Pearland-area dad creates interactive reading program for kids

PEARLAND, TX (KTRK) -- A Channelview ISD elementary teacher turned entrepreneur has created a learning website that he promises will help kids learn to read.

Geoff Porter retired from the US Coast Guard and became a reading and math elementary school teacher. He saw a need for a comprehensive phonics program to help kids who were struggling to learn to read.

"So I put together over the last 15 years pieces of good reading techniques into a single program," Geoff Porter said.

The program first came to fruition on pencil and paper. Years later it became a Power Point presentation. But soon Porter knew he needed technology to get the kids more interested in learning. The problem is he didn't know how to create it -- until he met Wes Okeke with Fruition Technology Labs. The Houston based start-up incubator helps humanity-focused start-ups turn their idea into a reality.

The lab offers office space, mentors and experts to help inventors get their idea off the ground.

"We walk with you from the idea stage all the way to the prototype stage to when you're ready to become a start-up," said Wes Okeke.

Two years later, Geoff's idea is now a full-live website called Dezphonics. It's currently being used on his students but hopes to soon expand it to other schools across Houston and the country.