Home / About DCIR
Teachers, children, donors, artists, hand and brain researchers, neighbors, administrators, volunteers, family, extended family, and friends thank you!
Short DCIR Documentary
A Closer Look at School Wide Implementation in St. Basil Catholic School; Pre-K - 8th
DCIR Overview Film
V.M.P.
Purpose:
First kindles the desire to engage in learning through drawing. We spark the critical development of fine motor skills when children listen, write and draw, Happiness is our fuel to build self-esteem. WE ignite pathways to a child's brain when their hands, eyes and ears are collectively executing the tasks. The eyes see the task. The ears help understand the task. The non-dominant hand is constantly repositioning the paper to best accomplish the task. The dominant hand executes the task with the power of muscle memory. Muscle memory is the enduring ability to empower automaticity. Automaticity is an automatic response pattern or habit, and is the key to unlocking literacy in ALL its forms.
Vision:
Mission:
(in that order).
Meet The Team
Wendy Anderson Halperin is a published children’s book illustrator of over 30 books. Since 2006 Wendy has dedicated her life to developing lessons children can gain essential skills for their future success. Her gentle manner on screen allows students to peacefully engage in her step-by-step lessons where they build their confidence and learn best practices to help them to better express themselves. She’s filmed over 700 lessons so far with more on the way. Working together with teachers, principals, parents, and children, she shares her artistic abilities in a way that children easily follow along and feel good about what they create with her. The world of education is forever enriched by her commitment to children.
Since 2010 Holley Lawson has enthusiastically helped weave this project all together. Holley is DCIR’s Director of Operations and works closely with Wendy on many aspects of the program. With her graphic design background, English degree, experience working with young people and love for anything creative her talents lend to her wearing many hats in this organization. Having been witness to the gains and confidence her children have experienced with this program she believes wholeheartedly in the benefits DCIR brings to children. In our country’s history, there has never been a greater need to bring creativity into the home and classroom. It is Holley’s honor to help with this mission.
Terry Rose Saunders has represented a broad range of individuals, small businesses, public corporations and not-for-profits in complex civil business and constitutional law litigation. She has advised public and private educational institutions and remains committed to supporting organizations that provide educational opportunities for students of all ages. Terry brings a wealth of legal knowledge and know how as a DCIR board member and is always willing to help to help with legal questions but also to establish proper contracts and policies. We are forever thankful for her spirit, time, and commitment to helping grow this company.
Angel Jacobsen came to the organization as a guiding force in helping to finalize our latest website that you are currently viewing. She is the owner of Mothers Bookworx whose mission is providing friendly and fierce business services. While her primary focus is bookkeeping for trades and nonprofits, her creative outlet is fostered through building and maintaining websites. Angel lives near Grand Junction and is the mother of a very needy Mastiff, has 3 adult children and 11 grandchildren living all over the world. We are forever grateful for Angel's many talents at DCIR!
Scott Whiteford is a valued member of the team, the Secretary of DCIR and has been on its board since its transition to a 501(c)3 corporation in 2015. He has a background in financial and tax consulting, organizational structures/contracts, banking, and real estate. What drew him into DCIR was—and still is—the passion that the team all shares in educating the next generation through unconventional methodologies, especially those pertaining to hands-on, visual learners like himself. He now has three young children, and they thoroughly enjoy Ms. Wendy’s lessons every week!
Judy Graff is a former Whirlpool Corporation Director and honors us by serving as DCIR’s Vice President. Although retired, in her many years of service to her community, Judy served on the Casco Township Board as a Trustee, was President of Lakeshore Women Who Care and a Mediation Services Board Member. She’s been involved with DCIR for many years, brings new contacts to the table, keeps us following procedure, challenges us to think outside the box, and has helped to fund a number of schools and projects surrounding the work we do here at Drawing Children Into Reading.
Nancy DeKoning was an active elementary school teacher in Kalamazoo MI for many years and has since retired. She taught kindergarten, first, second and third grades during her career as an educator and brings a wealth of knowledge about young children, classrooms, and teaching. She was instrumental in helping set up the first magnet school in Kalamazoo Public Schools and brings that knowledge to the DCIR table. Over the years Nancy has helped with fundraiser organization, collecting of donation items, funding great causes that further DCIR’s outreach and a great member of our board.
Joel Halperin has been involved in hiring, supervising, and managing staff, operations, and supplies in several high-end establishments during his career. He has two small children who are growing up with the DCIR curriculum and, as a parent, has seen proof of its effectiveness. Joel has been in an advisory position at DCIR since the program began in 2006 and now, he sits on the DCIR board as our treasurer. He has helped cook at fundraisers, offered direction at our weekly meetings, supplied great advice in moving the program forward and we are grateful for his contributions.
encourage all ages, all professionals, all children, on all spectrums, to engage in our drawing lessons. Just sharpen a pencil and get started.
Don't compare your work to Wendy's work or anyone else's. You are unique and on your own path. Just enjoy the process.
Young or advanced in years, your world matters to us! WE hope to inspire, ignite, and uplift individuals across the world.
Draw, Write, and Read, in that order.
The in WEndy
created this program
Tricia & Arnette Heintze
Scott Whiteford
Terry Rose Saunders
George Saunders
Judy Graff
The Reams Foundation
Judi Stimpson
Laura Rusin
Johannah Dillion
Arsenio and Jarrold Suarez
Charles and Mary Moore
Norman Siegel
Linda Krueriea
Suzanne and Tom Cook
Cathy and Rick Albro
Chad Marcoux
Pam and Walter Kunzel
Meghan Ellis
Charles and Sharon Ippel
Jennifer Anderson
Nickie Antoon
Nora Arnold
Shannon Baker
Kathy Barr-Gomoluch
Pam Becker
Helene Berden
Cathey Brennan
Christine Brown
Lisa Croft
Debby Cullington
Michelle Davis
Char DeGrave
Rhonda Delnick
Kara Dennings
Kathy Doan
Tyler Draper
Jessica Eberhart
Cara Forward
Michele Hayre
Kelly Henry
Emily Johnson
Cheryl Kalinowski
Lisa Kolman
Beth Krajenke
Laurie Krantz
Carol LaMay
Jamie LaMay
Yvette Latimer
Rachel Lewandowski
Sandy Mafczewski
Kate Majewski
Cassandra Mattoon
Erin McGovern
Sandi McKean
Rachel Nowe
Cheri Pederson
Kim Phipps
Terri Quinn
Brenda Rees
Michelle Ressler
Sue Riehl
Robin Runk
Candace Sawden
Connie Schafer
Pam Sharrow
Desiree Sickels
Ms. Slavinski
Lauren Smith
Mary Spors
Marilyn Strader
Christine Swain
Tracy Thomas
Nicole Trudeau
Susan Vamos
Pat VanderLaan
Martha Van Raaphorst
Cheryl Viinikainen
Michelle Woycik
Laura Ynclan
Colleen Aben
Beth Adams
Karen Adams
Elissa Anderson
Michelle Anderson
Robyn Anderson
Stacy Anderson
Jodi Andrews
Olivia Boehm
Bonna Andrus
Lindsay Arnold
Katie Austin
Amanda Babcock
Jodi Bajko
Gail Baker
Deanne Barcey
Jen Bares
Lynn Barrette
Marilyn Barriera
Jennifer Baxter Knipper
Yvette Bertolet
Stephanie Bishop
Penni Blohm
Olivia Boehm
Tami Boomsma
Julie Brancati
Amy Brecheisen
Jeannie Breen
Lorie Briggs
M. Brochers
Amy Brown
Andrea Brown
Jacqueline Brown
Katie Bugbee
Molly Burnett
Carmen Burrus
Mary Butoric
Jill Cardosa
Will Cares
Debbie Carew
Erin Carlson
Joel Halperin
Sarah Koch
Sue LaFave
Jennifer Lane
Kate Langhart
Kellie Leroy
Juanita Luckett
Michelle Maxon
Kenya May
Lance Mayhew
Amy McNulty
Alysia Medema
Megan Patnaude
Paulette Pepin
Louana Prunty
Joanne Purdon
Juanita Richardson
Pamela Rodey
Nora Lee Sandala
Cassandra Shaffer
Andy Slivka
Shannon Sly
Amanda Spreitzer
Carrie Stephenson
Jessica Strye
Heather Swayne
Sonya Thorns
Faith Tom
Kim Tomoff
Ashton Ulrich
Sheri Vachon
Clausine Carson
Lauralee Chambers
Sandy Chenet
Misty Chipchase
Kelly Church
Renee Clark
Amy Clay
Katie Closson
Leeanne Cockrell
Veena Cole
Darcy Connolly
Christy Cook
Cathy Cooper-Stickney
Cathy Core
Betty Culp
Yiling Cumings
Margie D’Astici
Elice Davey
Jolene Davey
Debby Davis
Tiffany DeClerck
Danielle DeFauw
Jason DeLille
Amy Deloria
Amy Depolo
Cheryl DesEnfants
Nikki DeVary
Laura DeVries
Beth Diepstra
Tiffany Dietzel
Leslie Disterheft
Julie Dombrowski
Karissa Dooley
Patsy Dowell
Julie Doyle
Laura Drechel
Katie Drinkard
Angela Dziadzio
Amy Echevarria
Tiffany Eden-Frost
Colleen Effrick
Diane Elton
Susan Ericksen
Jessica Esquivel
Kali Fausett
Jill Fausey
Tracy Feliz
Jodie Ferrell
Carrie Fickel
Brigid Finucane
Amy Fisher
Amy Fitch
Andrea Flectcher
Rachel Fletter
Christy Flowers
Judy Ford
Carey Fouts
Melissa Frendo
Marcy Freyling
Sarah Furney
Loretta Gagnon
Amanda Gascho
Kathy Gatchalian
Carol Gesaman
Julie Giachino
Lesie Gitel
Nancy Gilbert
Marianne Gossman
Karen Green
Allison Greenfield
Alison Groenboom
Polly Groos
Anita Grosvenor
Karen Gunderson
Teresa Gunter
Holly Haan
Mary Halewicz
Tonia Halley
Angie Harder
Shannon Harney
Kate Henige
Kim Heumann
Michelle Heyser
Suzie Hlavach
Kristen Hoag
Denise Hodges
Emily Hoke
Kim Homrick
Heather Hossler
Cathy Houghtaling
Lisa Howard
Jackie Hudson
Katie Hull
Bethany Humphreys
Stephanie Isgrigg
Lisa James
Carol Janssen
Jennifer Jarvis
Amanda Johnson
Connie Johnson
Erik Johnson
Evie Johnson
Carol Johnson
Cheryl Jones
Leslie Jones
Lisa Jones
Patty Jones
Sue Just
Erin Kangas
Pam Kappmeyer
Kelly Karas
Melissa Karsen
Joy Katt
Karen Kearcher
Sandy Keeney
Cindy Sue Kendall
Lorie Kidder
Mary Ann Kiel
Nancy Kim
Kristan King
Harold Decker
Carol Vansteen
Christen Vazquez
KimViau
Sandie Wenger
Heather Wichtman
Monica Wieferich
KC Williams
Kerrie Yax
Nancy Zulawski
Brooke Austermiller
Candace Brannon
Dena Burner
Virginia Daniels
Laura Deloria
Amy Delorio
Margaret Fox
Gerilyn Gray
Mary Halewicz
Kathryn Hoff
Alysia Medema
Linda Meyer-Szur
Peg Mulherin
Cynthia Paris
Pamela Rodey
Ginger Sain
Patty Palermino
Diane Underwood
Leigh Wilson
Camille DeLano
Che Warner
Will Cares
Laura Kinney
Pam Kinnucan
Sabra Kinsley
Vicky Kirby
Connie Klotz
Michelle Klupchak
Kathy Knox
Ann Konecki
Erin Kornoely
Ellen Koster
Ann Kozicki
Trish Kuhn
Pam Kunkel
Michelle Ladd
Linda LaFleur
Julie Laird
Janet LaLonde
Mrs. LaLonde
Jessica Land
Kim Lanham
Sue Laurie
Kathy Leach
Karen Leffler
Nicole Lehmkuhl
Rachel LeMarbe
Kim LeMarbe
Margaret LePard
Debra LeRoche
Robyn Loewe
Lynda Looman
Terry Loughman-Auzins
Amy Lydic
Kimberly Macklin
Ann Mahar
Joanne Majerle
Lisa Maki
Shannon Martin
Sarah Masters
Rebecca Matthews
Jen Mattila
Barbara Mayer
Jenna McAllister
Sandra McMuaig
Jenell McKee
Marlene F. McNamee
Cindy Mieland
Debbie Mills
Jana Martin
Lance Mayhew
Angie Moore
Pam Moriarty
Cathy Morris
Tracey Merillat
Carrie Merkle
Brittany Mero
Cindy Sue Mieland
Lisa Miller
Sondra Minnema
Jen Mattila
Tammy Morris
Kimberly Morrow
Karen Mukliewicz
Mariel Mugge
Nancy Murphy
Mary Jo Nanninga
Julie Nealy
Michelle Neelands
Debby Nelson
Laurie Nelson
Dawn Neumaier
Xiaomeng Ni
Vicky Niewoonder
Cindy O’Dell
Natasha Offerman
Tracy Ojerio
Karen Oliverio
Clarese Ornstein
Carrie Ouellette
Gina Paesani – Smith
Cindy Paredes
Rachel Parish – Grammer
Mrs. Paulson
Kathy Pawlowski
Sue Penzes
Peg Perkins
Nisa Peters
Jennifer Pettersch
Donna Phillips
Cheryl Piazza
Donna Piazza
Megan Pitcher
Lorie Pott
Jill Priebe
Beth Principe
Karen Purdon
Jenny Purman
Marilyn Reed
Rita Reimbold
Anne Rieves
Serenea Robare
Christine Roberts
Shelly Roberts
Cheryl Rodbard
Mary Rossman
Danielle Rubis
Carmela Rudd
Katherine Runft
Sara Rymar
Valerie Rzepka
Abbey St. Aubin
Amanda St. George
Celia Sandoval
Dorrena Scharlow
Jen Scheuneman
Rebekah Schmidt
Rebecca Leigh, PH.D.
Toni Schlaire
Derek Wheaton
Karin Soergel
Leslie Zillman
Kale Williams
Eileen Carlson
Deanna Chorny
Susan Cook
Mary Cowan
Heather DeBest
Diana Eberhardt
Perry Heppler
Joanne Hiddema
Deborah Kampf
Anne Long
Joe Long
Tracey Marchyok
Pam Mclean
Jeannine Palms
Karen Ruesink
Chris Swinko
Elizabeth VanGoor
Joanne Wendland
Donna White
Linda Williams
Deb Kampf
Dotti Augustine
Lorna Carroll
Jane Foster
Katherine Hunter
Cindy Mohrman
Karin Soergel
Donna Taylor
Mary Cowan
Dallas Collins
Holley Lawson
Cathy Segal
Michelle Seppanen
Kelly Slagh
Jill Sloothhaak
Merridith Snyder
Rebecca Sparschu
Barbara Spence
Jenell Spindle
Lois Sporer
Mary Beth Spurlock
Lisa Stahlhut
Sandi Starland
Teresa Stewart
Jessica Steffel
Brenda Stoel
Serena Stock
Kimberly Strandberg
Sophia Strandberg
Lezly Straub
Amanda Swanson
Jennifer Sziachta
Julie Sziamkowcz
Margarita Szyperski
Tracy Tardiff
Karen Taurence
Deb Taylor
Diane Taylor
Ann Thill
Wynde Thirus
Maria Thomas
Cathy Thompson
Connie Thompson
Julie Tillotson
Georgia Tillotson
Tina Torello
Amanda Townsend
Stacie Tucker
Shauna Turner
Ruth Ann Ungeran
Katherine Valz
Katherine Vandenberg
Pat VanderLaan
Barb VanEtten
Melissa VanGessel
Elizabeth (Betsy) Van Goor
Jane Vanoss
Christen Vasquez
Sara Veltri
Kate Ventimiglia
Kate Ver Woert
Dana Vinton
Amy Volpe
Lori Vorwald
Vetta Dr. Vratulis
Kelly Wade
Jean Walle
Erin Waller
Helen Weil
Hannah Wenzlick
Sandy Weiss
Keri Ellen White
Denise Widen
Elizabeth Wilcome
Maria Wildenhain
Kathleen Williams
Michelle Willis
Diane Willman
Tricia Wimmer
Amy Wiseley
Mary Witteveen
Elizabeth Wolf
Maglalena Wolski
Mary Wolters
Cathy Wood
Marilyn Worman
Kerrie Yax
Maria Yoder
Kathryn Zaskowski
Kristi Zoerhof
Kim Zuccarello
Kim Zuidema
Laura Bartleson
Kendal Mazurek
Norma Alaniz
Courtney Albrecht
Leslie Allen
Jason Alvarado
Cindy Amboian
Kim Bessonen
B. Robin Binkley
Patti Jo Boehm
Megan Brennan
Kathleen Callahan
Katie Closseon
Dallas Collins
Christy Cook
Nikki Creten
Ms. Dalgord
Jenny Davis
Patti DeBoer
Tiffany DeClerck
Elise Engman
Heidi Gallagher
Patty Ganford
Elizabeth Goepfert
Sandy Gomez
Julie Hall
Frederica Hanmore
Lorie Hilton
Jan Himmelspach
Carrie Holka
Fran Hollern
Marcia Hudson
Lauren Janisse
Connie Johnson
Linda Jones
Antonia Jurkin
Angie Kelley
Ashley Kleinhardt
Dawn Knapp
Lane Halperin
Julie Moore
Beth Obremski
Jennifer Trombly
Project Curiosity
Linda Meyer Szur
Suzanne Antonazzo
Nora Arnold
Jane Foster
Angela Novotny
Mary Ann Savage
Carpenter Susanne
Sue Cain
Patrick Campbell
Glenn Cherup
Susan Cherup
Heather Dymond
Sally Farabee
Lauralee & Bob Foerster
Allison Greenfield
Margot Hallahan
Evie Johnson
Cheryl Jones
Sue Laurie
Cyd Moore
Paul Officer
Annette Raphel
Jane Roby
Judy Sarosik
Malene & Robert Smith
Nick Stadel
Connor Vondette