How I Got Here: The Journey to Bee's Knees Literacy 

Hi! Thank you for visiting my website!

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I’m Kea Herron, MA (TESOL), ABD in a PhD Doctorate (International Education & Education Policy), Orton-Gillingham Certified, and founder of Bee’s Knees Literacy, LLC. Let me tell you a bit about myself, so you can see how I got here and why I do what I do.

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Since I was a child, I’ve loved language; I’m now multilingual (French, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and more). My competence in French led me to a year of university study in France and three years as a US Peace Corps Volunteer, teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Bénin, West Africa.

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After completing my Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), I returned to Bénin to direct and provide consultation for language programs for the American Cultural Center, US Peace Corps, US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). I also taught American Literature at the Université Nationale du Bénin and assisted the University with Teacher Training.

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My doctoral studies were in Intercultural International Development Education, Education Policy, Educational Evaluation, and Adult Education. A substantial part of my career has focused on the training and education of teachers in and from West Africa, Haiti, the United States, and other countries. I did this working with the organizations mentioned above, as well as Michigan State University, Florida State University, the Florida Department of Education, Leon County Schools (Florida), and other organizations.

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My full and enriching professional life has also embraced program evaluation, educational research, consulting, editing, language interpreting and translation, and developing online training. As someone who seeks creative ways to teach and train, I've presented some of my innovative ideas and strategies at international, national, and statewide conferences.

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Never living a dull moment, I've always enjoyed serving in a myriad of volunteer roles. These have included Co-founder and Coordinator of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of North Florida, Coordinator of the Florida State University (FSU) Faculty and Friends Club Book Group, Mentor in the Leon County Public Schools, Animal Therapy and READ Partner (with two of my beloved dogs) with the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Animal Therapy Program, Board Member of the Southeast Evaluation Association and the Tallahassee-Krasnodar Sister City Program, and advisor to hundreds of international students.

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I officially retired in 2018. However, I was not finished! Having advocated for students with dyslexia for several years, and inspired by the challenges and rewards of doing so, I dove again into studies and became a Certified Orton-Gillingham Dyslexia Specialist. I then founded Bee’s Knees Literacy, LLC.

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I offer private tutoring to students and adults who have been identified as, or suspected of, having dyslexia or other reading challenges. I tutor students in reading, writing, and spelling, using interactive, systematic, explicit, multisensory, direct, individualized strategies, and the evidence-based Orton-Gillingham approach as well as Structured Word Inquiry. I believe whole-heartedly in the Science of Reading.

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In addition, I tutor French and other languages, so if that’s your interest, please contact me.

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I’m happy to consult with you to help you determine the next steps you can take to meet your goals effectively and with fulfillment. To me, every student is “The Bee’s Knees!”