LIAM: The Boy Who Saw the World Upside Down is the true story of a young boy with dyslexia told through his teacher’s eyes. Why was this an important story for you to share?

Liam was brought to my 8th-grade classroom because he had been bullied and pushed aside in Special Education classes from Kindergarten through 7th grade. He had been diagnosed as “mentally retarded,” an old term that is no longer used. His parents wanted him in a safe place. Dyslexia was only part of the problem. As I discovered Liam’s high intelligence, I learned from him how very important it is for a teacher to connect with each individual student and help them find their potential. After Liam graduated from high school, I lost contact with him. Continuing in my teaching, I saw students who were misdiagnosed in special education as well as ignored in regular classrooms, students who had tremendous potential, and students who were bullied more for eccentricities than for intellect. Liam’s story rolled around in my head for many years; I knew I needed to help give a wake-up call to students, parents, and teachers–to give them HOPE that the education system has to realize that each individual must have a chance to succeed. When I finally connected with Liam and told him that I wanted to write his story for those marginalized, Liam (aka Bill Judge) responded, “If it will give hope to other kids like me, yes, please write my story.”

What is one misconception you have found that many people have about living with dyslexia?

Most dyslexics do not know that they can get beyond that malady. I searched for many years to find a program that will train the brain to read correctly. At a conference I attended, I serendipitously found READ RIGHT, a program developed by Dee Tadlock, PhD, that teaches the brain to read correctly and excellently. READ RIGHT can teach anyone how to read as well as they can speak. Learning to coach in READ RIGHT was a true paradigm shift for me. As a coach, I saw daily miracles with students of various reading maladies, including students who were non-readers, students who had “brain stutters,” students who were mentally and/or physically dysfunctional, and those who were dyslexic. Coaching in READ RIGHT is one of the most important teaching strategies I ever used. READ RIGHT does not need to diagnose any of those maladies. As a trained coach, I used the protocol READ RIGHT uses to teach anyone how to read as well as they can speak. It’s what I call READ RIGHT–the silver bullet in education.

This story clearly has emotional significance for you. What was the most difficult part of writing it?

Watching Liam struggle physically, emotionally, and socially touched my heart to the core. I wanted the story to be told as true to reality as possible. I was not supported by administration the first year I had Liam in my class. As an adult, Bill Judge, who chose the family name Liam for the book, connected with me via ZOOM to help me understand his view as my student, what he learned from me, the help he received with his reading and social situations, what I learned from him as a true genius, and where his career led him. The difficulty in putting it all together was writing in all honesty and changing names throughout the story so as not to disparage anyone in particular. Truly helping readers understand how a student like Bill, with support from his parents and teacher(s), can succeed in life. I want readers to know how very important it is to leave judgment aside and give each person an opportunity for potential. I want readers to understand that I personally and professionally believe each student has within them their own certain kind of genius. My reason for writing the book is, as Bill said, to give hope to those marginalized in our society. Writing this book is the most important connection I have shared.

What do you hope readers, teachers, and parents take from Liam’s story?

Each individual needs the opportunity to succeed. Each person, no matter the challenge, can learn to read as well as they can speak. READ RIGHT, well-defined and well-researched, is the only program that works quickly and excellently. Now retired, the only connection I have with Read Right is my passion to let others know about it. I’ve also written a book to mentor teachers who do not have the support they need; teachers who are not trained to know how to connect with each student; teachers who need to understand their purpose is to help students find their potential. CONNECT FOR CLASSROOM SUCCESS shows through true scenarios how to find joy in teaching and learning. Excellence in education is my number-one lifelong passion.

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