Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Fotis.
Hi Kari, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was a special education teacher in York County, VA for about 20 years before I took an early retirement and went into private practice, opening Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center (HRDC) in the fall of 2020.
When I graduated from William and Mary, one of my professors gave some important advice: anytime your school offers any specialized training in reading, raise your hand to go. In the world of special education, you have students with a large variety of needs — social, emotional, and academic. But nearly all of those students will need help in reading. So when my first principal asked if anyone wanted to get certified in the Wilson Reading System, I quickly raised my hand. I remember sitting in that first training and realizing how much I didn’t know about how struggling readers actually learn — it was humbling, and it hooked me immediately. The knowledge and skills I gained with my Wilson certification would change the trajectory of my life, and more importantly, the lives of my students. Wilson’s tagline simply says, “Wilson Works,” and it’s true. I went on to earn the highest level of certification as a Wilson Dyslexia Therapist and became a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist through the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI), a subsidiary of the International Dyslexia Association.
The more I learned about dyslexia and literacy, the more I wanted to learn. Dyslexia became my passion — the identification of it and the treatment for it. Throughout my years of teaching in the public school system, I tutored after school, and while I was tired after a full day of teaching, I was always energized once I began my one-on-one sessions because the students made such amazing gains. It was addicting to see my students not only become proficient readers, but blossom from kids who doubted their intelligence into kids who believed in themselves and their abilities. I knew one day I wanted to tutor full time.
As COVID-19 broke out and schools shut down, the time arrived. I received a call from a local neurologist looking for someone to provide testing for autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. Leaving 20 years of public teaching to open my own practice in the middle of a pandemic was daunting, but it also felt like the moment I’d been quietly preparing for all along. I accepted the opportunity and opened Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center. HRDC has been in business for six years now and continues to grow. We are the only center in this area that offers wrap-around services for our families: testing and diagnosing of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia; one-on-one evidence-based interventions delivered by fully certified specialists; and advocacy services for our students and their families. We currently serve approximately sixty students per year and are always looking to add certified specialists so we can help more children.
I loved my years of teaching in the public school system, and being able to reach so many students and families in a private setting has been every bit as rewarding — there’s nothing quite like watching a family exhale with relief the day their child is finally given a real path forward. Literacy is a human right.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, opening the business has been surprisingly smooth for someone who had absolutely no knowledge of how to open or run a business. A lot of that is due to the incredibly supportive and knowledgeable people in my life, both personally and professionally. My husband and children are my biggest cheerleaders and hype me up when my imposter syndrome rears its ugly head. Dr. Ronald David, the neurologist who hired me to provide testing for his practice, became a dear friend and mentor. He allowed me to lease his building at a reduced rate because he believed in what I was building and wanted to see the business succeed. I also had the support of former colleagues who jumped in to teach when our waiting list continued to grow.
But that doesn’t mean it’s all been easy. One of my biggest challenges was the bookkeeping and paperwork. I quickly realized I was over my head and took the advice of those who had gone before me in a Facebook group called Tutoring Success Academy (TSA). This group has been invaluable to me and many other teachers who are looking to build a business. They recommended hiring out the tasks you’re not good at and that keep you away from the tasks that build your business and bring you joy. So I hired the best program manager around, Ms. Marti Caldwell, who keeps us running like a well-oiled machine.
I think the biggest ongoing challenge is trying to keep our prices affordable while still charging enough to stay in business and attract the highly qualified specialists we need. It’s a balance I’m constantly working on rather than one I’ve solved — but it’s one I take seriously, because I never want cost to be the reason a family can’t get their child the help they need.
We’ve been impressed with Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Hampton Roads Dyslexia Center (HRDC) provides testing and diagnosing of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. We also provide one-on-one, intensive, evidence-based interventions for struggling students. You do not have to be diagnosed with a disability to receive services with us — we help any and all struggling students (and adults)! We also provide advocacy services for our families if they need help navigating the special education process: eligibility, developing appropriate IEPs/504s, and progress monitoring.
Our tutoring services are provided by fully certified teachers who are also certified in one or more of the methods the IDA recommends for struggling readers and those with dyslexia, such as the Wilson Reading System, EBLI, LETRS, and Orton-Gillingham. The highly specialized training of our teachers, combined with our testing, diagnostic, and advocacy services, is what sets us apart — we’re not just a tutoring company, we’re a full-service center for identifying and treating learning differences.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is the growth of our students and the goodwill and reputation HRDC has built in our community. Reading our Google reviews is humbling and heartwarming. Whether it’s testing, tutoring, or advocacy, we’re making a real difference in the lives of families here.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are always looking to collaborate and build our network! We provide virtual tutoring as well as in-person tutoring, and we are always looking to add to our team. So if you are certified in an Orton-Gillingham method of instruction and want to work with us, please reach out to info@hamptonroadsdyslexiacenter.com. We recently partnered with Little Ruth Books to help develop literacy modules to accompany their Learning Labs, which is a new type of partnership for us — so we are open to any opportunities and collaborations that move the needle forward for literacy!
And if you’re a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about literacy, we’d love to connect with you too. You can find us at hamptonroadsdyslexiacenter.com or follow along on Facebook for tips, updates, and a look at what we do. Support doesn’t have to mean a formal partnership — sharing our page, sending a family our way, or simply spreading the word about dyslexia awareness all make a real difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hamptonroadsdyslexiacenter.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hamptonroadsdyslexiacenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HamptonRoadsDyslexiaCenter
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-fotis-99b53315
