My name is Jennifer Jones, and I have been an educator for 30 years. I provide dyslexia instruction for fourth and fifth grade students.  I strive to be an advocate for my students and encourage communication between home and school. Please contact me at jonesj@harmonyisd.net  or (903) 725-7707 ext. 330 with whatever concerns or questions you may have regarding your child's education.

The MTA (Multisensory Teaching Approach) is a structured literacy program designed to help students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. It uses a multisensory approach, engaging visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways, to teach reading, spelling, and other language skills. MTA is grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach and aligns with the Science of Reading. 

Key features of the MTA program:

• Multisensory instruction:
  MTA explicitly incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning techniques to enhance memory and understanding. 

• Structured and systematic:
  The curriculum is organized in a sequential manner, building upon previously learned concepts and skills. 

• Explicit and direct teaching:
  MTA provides clear and concise instructions for each skill, minimizing ambiguity and maximizing student success. 

• Focus on foundational skills:
  The program emphasizes foundational literacy skills such as phonics, decoding, and spelling. 

• Built-in assessments:
  MTA includes regular assessments to track student progress and identify areas needing further support. 

• Alignment with the Science of Reading:
  MTA's methodology aligns with the principles of the Science of Reading, which emphasizes the importance of phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in reading development. 

• Meets Texas Dyslexia Handbook guidelines:
  The MTA curriculum meets or exceeds the requirements outlined in the Texas Education Agency's Dyslexia Handbook, according to Amplio Learning. 

• Comprehensive curriculum:
  MTA covers various aspects of language arts, including alphabet and dictionary skills, reading, reading comprehension, cursive handwriting, and spelling. 

Implementation and Resources:

• MTA Kits:
  The program is typically delivered through a series of kits, each containing teaching instructions, practice materials, and review cards. 

• Teacher Training:
  Educators are required to complete intense training to effectively implement the MTA program. 

• Individualized Learning:
  MTA can be adapted to meet the specific needs of individual students. 

In summary, the MTA program provides a structured, multisensory approach to teaching reading and language skills to students with dyslexia, grounded in the Orton-Gillingham method and aligned with the Science of Reading.