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.