President's Letter
Reading Instruction
A recent interview on NPR recently caught my attention. Marcel Just, director of the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University, was discussing how regular, intensive reading instruction can actually produce measurable changes in the structure of a child's brain, improving the integrity of the fibers which carry information from one part of the brain to another. Through functional MRI, researchers can actually watch the pathways that are being activated while a person reads. This amazing research gives scientific proof to the notion that good reading instruction is crucial for students with dyslexia.
We hope you can join us on Saturday, February 6 at Star Academy in San Rafael, when Nancy Cushen White will present an informative workshop on the reading process, emphasizing effective instructional strategies for teaching reading and spelling. Nancy, a well-known Slingerland master teacher in San Francisco and professor at San Francisco State University, possesses a wealth of knowledge in the area of reading instruction.
During the afternoon of the February event, you are invited to participate in NCBIDA's dyslexia simulation workshop, which has been updated and renamed Experience DyslexiaTM. This is a "hands-on" workshop which simulates what it might be like to be a student with a learning disability. If you have not previously participated in a simulation, I highly recommend it. You will come away with increased empathy for the challenges faced each day by people with dyslexia.
Dyslexia Dash
Mark your calendars! On Saturday, May 1, 2010, NCBIDA will present its first Dyslexia Dash. Other branches of IDA have held dashes across the United States with great success, but this will be the first in the Bay Area. The Dyslexia Dash is a 5K family fun run/walk to be held at Coyote Point Park in San Mateo. We are encouraging teachers, tutors, and parents to bring their students/children to participate in this morning of exercise and fun. The goal of the Dyslexia Dash is to raise awareness of dyslexia as well as raise funds to support educational and scholarship programs of NCBIDA in the Bay Area. Besides the 5K run or self-paced walk, there will be educational and sponsor tables, entertainment, refreshments, giveaways, and raffle prizes. We invite you to participate with sponsorships and/or "walking the walk." Check our website often for more information on this event.
Spotlight on a Volunteer
This issue of the newsletter features a short article about David Futterman, our current treasurer. I hope you will enjoy reading about David's journey to his present multifaceted career. NCBIDA is always looking for people who would like to offer their services either on a "once in a while" basis, or as an ongoing committee member. Currently we are seeking people to help with publication sales, simulations, and the upcoming Dyslexia Dash. If you would like to be part of our team, please send us an email at volunteers@dyslexia-ncbida.org.
Board News
We are very pleased to introduce two new members of our Advisory Board. They are Carol Moran, Educational Specialist at Children's Health Council, and Sue Garber, Parent Education Coordinator at Children's Health Council. Both women have a long history of serving students with learning disabilities, and we look forward to gaining their expertise as we plan programs and services in the future. Welcome, Carol and Sue!
Elsewhere in the newsletter is the proposed slate of new Board members and Executive Officers for 2010. Members are encouraged to vote on the slate prior to or at the Annual Meeting, to be held at our February 6 event in San Rafael. Results will be tallied and announced at the Annual Meeting.
Thank You to Outgoing Board Members
We are so grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by the members of our Board of Directors. We especially want to acknowledge and thank our outgoing Board members, Barb Langeloh, Christine Goias, Cindy Schlichte, and Leslie Lingaas Woodward. Barb has served as President of the Board and most recently as events chairperson. Besides her work for our local branch, Barb serves on the Branch Council for IDA. Christine has chaired our volunteer committee for the past several years, welcoming new volunteers and staffing our events. It is her work that ensures that our events run so smoothly. Cindy has been chair of two simulation committees: kit sales and simulation workshops. Additionally, she has been working tirelessly on the updates to our simulation kit. Leslie, after serving a two-year term as President, served as our Board's Past President this last year. Barb and Leslie, our two past Presidents, have been a constant source of support for me. These women have been huge contributors to our success, and we are thankful for the time and talent they have shared with NCBIDA!
Sincerely,
Nancy Redding
NCBIDA President
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