Rachel Shank

Rachel Shank is a Dyslexia Therapist and Director of HJI at Spring Valley School, holding a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University. Her teaching career spans various roles: she taught Kindergarten at Sylacauga City Schools (2015-2017) and at Harmony School of Innovation in Carrollton, TX (2017-2019), before becoming a First and Fourth-grade teacher at Spring Valley School from 2019 to 2023. Since 2023, she has focused on dyslexia therapy.

Rachel is a Certified Academic Language Therapist - Candidate (CALT-C) and a Google Certified Educator, Level 2. In her personal life, she enjoys reading and hiking, setting a reading goal each year. She and her husband take their one-year-old son on monthly hikes, which they affectionately call their "Hike of the Month."

One of Rachel's favorite aspects of teaching at SVS is witnessing the genuineness of her students, who are learning to enjoy school again and embracing their individual journeys. She finds joy in celebrating their achievements, especially when students complete one of the three books of Neuhaus. To motivate her groups, she often uses visuals, like coloring boxes for each completed concept, making the learning process engaging and fun.

Rachel wishes people understood how bright and creative her students are, emphasizing their many strengths due to their unique brain wiring. She highlights a common myth about dyslexia: that it goes away once children learn to read. Instead, she explains that dyslexia is a lifelong learning difference, but with the right tools, individuals can be successful. She strives to create a safe environment where students feel comfortable exploring, asking for help, and celebrating