Meet Welsley

Hi everyone! I’m Welsley Jongko, a mom of two boys, wife to Aaron, and passionate about helping kids learn to read. My journey began in childhood when I knew I wanted to become a teacher, despite struggling with reading myself. I distinctly remember pretending to read, while actually having no idea what was on the page. I failed AR test after AR test and prayed I wouldn’t be called on to read aloud.

Fast forward to college, where I worked incredibly hard to get into the University of Georgia, despite my reading challenges. I completed the education program and accepted my first job as a 4th-grade teacher, but I had no clue how to teach my students to read. Following a curriculum that didn’t meet their needs, I decided to pursue a master’s in Reading Education. This, along with Striving Readers training, gave me my first insights into how kids learn to read and what was missing in my teaching.

A few years later, after getting married and moving to a new city and school, my principal sent me to IMSE Orton-Gillingham training. I became obsessed, and for the first time, I realized I might be dyslexic. Teaching OG to my students also made me a better, faster reader!

Flash forward again to a new city, new school (same district), and a new baby. I became a literacy coach and started LETRS training. My eyes were opened wide to the science of reading! Everything I knew kids needed was finally being confirmed by science and research. All the things I needed as a kid were finally taking shape in education.

I love serving as an Orton Gillingham Reading Tutor and supporting students both virtually and in person. I am a firm believer in the science of reading and the right to literacy for all!