CEO of Nardagani Author Narda Pitkethly Interview
Narda Pitkethly, CEO of Nardagani, has released her first novel, “Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance.” The book chronicles Narda’s brother (Jay) disappearance in September 2001, near the Big Wood River in Ketchum, Idaho, and from the first sentence, we are in the grip of a narrative that will not let us go until the very last page. What does Narda discover along the way? Not the brother she loved and lost, but a priceless gift she can offer the world: Nardagani, an innovative reading program for students who struggle to read.
Nardagani: How do you feel about the release of your new book?
Narda Pitkethly: I’m excited for people to learn about the creation of Nardagani and to spread the word about the Nardagani symbols. The book begins with the disappearance of my brother, into thin air, and keeps you hooked until the very last page. You learn about people who use our English speaking course online, enjoy the program, which is very much a type of phonics for kids—some students even report they improve reading comprehension, and learn how to improve pronunciation.
Nardagani: What do you want people to come away with after reading your book?
Narda Pitkethly: The book shares the typical stigmatized view of challenged readers, and this point of view is important for all people to see. Challenged readers are not only people learning English as a second language, but also native speakers. My brother who disappeared, Jay, was a challenged reader. Through this book you follow his struggle. If he had been taught Nardagani, maybe Jay would have learned more easily how to read English, would not have struggled throughout his life, and disappeared.
Nardagani: Is there anything that surprised you about writing your first novel?
Narda Pitkethly: Everything surprised me about writing my first novel. It was very time intensive. Actually, all the time it took writing the book, often made me think of how struggling readers had to learn, before the creation of Nardagani. Now there is a learn to read program, which could also be called a learn how to read English for ESL students program. It’s also a pronunciation program. It’s reading made easy.
Nardagani: What do you think Jay would say about your memoir?
Narda Pitkethly: Jay would be thrilled with this story of triumph over adversity—his, mine, and many people who struggle with reading and have learned to read the Nardagani way. Most of our students learn the Nardagani symbols easily. Some are ESL students who learn with our English speaking course online. Nardagani students often say, I want to learn English or sometimes users are looking for a system to help teach phonics for kids. I share more about this in “Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance.”
