meet our amazing team
The Faces Behind our Success
We Couldn’t Do It Without Them
Director - Jill Gatlin
Jill is the Director of the Dyslexia Center of the Shoals and a Certified Academic Language Therapist who brings both expertise and heart to her work. With over 15 years of experience, she’s dedicated to helping students become confident, capable learners—especially those who’ve been misunderstood or told they’re simply not trying hard enough.
She believes every child has incredible potential and is passionate about unlocking it through the right tools, strategies, and support. Just as importantly, she strives to empower each student to become their own advocate.
Jill earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Blue Mountain Christian University and her Master’s in Dyslexia Therapy from Mississippi College. She’s trained in a wide range of structured literacy approaches, including Take Flight, the Dyslexia Therapy Program, Language Essentials for Teaching Reading and Spelling (LETRS), Orton-Gillingham through the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, Anita Archer’s REWARDS, and Stern Math, a program that emphasizes explicit, hands-on instruction in mathematical concepts. She also trained under Dr. Laure Ames at the June Shelton School and Evaluation Center in diagnosing children with learning differences. Jill is a member of both the International Dyslexia Association and the Academic Language Therapy Association where she serves on the Audit Committee. She is also a service provider with the IDA.
Her approach to therapy is grounded in research but fueled by encouragement, patience, and humor. She’s committed to creating a space where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed—not just academically, but personally.
Outside of work, Jill is a member of Woodmont Baptist Church, where she serves on the worship team. She enjoys quiet mornings on the porch swing with a good book and coffee, spending time with her goldendoodles, and making memories with her grandson.
Becky Smith
Language Therapist | Orton-Gillingham Trained | LETRS, Stern Math & REWARDS
Certified
Becky Smith joined the Dyslexia Center of the Shoals in 2016, bringing over 33 years of
experience in elementary education. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in
elementary education from the University of North Alabama.
Throughout her career at Central School in Lauderdale County, Mrs. Smith taught first, fifth, and
sixth grades, served as a Title I reading teacher, and worked as a reading coach. After retiring
from full-time teaching, she continued her passion for literacy education by completing
Orton-Gillingham training at Greengate School in Huntsville through the Academy of
Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). She has also completed LETRS
(Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), a two-year professional
development program focused on evidence-based reading instruction.
Mrs. Smith has further expanded her expertise with training in Stern Math, REWARDS, and The
Writing Revolution. She also served as a part-time Reading Interventionist at Central School.
Originally from Huntsville, Mrs. Smith has made Florence her home, where she raised her
family. She enjoys reading, sewing, traveling, and staying active in her church community. She
lives with her son and their rescue dog, Oakleigh. Roll Tide!
Courtney Glasgow
Language Therapist | Orton-Gillingham Trained | LETRS, Stern Math & REWARDS
Certified
Courtney Glasgow has been a Language Therapist with the Dyslexia Center of the Shoals since
2018. She received her master’s degree in Educational Theory & Practices from Arkansas State
University and her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Athens State University.
Before joining DCS, she spent time as a reading coach as we l as teaching for second, fourth,
and sixth grades. She has completed specialized training in Alabama Math, Science, & Technology
Initiative (AMSTI), Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI), Orton Gi lingham (OG), Language Essentials for
Teachers of Reading & Spe ling (LETRS), Stern Math, and Writing Revolution. She uses her experience,
education, and additional training to provide students with direct, systematic, and explicit instruction
through a multisensory approach. As a Language Therapist, her goal is to share the love of reading
with students by helping them become more independent readers, writers, and spe lers.
Ms. Courtney grew up in the Shoals but has spent time living in Colorado and Georgia. When
not working, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, game nights, long walks through Target, and
upholding her reign as organizing queen.
“Kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness.”
Alyssa Horton
Language Therapist | Orton-Gillingham Trained | LETRS, Stern Math & REWARDS
Certified
Alyssa Horton combines a strong background in business with specialized training in literacy
and math intervention to support students with learning differences. She holds a Bachelor of
Science in Administrative Systems Management from the University of North Alabama (2000).
After several years in the business field and time at home raising her children, Alyssa
transitioned into education with a focus on dyslexia therapy.
In 2019, she completed training in the Orton-Gillingham approach through the Academy of
Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and joined the DCS team that same year. She
has since continued her professional development with certification in LETRS (Language
Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), REWARDS, and Stern Math, a structured
multisensory approach to teaching math.
In addition to her work with DCS, Alyssa also teaches part-time as a preschool educator. She is
actively involved in her church, Parkview Baptist in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Outside of work, she
enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
Alyssa is passionate about helping students build strong foundational skills in both reading and
math, and she is proud to be part of the DCS team.
Julia Finch
Dyslexia Therapist | Orton-Gillingham Trained | REWARDS & Stern Math Certified
Julie Finch brings over three decades of educational experience to her role as a dyslexia
therapist. She recently retired from Covenant Christian School in Tuscumbia, Alabama, where
she served with distinction for many years—first as a second-grade teacher for 17 years, then
as the elementary principal from 2003 until 2022.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia (1984), and
returned to complete a Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2006. In 2022, she began a new
chapter in her career, completing training through the Orton-Gillingham Online Training
Academy and launching her work in dyslexia intervention. She has also completed training in
the REWARDS reading program and Stern Math, both of which provide structured, multisensory
approaches to literacy and numeracy instruction.
Julie is deeply committed to helping students build confidence and mastery through
individualized support. She and her husband, Gib, have four grown children and a young
granddaughter. In her free time, Julie enjoys reading, music, and spending time with her family
and friends.