Hello, I'm Christi Kubeck

I am a Dyslexia Specialist. After completing my masters degree in Reading Education, I began teaching Kindergarten and first grade in public school. This is where I discovered a passion for struggling readers. I couldn't quite pinpoint the reason my students were unable to read until I began my journey with Orton-Gillingham and Structured Literacy. I spent the next decade working to align my literacy instruction with the Science of Reading specifically focused on dyslexia and other language-based learning disorders.

Along the way, I experimented with using innovative and assistive technology to support my students. The combination of strong explicit literacy instruction and appropriate use of assistive technology was a game changer for me and my students. I saw an increase in attention, motivation, collaboration and success in my classroom. Of course, I had to spread the word! So I began to present at literacy conferences, showing teachers how to scaffold lessons appropriately, balance technology use in the classroom and use assistive technology to create student independence. This is how I earned my title as an Apple Distinguished Educator. As an ADE, I assist others in designing lesson plans that transform teaching through technology.

THIS IS MY STORY...

My first teaching job was in kindergarten. I had a class of 20, with about a third of my students already behind grade level. Yep, you heard me ONE THIRD. We used the Workshop model and a program called Breakthrough to Literacy. Our classrooms were filled with book baskets of “predictable readers,” where students learned to guess words from the first letter and picture clues to “move up” in levels. Year after year, I poured my heart into helping my kids, working with them in small groups, meeting them one-on-one, even tutoring after school.

Guess what I didn’t do? Yep. You guessed it. I never incorporated phonics. None of us did. 🤦🏼‍♀️NO ONE taught me to teach phonics! When students struggled, my only solution was more guessing, more pictures, more first-letter clues.

I thought I was doing all I could, but I was SO WRONG.

Then, one day, everything changed.

I saw a Facebook post from my cousin, who shared that his son was struggling to read. My cousin and his wife tried everything, but it wasn’t until their son received Orton-Gillingham tutoring that he began to thrive. My cousin had chosen their school district in Atlanta because of its stellar reputation, and yet his son still wasn’t learning to read properly. Why wasn’t the school teaching the skills he needed?

I could relate because I felt like I was failing my students.

That post changed my career. I signed up for an Orton-Gillingham course that summer, and an entirely new world opened up. The instructor seemed to be describing the very students I’d taught all those years. I learned that there is an order, a sequence to teaching reading skills, and I realized my students were missing the very basics they needed to decode words.

They hadn’t been given the tools they deserved—and neither had I.

From that course forward, I soaked up everything I could, going deeper and deeper into the Science of Reading. When I returned to the classroom, I changed my instruction immediately. My students were no longer guessing—they were reading! It was the biggest transformation of my career. My confidence grew, my students’ success skyrocketed, and I knew I had to share this with others. ONCE YOU KNOW, YOU MUST GO… TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN! 📣

A PROVEN SOLUTION

What People are Saying

Christi's coaching through Literacy Lane has shown me that it's okay to try, fail, reassess, and grow stronger. Learning something new is such a vulnerable thing to do, especially for teachers who are expected to know everything all the time. With every step of the learning journey, Christi shows her mentees grace and surrounds them with encouragement. Whether I needed something simple like a word list or a time-consuming support like an extra observation or in-depth conversation about a student, Christi has always followed through with her support. Because she is so consistent, humble, and knowledgeable, I feel comfortable taking risks and challenging myself to do more for my students.

Sarah

"I saw children struggling to read and spell at our school. We used balanced literacy strategies and lessons that were not working. Christi taught us how to increase all components of literacy into our reading instruction. She didn’t shy away from students with learning differences. She ran toward them. Christi was also prescriptive in her training. She reads the room, understands the needs of the teachers and responds. Christi was willing and available to help with issues no matter how big or small."

Jenny

"Christi’s has a thorough and thoughtful approach to coaching. She didn’t just train us and leave us. Christi is approachable, available, encouraging and knowledgeable. I have adapted my instruction and see great results with my first graders."

Stephanie

"My daughter was struggling with reading and her self-esteem was declining. We used many reading programs and tutors with minimal results. But we needed a specialized tutor that understood how her brain was wired. After the first session with Christi, my daughter told me that she actually had fun reading. Now my daughter is confidently reading on grade level as a successful sixth grader, with straight A’s. Christi is a knowledgeable, fun, compassionate, engaging educator. I wish I would have started with her from the beginning."

Jennifer

My Mission

Start your journey with Literacy Lane!

My goal is not only to encourage the discouraged teacher, but to give practical evidence-based strategies that work for your students. I want to build your confidence and creativity as an educator so that you cultivate skilled readers.