The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts by Patricia Davids (all ebook reader .txt) 📕

is by having a dyslexia-friendly classroom, one that encourages dyslexic students to find their strengths and follow their interests.”

Eva sat back. “All this is new to me. Can you explain what you mean?”

“Dyslexic-friendly means things like using colors to highlight different parts of speech. One thing that has been found to be effective is tactile learning. By using something as simple as a tray of sand the student can say the letter and write the letter in the sand with his finger over and over. It reinforces learning in a different part of the brain.”

“Teacher has been having me do that,” Otto said.

The woman smiled. “Excellent start.”

Willis listened intently to what the women were saying. What did it mean for him if he had this problem, too?

Mrs. Kenworthy looked straight at Otto. “Children with dyslexia often believe they are stupid, but they aren’t. Not by a long shot.”

Willis fought against the hope rising in his heart. Was it possible that he had dyslexia and that was why he couldn’t read? Maybe he wasn’t ignorant or stupid. Maybe it was because his brain didn’t recognize the squiggly lines as words. After all the years of believing he was inferior it was hard to wrap his mind around the fact that he might not be.

If he could learn to read, he could hold his head up in front of a congregation and preach from the Good Book. He could take a wife and not worry that she would be ashamed of him. It would mean he could keep better records for his business. It meant he could admit his love for Eva. The hope unfolding in his chest was almost painful.

“What else should I do?” Eva asked.

“Read aloud to your students. Show them your love of reading and books. Make it part of every school day. Encourage the parents to do the same.”

Danny leaned against the corner of Eva’s desk. “Are there some things that a teacher shouldn’t do?”

“Never ask a dyslexic child to read aloud in front of classmates. It only serves to shame and embarrass them. We are learning more about this problem every year. Thousands of people live with this disorder. Most of them go on to become successful individuals. But it takes a lot of work.”

“What about a grown-up who has dyslexia?” Harley asked. “Can they learn to read?”

Janet nodded. “Many young adults with dyslexia do learn to read but not rapidly or easily.”

Harley frowned. “But if they can’t read at all, can they learn with help?”

Janet smiled sadly. “It is much more difficult to retrain an adult brain. It can be done but it takes years of work and therapy. Even with that it is unlikely that they will be proficient readers.”

Willis swallowed hard. The memory of the humiliation he had endured in school and from his so-called friends burned in the pit of his stomach.

“But it is possible?” Harley asked looking at Willis.

Janet nodded. “It is possible.”

Willis rubbed his hands on his pant legs. He wasn’t afraid of hard work. Not if a life with Eva was his reward.

Eva caught Willis smiling at her and she had to look away from the warmth in his gaze for fear she would start blushing. She was afraid the others would notice so she hugged the books Janet had given her to her chest.

Willis cleared his throat. “I’d better get going.”

Eva followed him to the door. “When you get back from Portland will you put shoes on Maddie’s pony? She is constantly asking me to remind you.”

Willis’s smile disappeared. He looked at her with sorrow-filled eyes. “Maddie doesn’t have a pony anymore. Her pony was pulling the cart when her Mamm and Daed were struck by a semi. Her pony was killed, too.”

Eva pressed a hand to her heart. “The poor baby. No wonder she has a make-believe friend. Bubble can’t be hurt.”

“Thanks to you she is making real friends again. When I get back I have something I need to tell you.”

She tipped her head to the side. “Can’t you tell me now?”

“Nee, when we are alone,” he said quietly with a glance at the others watching them. He settled his hat on his head and left.

That evening Eva went to the swing set instead of staying at home. She knew Willis was gone. She had seen him leave with Dale in his yellow pickup an hour ago. She prayed Willis’s trip would be successful. He was determined to provide for his family, and she loved him for it.

She pushed herself back and forth with one foot as darkness descended. The swing was the place she felt closest to Willis. She missed his engaging conversations more than anything. She missed the way he looked her and the way he smiled at her. She touched her lips with her fingertips. Would he ever kiss her again? He cared. She knew that, but was it love? Was that what he wanted to tell her? She hugged her secret hope close to her heart.

When she entered the house sometime later she found Danny raiding her cookie jar with a tall glass of milk in one hand. His eyebrows drew together. “Where have you been?”

“Enjoying the evening. Why are you still up?”

“I just wanted to tell you I understand why you are drawn to teaching, Eva. I never thought about it before, but I see how rewarding it can be. You have opened my eyes.”

“Danki. Hand me a cookie, please.”

He held one out. “Eat it first, and then I’ll tell you about your letter.”

“From Gene?”

“Yup.”

“Put my cookie back. I’ve lost my appetite. Where is it?”

“On the table by your rocker.”

“Did you open it to see what he says?”

“I don’t open other people’s mail. What kind of snoop do you think I am?”

“I’m sorry. When will you be leaving?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“Look on the bright side. You might be coming with me.”

His joke wasn’t funny. She went into her sitting room and picked up the letter. Drawing a deep breath,