Devon's Garden Grows Rainbow Readers

Devon's Garden is a specialized tutoring service described by Devon Tilman as "an awesome place for the child who needs a hands-on environment and a different way of succeeding in the classroom". She has been a teacher for decades, both in more traditional settings and in her own business. Her students have included very bright to non-conforming students, for whom traditional classrooms are more challenging. At Devon's Garden, she provides all students with educational stimulation, treats, and love so that solid learning can take place.

She began her road to operating Devon's Garden by first tutoring students at Boulder City Library on an individual or small group basis. These were students in danger of "falling thru the cracks" of traditional schools. Then her professional career took her to Grace Christian Academy, where she served as the school's principal.

When COVID-19 prohibited students from attending their traditional schools, she began Devon's Garden with eight students with a child-centered and child-focused learning environment. Her students were presented with challenging environments but were able to persevere with hands on and devoted instruction.

Devon came up with the idea of Rainbow Readers, a group of young students who read to the animals at the Animal Control Shelter. Some of the students needed practice at reading aloud and practice in oral speaking, in general. The program has turned non-readers into readers. It has also benefitted the animals by providing them interaction with children. It helps the animals bound for adoption become more calm and relaxed. The program is definitely a win-win for all involved!

Devon is married to Boulder City's Justice Court Judge, Christopher Tilman. The longtime residents have one son and two daughters: Wyatt, Jay, and Ella. They have a menagerie of animals at their home, including 3 dogs, 2 cats, and a flock of chickens. She spends her free time tending to their 44 fruit trees and a large garden.

Along the way, she also became a community based instructor through the University of Nevada, Reno extension project. The land-based grant university extension serves all Nevada residents. In this capacity, she travels to Searchlight and Laughlin frequently. She is also a Master Gardener thru the UNR Extension and grows many wonderful things. But perhaps the most important things she grows are successful young students into lifelong learners, eager to thrive in their own special ways.

You can see some of her progress on her Facebook page HERE. The learning center is located at 1400 Colorado Street, Suite B. Her telephone number is (702) 523-0960.