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Why Some Kids Can Read but Still Can’t Write
In this powerful kickoff to the Math DysConnected Week, occupational therapist and learning interventionist Cheri Dotterer shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led her to become a national voice in the world of dysgraphia and math interventions. With over 30 years of experience in both adult rehab and school-based therapy, Cheri reflects on how seemingly disconnected learning challenges like dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and gifted reading profiles intersect in the classroom—and in life. This episode sets the stage for unpacking practical, Tier 1 classroom strategies that bridge cognitive science and math instruction.
Listeners will be introduced to the neuroscience of writing challenges, the identity struggles tied to learning disabilities, and the power of exposure-first teaching strategies that support all learners—whether they can read, write, or neither. A must-listen for teachers, OTs, and intervention specialists seeking to understand the “why” behind common classroom struggles.
👉 Subscribe and share this with a fellow educator who needs a boost of inspiration!
🔗 Find the complete Quick Dots Purple X training module: https://disabilitylabs.com
***************************************************************************
BOOKS
Making Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64K
Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7
Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.
Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2024.
***************************************************************************
TIME CODES
00:00 – Meet Cheri Dotterer: 30 years as an OT, from rehab to school-based therapy
00:33 – How dysgraphia became her passion through personal reflection
01:00 – The mismatch: Kids who can read but can't write
01:30 – Realizing she shared the same struggles as her students
02:10 – Why kids who can’t read still benefit from writing interventions
02:45 – The origin of the question: “Why can’t kids write?”
03:30 – The turning point moment in her therapy career
04:00 – Connecting reading, writing, and math as brain-based patterns
04:45 – Introduction to the concept of “Math DysConnected”
05:15 – The importance of pattern recognition and exposure before mastery
***************************************************************************
SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIy
AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029
This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.
***************************************************************************
MISSION
Minds on Math, LLC: To provide engaging, high-quality professional development and instructional coaching for teachers to improve student achievement and understanding of mathematics.
Dotterer Educational Consulting, a Therapy Services, LLC company: To provide professional development to improve writing skills through efficient lesson planning for regular education classrooms.
***************************************************************************
FREE RESOURCES
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-8523599443
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cheri-dotterer-classroom-coach-18603393525
***************************************************************************
Other ways to connect with Jonily and Cheri
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventions
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/
https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/
X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer
https://twitter.com/mindsonmath
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer
https://www.tiktok.com/@mindsonmath
***************************************************************************
QUESTION
What is your biggest struggle in your classroom right now? Include grade level and your role. Share in the comments or email us at:
***************************************************************************
HASHTAGS
#jonily #cheri #Tier1Interventions #GeoboardMath #MathStrategies #OTinSchools #MathIntervention #Dyscalculia #NeuroscienceInEducation
View all episodes
By Jonily Zupancic and Cheri Dotterer
In this powerful kickoff to the Math DysConnected Week, occupational therapist and learning interventionist Cheri Dotterer shares the deeply personal and professional journey that led her to become a national voice in the world of dysgraphia and math interventions. With over 30 years of experience in both adult rehab and school-based therapy, Cheri reflects on how seemingly disconnected learning challenges like dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and gifted reading profiles intersect in the classroom—and in life. This episode sets the stage for unpacking practical, Tier 1 classroom strategies that bridge cognitive science and math instruction.
Listeners will be introduced to the neuroscience of writing challenges, the identity struggles tied to learning disabilities, and the power of exposure-first teaching strategies that support all learners—whether they can read, write, or neither. A must-listen for teachers, OTs, and intervention specialists seeking to understand the “why” behind common classroom struggles.
👉 Subscribe and share this with a fellow educator who needs a boost of inspiration!
🔗 Find the complete Quick Dots Purple X training module: https://disabilitylabs.com
***************************************************************************
BOOKS
Making Mathineers on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mathineers-Transformational-Experiences-Conceptual-ebook/dp/B08NFCZ64K
Handwriting Brain Body DISconnect Digital Version: https://disabilitylabs.com/courses/hwbbd
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Handwriting-Brain-Body-DisConnect-techniques-ebook/dp/B07N1XB1G7
Both books are also available in paperback and hardcover versions. All versions are available wherever books are sold.
Math DYSconnected - To be released in 2024.
***************************************************************************
TIME CODES
00:00 – Meet Cheri Dotterer: 30 years as an OT, from rehab to school-based therapy
00:33 – How dysgraphia became her passion through personal reflection
01:00 – The mismatch: Kids who can read but can't write
01:30 – Realizing she shared the same struggles as her students
02:10 – Why kids who can’t read still benefit from writing interventions
02:45 – The origin of the question: “Why can’t kids write?”
03:30 – The turning point moment in her therapy career
04:00 – Connecting reading, writing, and math as brain-based patterns
04:45 – Introduction to the concept of “Math DysConnected”
05:15 – The importance of pattern recognition and exposure before mastery
***************************************************************************
SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to the Audio version of the podcast here on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.
APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tier-1-interventions/id1729403599?uo=4
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/72Wmq8ddduGz4eUMK7LVIy
AMAZON MUSIC/AUDIBLE: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/89f67d1a-98b5-4592-a53c-8f4acb3d8029
This podcast is created from excerpts from the Tier 1 Interventions Workshop. To hear the full math intervention, subscribe to watch the event live monthly on the 3rd Saturday during the school year.
***************************************************************************
MISSION
Minds on Math, LLC: To provide engaging, high-quality professional development and instructional coaching for teachers to improve student achievement and understanding of mathematics.
Dotterer Educational Consulting, a Therapy Services, LLC company: To provide professional development to improve writing skills through efficient lesson planning for regular education classrooms.
***************************************************************************
FREE RESOURCES
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jonily-zupancic-8523599443
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/cheri-dotterer-classroom-coach-18603393525
***************************************************************************
Other ways to connect with Jonily and Cheri
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tier1interventions
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cheridotterer/
https://www.instagram.com/jonilyzupancic/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheridotterer/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonily-zupancic-29aa7a54/
X: https://twitter.com/CheriDotterer
https://twitter.com/mindsonmath
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cheridotterer
https://www.tiktok.com/@mindsonmath
***************************************************************************
QUESTION
What is your biggest struggle in your classroom right now? Include grade level and your role. Share in the comments or email us at:
***************************************************************************
HASHTAGS
#jonily #cheri #Tier1Interventions #GeoboardMath #MathStrategies #OTinSchools #MathIntervention #Dyscalculia #NeuroscienceInEducation