About OOPRC

History
Ounce of Prevention Reading Center opened its doors in June, 1999. Since its inception, the staff at Ounce of Prevention has worked with 20-50 clients per week, ranging in age from pre-school to senior citizens. The center also provides EBLI training for parents and teachers and has taught thousands of teachers from around the US and Canada. Word-of-mouth advertising from satisfied parents, teachers, and school districts has always been the main source of advertising for the center. Because clients are seen for a short period of time--typically 10-15 hours--the center is continuously receiving new clients and celebrating the progress of those who no longer need our assistance. Our dedicated staff has worked with hundreds of students of all ages; we continuously refine what we teach based on research-based strategies and information that we find to be effective with students.

Nora Chahbazi, the owner and founder of Ounce of Prevention Reading Center, was led to this work as a result of her own child's struggle with learning to read and spell. In 1998, as a result of her 2nd grade daughter's reading difficulties, she spent 6 months researching reading. Based on what she learned through this quest, she taught her daughter to read in about 3 hours. Though her formal education is in nursing and she spent 12 years specializing in Neonatal Intensive Care, her experience with her daughter resulted in her insatiable passion for educating herself and others about effective, efficient reading instruction. She continues to be determined to use what she's learned to help children of all ages who have suffered as a result of the inability to read to their potential and who thought they were 'broken'. In May 2005, Nora was a finalist in the National Cable’s Leaders in Learning award for innovative contributions in education.

The staff at Ounce of Prevention Reading Center is motivated by a mission to respectfully, effectively, and efficiently educate learners of all ages to reach their highest potential in reading and learning. We intend to serve those who are drawn to our center in a way that respects their dignity and enhances their life.