ABOUT US
Southeast Reading Center, LLC exists for one reason: to help those who struggle with reading become confident, capable readers.
We provide a variety of screenings and assessments as well as structured literacy interventions for students who are struggling with reading, regardless of age or educational setting. That includes students learning in public schools, private schools, and homeschools.
Start with Understanding (Assessments & Screenings)
When reading isn't developing as expected, it can be difficult to know why and what to do next. Identifying areas of difficulty early can make an important difference. Many times we start first with one of these three assessments:
- Dyslexia Screening
Is there reason to look more closely?
Looks at foundational reading skills and identifies characteristics associated with dyslexia.
- Comprehensive Dyslexia Assessment
What does a deeper look at reading reveal?
Examines the student's reading profile and patterns of strengths and weaknesses associated with dyslexia.
- Comprehensive Educational Assessment
What does the bigger academic picture look like?
Looks beyond literacy to assess academic achievement, including reading, writing, and mathematics, providing a broader picture of the student's strengths and areas of need.
Learn More About Our Assessments
The results of these screenings and assessments inform instruction, allowing us to develop an individualized reading plan based on the student—not simply on their age, grade level, or the curriculum they are using.
Some parents come to us after assessments have been performed. In those cases where a recent assessment has been completed, we will help interpret these results and together we lay out a plan to close the gaps identified.
Specialized Instruction for Struggling Readers
Our intervention services focus on students with mild to moderate reading and expressive language difficulties, including students with dyslexia, dysgraphia and those who are at risk for reading-related learning disabilities. Many of the students we serve perform below the 25th percentile in reading compared to national norms. But a number on a test never tells the whole story. Our goal is to understand what is getting in the way of literacy development and provide the explicit, systematic instruction needed to address those areas.
Our interventionists use structured literacy approaches, including the Wilson Reading System®, to provide carefully sequenced, cumulative, multisensory instruction. A diagnosis of dyslexia may provide important information about a student's learning profile, but a dyslexia diagnosis is not required to benefit from structured literacy intervention or the Wilson Reading System®. If a student is struggling to learn to read, that's enough reason to seek understanding and support.
We know that every family makes educational decisions based on what they believe is best for their child. For some, that means a public or private school. For others, it means homeschooling. Our services are provided in person, live remote 1:1 sessions, utilizing a platform like Zoom® and when appropriate we will provide interventions in small groups of three to four students.
We can help you understand your child's reading skills, identify areas that need attention, and determine what meaningful support can look like—whether that means intervention with us, screenings and assessments to guide your instruction and support, or simply a clearer understanding of where to go next. We don't believe you should have to navigate literacy difficulties alone.
You know your child. We know literacy. Together let's create a path forward that helps your child become a confident, capable reader.
Is there reason to look more closely?
Looks at foundational reading skills and identifies characteristics associated with dyslexia.
What does a deeper look at reading reveal?
Examines the student's reading profile and patterns of strengths and weaknesses associated with dyslexia.
What does the bigger academic picture look like?
Looks beyond literacy to assess academic achievement, including reading, writing, and mathematics, providing a broader picture of the student's strengths and areas of need.
We can help you understand your child's reading skills, identify areas that need attention, and determine what meaningful support can look like—whether that means intervention with us, screenings and assessments to guide your instruction and support, or simply a clearer understanding of where to go next. We don't believe you should have to navigate literacy difficulties alone.
You know your child. We know literacy. Together let's create a path forward that helps your child become a confident, capable reader.
CALL US TODAY: 423.763.1555
Allison McAvoy, M.Ed., W.D.T.
Allison is the co-founder and director of Southeast Reading Center, LLC, which she established in 2014. Now entering its eleventh year of operation, the Center continues to serve as a leading resource for evidence-based literacy instruction and educator training in the region.
Before opening Southeast Reading Center, Allison had a long and distinguished career as a special education professional with the Hamilton County Department of Education, where she worked directly with students and rose to leadership roles, training and mentoring other teachers.
By the time she retired from the Hamilton County Department of Education, Allison had already earned her credentials as a Wilson® Credentialed Trainer and Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist, certifications she has maintained and expanded upon for many years. Continuing her professional growth, she pursued additional training in Orton-Gillingham methodologies and the broader science of reading. Drawing on her deep understanding of state and federal special education regulations, Allison now designs and leads professional development that helps educators build collaborative teams, implement effective reading programs, and create high-quality individualized education plans. She also provides workshops and individualized coaching for teachers pursuing Wilson Reading System® Level I and Level II certifications.
As Director of Curriculum at Southeast Reading Center, Allison works closely with staff to strengthen their expertise in multisensory structured literacy instruction. Beyond the Center, she has served as Director for District 3 of the Tennessee International Dyslexia Association® (TNIDA) and the Tennessee Department of Education's Dyslexia Advisory Council which is responsible for guiding the implementation of the state's dyslexia law which includes "Say Dyslexia" initiative.
Allison’s passion for literacy remains the heart of her work. She continues to engage directly with students, conducting educational assessments and language-based learning screenings to support each learner’s growth and success.
Scarlet Farr, B.S., W.D.P.
Scarlet brings a many decades of business and technical expertise to the Center in her role as Director of Operations. She is instrumental in developing systems that streamline day-to-day operations and in designing solutions that enhance learning for both in-person and remote instruction.
As a Wilson® Level I certified Dyslexia Practitioner, Scarlet provides direct, structured literacy instruction to struggling readers. She has expanded her expertise through training in Fundations® and through comprehensive Orton-Gillingham coursework with the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE). Scarlet is currently completing her group practicum and expected to finish in 2026. This is the final step toward earning her Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist credentials.
Drawing on her solid instructional background and evidence-based training, Scarlet skillfully implements tier three interventions, guiding students toward measurable growth, increased confidence and lasting success.
Lisa Weikel, M.Ed, W.D.P.
Lisa serves as a Structured Literacy Interventionist for Southeast Reading Center, where she is dedicated to helping each student achieve their individual literacy goals since 2023. She is passionate about building students’ confidence through targeted instruction and by teaching strategies that strengthen reading and spelling skills.
With 27 years of elementary classroom experience, Lisa brings a wealth of instructional knowledge to her work. She holds both a B.A. and M.Ed. from Emory & Henry University and has continued to expand her professional expertise by completing Wilson® Level I certification. She has earned the distinguished credential of Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner and is fully prepared to implement Wilson Reading System® Steps 1–6 with students reading and spelling below grade level, including those with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia.
Steven Hinkle, M.A.
Steven brings more than 20 years of elementary classroom teaching experience to his role as a Structured Literacy Interventionist at Southeast Reading Center. His passion for literacy instruction and student success led him to serve as a Literacy Coach for the Hamilton County Department of Education, where for nine years he supported educators in deepening their knowledge of effective reading instruction. Following his success in that role, Steven joined Southeast Reading Center—an addition the Center celebrates wholeheartedly.
Steven joined our mission in 2023 after retiring from Hamilton County and has recently earned his Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner credentials and skillfully implements Wilson Reading System® Steps 1–6 with students reading and spelling below grade level, including those diagnosed with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia. His depth of classroom experience and structured literacy expertise continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of the students he serves.
