Southfield School

New Avenues Dyslexia Program

Southfield’s New Avenues Dyslexia Program serves as a “school within a school” opportunity for students in Grades K-4 to receive core literary instruction in small groups by Orton-Gillingham certified teachers.

This program allows students to close the gap between their cognitive potential and their academic potential, while our teachers continue working to develop a lifelong love of learning in each child.

Meet New Avenues’ Instructors

Jennifer Fortune, Reading and Dyslexia Program Specialist

Jennifer joined Southfield School in 2006 as the Reading Specialist. She has a BA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and over 28 years’ experience in education. Both her son and daughter attended Southfield School.

After years of being a classroom teacher, Jennifer realized that she had a passion for helping students that struggle with reading disabilities, such as dyslexia. In 2004, Jennifer completed her practicum and received her certification as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Wilson Reading System is an Orton-Gillingham based program designed for dyslexic students. Recently, Jennifer became an Associate in Training with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and is completing the practicum to become a Certified Associate.

Donna Mitchell, Reading and Dyslexia Program Specialist

Donna joined Southfield School in October 2017. She earned her BA in Speech and Language and is a Hearing Specialist. Donna has 33 years prior experience in Caddo Parish Schools as a Speech Pathologist. Her daughter is a Southfield alum.

This August, Donna completed her training and became an Associate in Training with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. In 2022, she plans to complete the practicum to become a Certified Associate.