Notice. Know. Grow.
My Story
Hello! My name is Jill Gaughan. I am a proud mother, wife, educator, advocate, creator, and a Growing Word Noticer!
Many people look at the spelling of my last name and often wonder how it's pronounced. Though today my family name is pronounced /g É‘ n /, at some point in history it may have been spoken differently. This evolution is an example of copious amounts of names and words that were adopted and adapted into the English language. Pronunciations of words shift over time, but the core sense and meaning from which they are rooted still lingers today in their written spelling just like my family's name! Welcome to my website where I will share my joy for learning, creating, and Growing Word Noticers!
Background
During my first year as an educator, I encountered a brilliant student with an inability to read and write. Determined to help him and other future students, I sought an intensive training in a
Multi-Sensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) approach called Orton-Gillingham.
After this experience, I set off on a path of scholarship that I continue to follow, advocate for, and share with others.
Experience
I started my career as an educator in the year 2000 after receiving dual degrees in both Elementary and Special Education. Since then, I have worked as a Dyslexia Practitioner as well as an Intervention and Reading Specialist. During my time teaching in both public and private school settings, I earned my Masters degree in Reading Education, Ohio Reading Endorsement, Scottish Rite Certification from IMSLEC (International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council) and Ceri-Certification as a Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist
(C-SLDS) through the IDA (International Dyslexia Association). I have served as a trainer for individuals receiving Initial certification in Multi-Sensory Structured Language Education and I have served on the Board of the Ohio Valley International Dyslexia Association Branch.
In 2013, I dove deeper into the study of English Orthography with exceptional mentors from around the world. Since then, word inquiry is incorportated into my practice with students as we work together to discover English language concepts, the English writing system and grow together as Word Noticers- a term coined by Fiona Hamilton!
Purpose
My mission is to use my gifts in order to foster the emerging talents of others so that they realize their true potential and importance in our world. This website is a collection of literacy materials and orthographic stories inspired by my mentors, students, and my own quests into English Orthography. As scholars, we constantly refine our current understanding. My Treasure Trove of orthographic stories and learning materials will continue to be modified as new learning occurs along my Word-Noticing journey.
Dig into The Treasure Trove!
Explore the collection of orthographic stories and creative learning materials for growing scholars!