NCBIDA - Spring 2009 Newsletter

Welcome

I write this on the first day of spring, a time which always reminds me of the many new beginnings in my life. One of those exciting new beginnings was my first year of teaching, when I was assigned to teach a freshman English class in a new high school in a rapidly growing area of San Jose. I had been told that this class was a little behind their peers, but it took no more than a week to realize that many of these bright, articulate students couldn't read much beyond a second grade level. Thus began my life-long passion for teaching reading and writing skills to those students for whom this does not come easily.

Another new beginning is unfolding for me as I take over as your new president of NCBIDA. I welcome this challenge as I welcomed those students over 30 years ago: enthusiastically, optimistically, and a little nervously. My hope is to continue to support efforts to spread the word about effective ways to teach dyslexic students and others who learn differently. This organization has a long history of encouraging the awareness of dyslexia here in the Bay Area and of forming a network of parents and professionals who desire to support students who learn differently so that they grow up to be the valuable members of society that they are meant to be. Let us continue in that effort.

I have an extraordinary group of dedicated professionals who join me on the 2009 Board of NCBIDA. Serving on the Executive Board are:

Additional Board Members are Jane Ashley, Christine Goias, Brian Inglesby, John Osner, Cathy Robinson, Cindy Schlichte, and Chris Voll. These are the hard working people who really make it all happen! I hope that you were able to attend one or more of our events this year, including the recent talk by Maryanne Wolf at Palo Alto High School on the reading brain in the digital age. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge about the subject is boundless. If you missed her, or just want a recap, please see Leslie Woodward's article in this newsletter.

Summer Teacher Training Opportunities

We are pleased to offer a three-day overview of the Wilson Language program in Berkeley this summer. There will also be several offerings of the Slingerland course in the San Francisco area. Partial scholarships are available for Slingerland and other approved summer programs. Please look at the article in this issue on Teacher Training scholarships or the NCBIDA scholarships webpage for more information.

Mark Your Calendars!

Education Revolution 2009

This event, sponsored by the PEN, will be taking place at AT&T Park in San Francisco on April 25, 2009. NCBIDA is proud to be participating in this ambitious event by offering mini-simulations throughout the afternoon. More information and registration is on the PEN website. Come out and join the fun!

Diane Shepard

Join us October 24, 2009, when Diane Shepard will again address middle and high school students and their parents about developing organizational and study skills. She delivers information that is immediately useful in a fun, interactive presentation which combines her lively manner with her showmanship as a magician. Location to be announced.

Dyslexia Fun and Fundraising Event

We are exploring the possibility of an event in November somewhere in the Bay Area. Look for information over the summer as it becomes available. We hope this fun event will help raise awareness about dyslexia while raising money to benefit our programs. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Nancy Redding.

National Conference

If you have not been to a National Conference, this might be a perfect year to attend! This fall the conference will be held November 11-14 in Orlando, Florida, at the Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel, adjacent to Disneyworld. Check the IDA website for more information.

Happy Spring!

Nancy Redding
President, NCBIDA

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President's Letter