Building confidence and awareness for students with dyslexia.
In a quiet Wylie classroom, the lessons go far beyond spelling lists and cursive loops. For Mrs. Cothran’s dyslexia students, it’s about building confidence, one word at a time. Recently, KTAB’s Tobin Smith stopped by to see the magic for himself, interviewing Mrs. Cothran about her unique program and the club’s beloved fundraiser—the annual Pumpkin Patch.
Three years ago, Mrs. Cothran started the Brilliant Bulldog Dyslexia Club to give her students a place to belong and a reason to be proud. “These kids just really want to be part of something,” she shared. “The whole point was to build up their confidence and help spread awareness about dyslexia.”
The Pumpkin Patch fundraiser does just that. Families pick pumpkins, play games, and enjoy baked treats, all while raising funds that allow students to serve others. Twice a year, the club travels to read to younger children at the PUP Academy—at Christmas and Easter. For many, it’s the first time they feel like “rock star” readers. “When those little ones listen and cheer, it makes my students feel on top of the world,” Mrs. Cothran said.
During the KTAB interview, Tobin Smith also shared that he himself has dyslexia—and how activities like theater once helped him gain confidence. He praised Wylie’s approach, saying, “I never got to do stuff like this when I was in school with my dyslexia. This is so helpful for kids.”
Beyond the reading and writing, the lessons are life-changing. “They struggle every single day in the classroom,” Mrs. Cothran explained. “But when you give them something outside of class that builds their confidence, it makes such a difference when they’re back at school.”
Thanks to the community’s support of the third annual Pumpkin Patch, the Brilliant Bulldogs will continue to shine brightly—showing that with encouragement and opportunity, every student can discover their own superpower.
