Amanda Davis
Director
M.Sc (SaLT), M.AEd (Dyslexia), B.Sc (SaLT Hons)
I am a Speech and Language Therapist, qualified in 2001 from the University of Cape Town, with specialist interest in language, literacy, and dyslexia. My early clinical work at a school for children with learning difficulties sparked a passion for understanding how children learn to read—leading me to complete both an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy (University of Cape Town) and an MEd in Dyslexia (University of York). Through these Master’s degrees, I realised just how complex language and literacy is and have dedicated my professional life to supporting children and young people with language-based literacy needs. I am particularly fascinated by processing speed difficulties and their links to word storage, retrieval, reading fluency and reading comprehension. In my professional capacity, I admire Professor Maryanne Wolf for her work on the Double Deficit Hypothesis of Developmental Dyslexia – her 1999 article shaped my entire career and continues to impact Words First in many positive ways. I was also lucky enough to be trained by her (in person) in 2006 on her RAVE-O programme (one of the many highlights of my career). Through all my studies, I have come to a deep appreciation for evidence-based practise – where everything we do is founded on good quality research. I absolutely love working in schools as the classroom environment affords me and everyone at Words First the opportunity to put research into practise every single day and this remains the bedrock of our work in schools.
As Words First has grown into a rather (unexpectedly) large multidisciplinary team, my focus has shifted somewhat to now leading a team of professionals across disciplines to embed outstanding practise into our schools. I love what I do and feel privileged and grateful for the incredible opportunities we have as a company to make a difference to children and young people’s lives in schools every day. I feel this responsibility deeply and continue to be engaged at every level of the company – particularly getting to know our incredible team of therapists and ensuring their journey in Words First is remarkable, leaving a life long and positive impact on their careers. My hope is that all therapists who pass through Words First remember their time with fondness, a place of learning, collaborating, sharing, lifting each other, positive energy and the opportunity to do what you truly love – help children and young people in school.
A few interesting things about me: outside of work, I’m the proud mother of two wonderful teenage daughters. I know it’s a cliché but they have taught me more about children and young people than any Masters could ever have done! Despite my career-long commitment to supporting children to read, I don’t like reading myself, cannot remember the last book I read and have never ‘got lost in a book’ (as they say). I’m fascinated by how this information changes people’s view of me but I use it as a super-power to truly understand what children and young people go through when they struggle to read fluently. I am a dog person through and through and one my happiest places on earth is on a mountain with my dogs.
Among Words First’s core values, collaboration resonates most strongly with me. I am naturally decisive, but I thrive in listening. I am usually the last voice to be heard in a group but you can be sure I’ve listened to you all and value each and every contribution.
If you got this far, thanks for reading and enjoy learning more about Words First!
