Nathan Rodriguez’s journey through Irving ISD began at Kinkeade Early Childhood School before transitioning to Townley Elementary School, where he was diagnosed with dyslexia. Rodriguez recalls struggling with reading, describing how words appeared upside down on the page. "The words were flipped, and I couldn’t figure out why," he shared, which prompted his teacher to recommend testing for dyslexia. The assessment revealed that Rodriguez was reading behind his peers, marking the start of his challenging journey.
Rodriguez began dyslexia intervention with Multisensory Teaching Approach (MTA) teacher Jenna Macdonald, who played a pivotal role in his development. "Ms. Macdonald helped me a lot," he says. "The strategies she taught me still help today." Macdonald's use of MTA techniques helped Rodriguez improve his reading, writing, and typing skills.
Rodriguez completed the dyslexia program in 5th grade, just before entering middle school. Now, as an 8th grader at de Zavala Middle School, he has made significant academic progress. Outside of school, Rodriguez is passionate about boxing, a sport he started at age 10. "My dad used to take me to the gym for workouts when I was in the 5th grade, and that’s when I decided to take up boxing as a sport. I love it a lot," he adds.
Rodriguez draws inspiration from legendary Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez, saying, "He’s a big role model for me, with his heart and dedication in the ring." Despite his progress, Rodriguez admits he still faces challenges due to dyslexia, but he continues to use the MTA techniques he learned. "When things get tough, I remember what Ms. Macdonald taught me," he says.
As he looks ahead to the next steps in his education, Rodriguez has some advice for younger students facing similar challenges: "Don’t get frustrated," he encourages. "It can feel overwhelming, but there are people and resources to help you."
If you’d like to learn more about Irving ISD’s Dyslexia Services, visit IrvingISD.net/Dyslexia.
