A 
          Mother's Love can make a Powerful Difference
         by 
          Kathie F. Nunley, EdD
         I'd 
          like to share with you a person I met this week in  Ottawa, 
          Ontario, Canada. While speaking at the Canadian  Dyslexia 
          Conference, I had the pleasure of meeting the  president 
          of that organization, a truly inspirational woman.  She 
          touched a place in my heart.  
        Louise 
          Ward is a mother. First and foremost. She is a  mother 
          who, like many of us, leads a life shaped by her  children. 
          Years ago, when Louise's son was struggling  in 
          a school which couldn't accommodate his particular  learning 
          style, she realized that not only was the school  system 
          not helping him, they were in fact, doing harm. As  many 
          of us are aware, the pain of a child's disabilities is  
          frequently 
          greater for the parent as they watch the hopes,  confidence 
          and esteem of their child destroyed by a system, which 
          in its valiant attempt to lead the masses, often forgets  
          the 
          individuals it loses.
         The 
          bond between mother and child often leads to  inspirational 
          stories and the story of this mother is  one 
          such story. When Louise Ward realized that the  school 
          system could not meet her sons needs, she  took 
          matters into her own hands and started her own  school, 
          custom designed for the dyslexic needs of her  son. 
          What Louise hoped was that the design of this  school 
          would also meet the needs of other children with  dyslexia. 
          Her hopes were realized. From a first year  enrollment 
          of six to this year's enrollment of 40,  L 
          Academie' Heritage in Ottawa Ontario is a school  where 
          children of all ages are given a specialized reading  
          program 
          each day followed by high level academic  subject 
          taught using alternative strategies. Textbooks  are 
          used sparingly, primarily as references, students are  
          encouraged 
          to research and create individual projects  using 
          their particular intellectual gifts. The transitions  
          are 
          magical, the students are exciting, personable, and  most 
          importantly, confident in their educational endeavors.  
        
         Today 
          students come from all over the world to find  the 
          peace and joy that comes from learning in an  environment 
          which meets their needs. Louise's son  has 
          graduated from the school and is currently pursing  his 
          degree at an Ottawa University. As for Louise, she  keeps 
          the school going and growing as she realizes true  greatness 
          comes from helping people - one at a time. 
                 
        Kathie 
          F. Nunley is an educational psychologist, author, researcher and speaker 
          living in southern New Hampshire. Developer of the Layered Curriculum® 
          method of instruction, Dr. Nunley has authored several books and articles 
          on teaching in mixed-ability classrooms and other problems facing today's 
          teachers. Full references and additional teaching and parental tips 
          are available at: http://Help4Teachers.com Email her: 
          Kathie (at) brains.org 
        For more detailed 
          information, read the text 
          "Layered Curriculum" or the new supplement "Enhancing 
          your Layered Curriculum Classroom". 
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