Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Family Who Reads Together, Learns Together


DAD AN INSPIRATION

For some Langsford families, reading is a family affair. Parents who lead by example and make reading a family-centered activity are creating an environment which fosters life-long readers.


Ethan and his dad, David (right), are a perfect example. Ethan came to Langsford throughout the spring to work on reading and spelling. Often, while Ethan was in sessions working on reading, Dad could be found in the lobby working on his reading, too.


When students took breaks from sessions to play in the lobby, they could usually expect to find David sitting and reading, and even taking notes.

Here, Ethan is pictured on the day of his celebration marking the completion of a phase of work at Langsford. Typically, on celebration day, students receive a certificate and are asked to pass out cookies. Ethan’s celebration, though, was different. Ethan chose to let Dad pass out the cookies, because he’d put in so much hard work, too.


Ethan’s family isn’t the only family like this, however. Many siblings and parents of Langsford students pass a quiet hour or two in the lobby with a good book. Situations like these aren’t just heart-warming, they support the belief that reading skills are one of the most important things that families can nurture in children. We commend Ethan's family and those like them that inspire by example.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Staff Spotlight


Font size

Gemma Newland

Where were you born and how long have you lived in Louisville?

Born in Louisville, spent 2 years in Germany, reluctantly became a Hoosier 22 years ago.

My school/work background is:

Associate degree in Science Allied Health, UK; Lab Tech, Respiratory Therapist, phlebotomist. Home-schooled 2 of 4 children for 5 years. I discovered Langsford when we were referred here for my son.

When I was a child, when I grew up I wanted to be…

Wanted to be a teacher. I just took the road less traveled to become one.

People say I

Never met a stranger.

In my free time, I…

Love to read books, see plays and hike in the woods.

One of my favorite books of all time would be….

Frekles and Girl of the Limberlost. These are set in the early 1900s and show how with faith and determination you can overcome obstacles.

One of my hidden talents is…

I know all the lyrics for songs from the early 1900s onward. It drives my children crazy!

I love and I hate…

I love music theater but hate the song "Memories" from Cats. It just grates on my last nerve. ;-)



Friday, July 10, 2009

Lucky Langsford

At Langsford, we feel like there’s plenty of good luck to go around. Students get to improve their reading skills, and we get to help them.  How can you get much luckier than that?  That’s a great question for this Langsford client, Mitchell, and the turtle he rescued and named Lucky.

 One day, a parent came into the Middletown Langsford office and reported a turtle in the road.  Mitchell persuaded mom, Mollie, to drive him down to investigate.  Mitchell rescued the turtle from the busy streets of Middletown, and came back to Langsford to get a box in which to put his hard-shelled new friend.  Looks like it was just another Lucky day at Langsford. Great job, Mitchell!

Kristin's Decade at Langsford



Regarding her decade at Langsford, Kristin says, “This is by far the best job I've ever had AND the best working environment. Working with people who are truly invested in a common purpose, with little regard for personal gain, is a delight.”


Before coming to Langsford, Kristin specialized in Special Education, with a particular focus on children with severe behavioral and emotional difficulties. For twenty years she worked in a variety of settings in many different states, before finally leaving JCPS to work full-time at Langsford. She still thinks it was the best decision she ever made.


We agree! Thanks, Kristin, and here’s to another ten years!


Tuesday, July 7, 2009

POWER OUTAGE HITS LANGSFORD! STUDENTS CONTINUE WORK WITHOUT A HITCH!

What does dedication look like? It looks like this! Recently Langsford was struck by an afternoon power outage. In a building with very few windows, this could certainly be a problem. But, as you can see, where there's a will, there's a way! After just a few moments of scurrying, everyone was quickly back to work.

Grace and her instructor Kara found an office desk next to a window to work at.


Not to be outdone, Shelby and her instructor Rachel simply moved outside into the sunshine! In short order, all of our clients had found new places to work that didn't require electric lighting.

When you're dedicated to becoming good readers, you don't let anything stand in your way! Certainly not a little power outage!