SOUND CONNECTIONS
ABOUT SOUND CONNECTIONS
THE FOUNDERS OF SOUND CONNECTIONS

RICHARD AND ANNETTE CELEBRATING STUDENT WRITERS AT CHINOOK CHAPTERS

ANNETTE ROGERS

ABOUT ANNETTE

The Sound Connections Programs were written and developed by Annette Rogers. Annette’s passion for supporting children and their families with the development of literacy has been a lifelong mission. The drive to develop new research-based materials has been at the forefront of her work.

Annette’s professional qualifications are as follows:

  • MA (Professional Studies in Education- Specializing in the links between language and literacy)
  • B.Sc (Speech and Language Pathology and Therapy)
  • Certificate: Approaches to Teaching for Specific Learning Difficulties
  • Post Graduate Diploma: Professional Studies in Education (The teaching of pupils with specific learning difficulties- Dyslexia)
  • NNEB (National Nursery Examination Board- Early childhood studies)

Annette’s original undergraduate-level training was in Speech and Language Pathology and Therapy. She is no longer a registered or practicing speech-language pathologist and is now solely focused on the development and management of Sound Connections.

Postgraduate studies in both education and dyslexia provided Annette with a depth of knowledge in curriculum,  and she is specifically qualified to address the needs of children with dyslexia. Richard, her husband, and their eldest daughter Lucy, have edited and co-authored sections of the program. Annette has appreciated the feedback, encouragement and ideas from many teams that she has worked with over the years.

Most of Annette’s career has been spent providing hands-on services to children. Her career, spanning several decades, has been fascinating and varied. She has dedicated years of focus to developing brain-friendly, multi-sensory learning, and finding ways to empower and engage students. Annette is a team player and has been involved in many collaborative action research projects in the education system and between health and education services. In addition, she has been involved in professional training across the UK and Canada.

Annette enjoys mentoring young professionals and helping them to view each child as a unique individual. She has worked with young preschoolers up into the late teens in educational settings, health settings, and private practice.

Annette’s fundamental belief is that all children can learn. She also believes that there are times when the bar is set too low. You will often hear Annette say, “if we expect little or nothing, nothing is what we will get.” Structured teaching is very powerful and the human brain is much more dynamic than often is given credit. Annette also believes in the power of the positive, and in the changes that we can make through praise and positive feedback. Children must believe in themselves, see themselves as learners, and grow in confidence. Annette has first-hand experience in the struggles associated with fluent reading and comprehending text and knows just how important developing self-confidence really is.

Finding ways to help children learn and believe in themselves has been Annette’s lifetime passion. Her belief is that all children have the right to fulfill their potential and her life-long dedication is to make this possible.

RICHARD ROGERS

ABOUT RICHARD

Richard thoroughly enjoys teaching and brings a wealth of experience to the Sound Connections team. At the tender age of 7, Richard was seen as a student with very limited abilities. Despite this, and with the help of his parents and teachers, he progressed to university and obtained a B.Ed Hons. Degree in Education. Ironically, Language Arts, his weakest subject area, became his greatest strength. From this point on there was no stopping him: starting in a school of over 2000 students teaching Language Arts, Physical Education, and voluntarily starting the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Richard soon realized that working with ‘struggling’ students was his greatest strength.

He then moved to a school for students with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This is where Richard really “learned his trade.” Richard added a post-graduate diploma in dyslexia to his credentials. Transferring to another school for students with similar difficulties, Richard became Examinations Officer, helping many students achieve excellent high school leaving grades, especially in the area of Language Arts.

Shortly afterward, a new opportunity was presented. Richard became the ‘Teacher in Charge’ of his own establishment providing educational services to students in England’s North West. Forging integration, links with the community, developing a network of further education placements, and examination success became the focus of his attention.

After moving to Canada, Richard taught extensively across two school districts, teaching early elementary grades to grade 12, including Language Arts, Band, and Physical Education. Richard’s belief that it is possible to change the trajectory of a child’s life is unwavering. With this purpose in both heart and mind, Richard decided that their joint expertise needed sharing. This is where Sound Connections began. With his wife Annette, he has directed Sound Connections throughout the years. Always expanding. Always pushing the limits. He is now seeing many Sound Connections students progress into university. The rest, as they say, is not history: it is the future.

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THE HISTORY OF SOUND CONNECTIONS

Sound Connections Literacy and Language Centre was opened in Calgary as the first independent centre in 2010. The Sound Connections programs, however, have had a long and extensive history dating back to the early ‘80s, when the program founder began her career. Seeking to bridge the gap between literacy and language, Annette wanted to create intervention strategies that were both fun and engaging to each student she worked with. With this goal in mind, Sound Connections grew into the multi-sensory and interactive program it is today. We are proud to say that all methods were developed from an extensive research base and have been tried and tested in both classroom and private settings. As current literacy and language research emerges, methodologies continue to be adapted and enhanced to ensure our students are receiving the best quality literacy program possible. Today, Sound Connections is supported by a team of amazing, dedicated, and passionate instructors who ensure each child is happy, confident, and thriving. 

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CALGARY LITERACY CENTRE
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CALGARY LITERACY CENTRE