ABOUT
OperationREAD is a team of passionate parents, educators and professionals who love kids and love reading. Many of our own children struggled learning to read, so we bring you the best solutions in the industry to make sure you get the support needed to grow your reader.
When it comes to reading, we believe in these two fundamental truths.​
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1. Every Child DESERVES to Succeed at Reading​
2.Every Child CAN Learn How to Read
How do we do it?
Our proven, cost-effective 3-Part Solution is the answer.
3-PART SOLUTION
1
EARLY SCREENINGS
Research shows the earlier we identify a struggling reader, the less it costs and the easier it is to intervene. Early screenings are proven to close the education gap by up to 90% success. This has a powerful, life-long impact on children's lives.
Sadly, many struggling readers in public schools don't get help until 3rd to 4th grade, after years of reading trauma have occurred. We can identify them as early as kindergarten to first grade.
We work with local communities to host READ-A-CON events in low socio-economic communities where we provide free screenings. We typically identify 10-20 at-risk children at each event.
2
EARLY & APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION
We provide at-risk families with immediate and appropriate interim intervention while they are in the process of securing 504s or IEPs.
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Getting an IEP or 504 can be a long and arduous process. Even after families secure accommodations, there is no guarantee that child will receive appropriate, explicit, science-of-reading backed instruction.
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So we also support administrators, teachers and family to ensure appropriate, long-term interventions are put in place, via training, professional development, and more.
3
MAKE THE PRACTICE OF READING FUN!
The DIVI assistive technology reading platform addresses one of the biggest problems in the world of literacy instruction - intrinsic motivation.
Even when a struggling reader has appropriate intervention, the practice of reading is full of drudgery, pain and extrinsic force.
DIVI solves this problem in numerous, unique ways. Teachers report that childrens' reading time increases, as do their skills, confidence and reading enjoyment.
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Qualifying families receive free access to the DIVI database of short stories and science articles, as well as a free new book every single month.
Non-Profit Partnership
Literacy rates are lower than ever in the U.S., but they are lowest among low-income and underserved communities.
The average middle-class family owns 12 books per reading grade level per child in the home. The average low-income family owns just 1 book...per 300 homes.
Operation Literacy, a 501c3, is dedicated to advancing literacy for this demographic. They have chosen to partner with us and use our cost-effective 3-part solution to address this problem.*
By donating today, Operation Literacy will put your dollars to work to change the lives of children in your own backyard.​
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* Operation Literacy is the fiscal Sponsor of OperationREAD's charitable work.
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** Scholarships are awarded based on needs and are meant for families from low socio-economic areas who are in need of financial assistance. ​
My
Story.
Our Story. Your Story.
How It All Started (the short version)
Hey there, my name is Phillip Chipping - you can see my pic below.
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I learned how to read without any issues. I had no idea how lucky I was.
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My first love in life was story. I remember my dad and grandfather telling me the funnest, silliest, laugh-out-loud bedtime stories!
I then went on to become a voracious reader. I spent gobs of time reading after school and through the summers (in addition to rollerblading). I fell in love with the Hero's Journey.
I loved books and reading so much I started a small publishing company in 2008 specializing in read-aloud bedtime stories for kids.
That's when I discovered my oldest daughter had a reading disability. My wife and I learned over the next few years that 3 of our 4 children had reading disabilities and challenges.
I dove in headfirst to help my kids, and in doing so, I learned a LOT.
Then, in 2021, I was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. Talk about a wake-up call. That kind of event makes a person step back and evaluate things. Everything!
It was then that I decided the only thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life was this - help other struggling kids learn to read.
I started OperationREAD to take all that knowledge and experience and help other parents avoid the struggles that are so common for struggling or dyslexic readers.
From screenings to interventions, from support with public or private schools to private tutoring, from at-home curriculum decisions to assistive technologies, we are here to help support you through this journey.
There is a hero in every one of us. It's your turn to be your child's hero - to unlock the reading hero in them.
Us? Consider us your personal Gandalf - we stand ready to be your guide on this amazing adventure!
Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Founder & CEO
Phillip Chipping
​Phillip's two greatest passions in life are story and kids. When his three oldest children were diagnosed with reading disabilities, he decided to do something about it. OperationREAD and DIVI are the results.
Phillip is a serial entrepreneur. He is the inventor of the invisibleSHIELD and founder of ZAGG.
![Rick Stambaugh[1] copy 2.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7d7bbb_dce9f54990044b099f7ebcf34e49c3d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_344,h_390,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Rick%20Stambaugh%5B1%5D%20copy%202.jpg)
Board of Advisors
Rick Stambaugh
Rick has 38+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, technologist, and marketing and operations executive with West Bend Company, Herbalife International, Fionda, TekVation, USANA, and the Stambaugh Group. Rick has also filled fractional C-suite roles for companies in their growth, transitional, and turnaround stages. He has served on several boards of directors in an active and advisory capacity.
Co-Founder, Lead Dev Architect
Nicholaus Chipping
Nicholaus is a technical co-founder with over 15 years of experience designing and scaling enterprise-grade software systems. With a background spanning architecture, backend development, cloud infrastructure, and API design, he brings a rare blend of strategic thinking and hands-on engineering. Nicholaus has led high-performing cross-functional teams across startups and Fortune 500 environments, delivering robust platforms that power millions of user interactions.
Board of Advisors
Shane Westra
In addition to advising tech startups, Shane Westra is also the Chief Product Officer at Canopy. Previously, he partnered with the majority of the Fortune 100 while working at SimpleNexus (nCino), Shutterstock (Webdam/Bynder), Workfront (Adobe), LexisNexis, and Pearson. Shane earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Utah and a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University.
Co-Founder, Director of Education
Sherry Evans
Sherry has been tutoring dyslexic children for over a decade. She owns and operates a tutoring business that has tutored hundreds of children with a 100% success rate. She also worked as a psychometrist for a neuropsychologist for many years.
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Sherry is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
"Until Everyone Can Read."
Board of Advisors
Paul Black, Ed.S., NCSP
Paul earned his undergraduate degree from the U of U and holds advanced degrees in Human Exceptionality and School Psychology from Idaho State University. He has practiced as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist for the past 20 years.
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Paul received his doctorate from Loyola University Chicago, where his research focused on understanding how dyslexia impacts students' mental health.
Marketing Intern
Kylie Nepstad
Kylie is currently studying marketing at Oregon State University. She is passionate about helping businesses grow and connect with their audience. She is excited to bring her skills to this organization and learn along the way. She is thrilled to contribute to this organization by helping children develop strong reading skills through engaging and effective learning experiences.