Donna Coombs

Donna Coombs smiling for the camera

Donna Coombs

Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Instructor

Language Training Teacher

Education

  • Liberty University – Master’s in Education

My Journey to Sandhills

“Sandhills started with my mentorship of Anne Vickers who gave me confidence and encouragement with ongoing professional development.”

Donna’s teaching career began in 1988 in small Christian schools. She came to Sandhills in 2002 to take the Orton-Gillingham course and began teaching in summer school and tutoring throughout the year. By 2004, she joined the faculty full-time. Dyslexia and ADHD run strongly in Donna’s family, and the mentorship she received at Sandhills—and the school itself—made a transformational impact on her children, both of whom now work in education. The students, collaborative teamwork, and supportive environment are what continue to inspire her daily.

Why I Enjoy Working with Students with Dyslexia

“I’m an out-of-the-box ADHD visual learner who understands individualizing various strategies, but I especially love it when students realize the progress they are making and the success they are experiencing.”

Donna brings empathy, experience, and creativity to her work with students, helping them build confidence and find strategies that work for them.

Favorite School Tradition

  • The First Week of School: Donna’s favorite tradition is celebrating the joy of school and community during the first week. She loves helping students get excited for the year ahead and creating a welcoming environment that sets a positive tone for learning.

Life Outside of School

In her free time, Donna enjoys exploring the Riverwalk areas, attending choir concerts and events at First Presbyterian Church, and visiting the Riverbanks Zoo. She especially values time spent with her mini Australian Shepherds and loves trying new restaurants around Columbia each month.