouraged into resilient, empowered learners.

We know you’re overwhelmed. We know you’ve tried “everything.” But we want you to know that there is a path forward.

Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to stop the guessing game and start the journey toward reading success, we’re here for you. You can reach out to us directly to chat about your child’s needs.

Contact Us Today

Your child is capable of so much more than they realize. Let’s help them discover it together.

Stay hopeful,
Erin & Steven Paske