Lasting success

"Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today.

Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime."

Tutoring and homework help are like giving a student a fish. They get the student through today, but tomorrow, the same problems remain.

At Langsford, our testing figures out precisely where the underlying problem is, and then we strengthen the student's skills in that specific area. We teach our students to fish. We give our students the skills they need for long-lasting success.

We call this "The Langsford Difference."

On this blog, we frequently feature former students who have contacted us to let us know how well they are doing and how thankful they are. We thought it might be helpful to collect in one place some of the older students' stories of long-lasting success. Read and be inspired. And congratulations to them all!

Rachel

THEN: family was told she wouldn't go to college

2009: Outstanding Student of the Year,

duPont Manual High School

Max qualified for the

Duke Talent Identification Program

in Critical Reading

and 3-year winner of the

Oldham County Young Authors Competition

Max update:

Youngest playwright ever in

Actor Theatre's Humana Festival

of New American Plays (Ten-Minute Plays)

& now a 4-year winner of the

Oldham County Young Authors Competition

D.J.

THEN: in 6th grade, read at 1st grade level

NOW: student at Bellarmine University

Danny

THEN: 7th grade special education student

NOW: straight A student at Wittenberg University

Michael

THEN: worked with Langsford 8 years ago

NOW: reading award from

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

Maggie

THEN: came to Langsford ten years ago

NOW: Governor's Scholar

From www.weteachreading.com:

Feb. 11, 2009 --- Thanks again for your contribution to my child's success story! At each grading period of my daughter's school career, my thoughts go to Langsford... She was able to achieve a 4.14 GPA this quarter in her Freshman year... For a child who wasn't really reading until 3rd grade, this is a success story! She is reaching her potential and it is a joy to watch!"

--- Lynn J., Parent & Public School Educator

Nov. 13, 2008 --- "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the great outcome [my son] has had from his time there. It has changed his life in so many ways. He is turning 17 Saturday and he is inviting about 11 kids over for a "Risk" tournament. Several new friends are on the list from school. It has helped him academically as well. He got all A's this quarter and is so confident now. ... Hope the word [about Langsford] continues to get out."

--- Marilyn

* * *

The first step in helping your child is figuring out precisely where the problems are occurring in the reading process. Learn more about getting a map to help you and your child: Langsford Assessments

We will do all we can to help your child.

An American Hero

Langsford salutes Virgil, retired military veteran, who recently completed a phase of reading and spelling work. With his strong work ethic, determination and drive, Virgil truly is an American Hero, on and off the battlefield. His smile says it all! We at Langsford Learning Centers are honored for having known and worked with him.

Letters From Home

At Langsford, we talk a lot about letters of the alphabet, and we read a lot of stories. But hands down, our favorite letters and stories are the ones we get from parents and relatives reporting success, confidence, happiness, and accomplishment for past clients. Each one is gratifying and heart-warming for instructors, learning coordinators, and administrators alike. Here are a few we just had to share.

Austin is a first-grader working on reading and spelling. Before he came to Langsford, Austin would do anything to avoid spelling. Recently, Austin's dad reported that Austin had come to him after having a privilege revoked at home. Austin had asked dad if he could earn it back by spelling a word. Austin's dad was stunned! Good negotiating, Austin!

Sam is a sixth-grader who recently finished work at Langsford to aid his comprehension. The focus was on developing his ability to mentally picture what he reads (concept imagery). Sam's Mom emailed to let us know about the changes she has seen since he finished his sessions: "I have seen such an increase in his confidence and he seems so much happier with himself; that is priceless to me." Those words made us picture Sam with a big smile on his face. Great work, Sam!

Tristan is a seventh-grader and Langsford alum from a few years back. She came to Langsford to work on her reading and spelling. Since then, she has really taken off! According to Mom: "Wow!... She is doing wonderfully. Her reading, writing, and confidence in her ability continue to strengthen. ...We are so lucky to have found the Langsford Center... She does well academically and is able to keep up with her reading and writing requirements and gets many compliments from teachers and friends on her kind and charitable nature. I am forever grateful for how you all set her on this road and cheered her on." It sounds like this road is leading Tristan straight to success!

Last, but certainly not least, there's Maggie (pictured above). Maggie came to us (over ten years ago!) as a second-grader to improve her visual-spatial skills, and later, during high school, returned to work on applying these skills to geometry. This spring, as Maggie prepared for her junior year, she was accepted into the prestigious Governor's Scholar program, and will spend five weeks this summer working to enrich her academic background. Congratulations, Maggie!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories. We are so proud!

Broadway Bound

In 2002, this creative young man, Max, was a second grader struggling with reading and spelling. After working at Langsford, Max became a voracious reader and writer. Today, Max is headed for high school as a published playwright. This spring, Max became the youngest playwright ever to have a ten-minute play produced as part of Actor's Theater's Humana Festival of New American plays.

But wait, there's another scene in this show: Max has also won the Young Author's contest in Oldham County four times, and recently received state recognition in the "critical reading" category of the Duke Talent Identification Program.

Recently, Max's mom emailed an update on his exciting progress, and to tell us that she remembers us every time the spotlight is on her successful son: " I often wonder how different his life would have been if he had not gone to the Langsford Center. His life revolves around reading and writing - mostly, related to the theatre. He would have a hard time acting if he couldn't read...and he would have a horrible time writing play scripts, too. He spends all of his free time writing and reading plays. I think about you guys with [everyone] of Max's successes. I really do!"

This story deserves a standing ovation. Bravo, Max! On with the show!

How Three Months Can Change A Life

In the course of a K-12 education, three months usually doesn't amount to much. Three months is hardly a blip for most students. But for a child struggling with reading, three months can create such a tidal wave of change that it sends out ripples for a lifetime.

One of Langsford's past clients, Rachel Stivers-Bender, was recently honored by Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson as the 2009 Outstanding Student of the Year for duPont Manual High School.

We've heard from Rachel's family on this blog before. Click here to listen to a message we received from mom.

Believe it or not, at one point in her elementary career, Rachel's family was told not to expect Rachel to go to college. After all, some kids just aren't cut out for it. She was also discouraged from taking foreign languages.

Then her mom found Langsford.

We know the three months of work Rachel did with Langsford removed the biggest obstacle standing in her way, which was a lack of phonemic awareness, a vital component in learning to read. But past that, it was Rachel's continued hard work, backed by the support of her mom, that makes her so Outstanding.

Even so, Mom continues to credit our Director, Stephen. She says Stephen's willingness to be available for continued support and advice through the years has been invaluable.

Now Rachel's been accepted to at least 5 colleges and has received some amazing scholarship offers. She plans to major in International Studies.

When Rachel was notified that she could invite two people to attend the awards banquet, she knew immediately who she wanted to be there with her in addition to her mom: Stephen.

Stephen accepted with pleasure and reports that it was a wonderful event showcasing the achievements of 47 local students. (You can read more about the winners here.)

Since attending the banquet, Stephen says he can't help but wonder what the future holds for the students attending Langsford this summer. After all, three months can sometimes make all the difference in the world.

Rachel and her mom at the banquet:



Rachel and Stephen McCrocklin, Langsford's Director:



Rachel and duPont Manual Principal Larry Wooldridge:

Successful Sisters

Several months ago, we posted a blog entry about Mallory having some fun in her session. You can read it by clicking here. We received the following update and letter from mom:

Dear Langsford,

As you know, we were very pleased with the results we had when we brought our first daughter, Courtney to the Langsford Center. She came to Langsford in the summer after second grade and you really made a difference. She still needed extra help for a time, but after 5th grade, she needed no help at all. She is in the 8th grade now and doing well.

So of course we came to you when her younger sister, Mallory, began having similar struggles with reading. Mallory has really improved! Like Courtney, she still needs some assistance but her confidence has changed so much and she knows she can do it.

Every teacher Mallory had at Langsford found a way to click with her. Mallory needs time to get used to new situations and once she realized you were going to take her where she is and move through at her own pace, she relaxed. She never complained about going to her sessions.

Both of my children did continue to need assistance after the bulk of work at Langsford but that was no surprise because from the beginning you helped my husband and I understand that this is a process and not something that necessarily gets ‘fixed’ immediately.

All of that was explained so well in the consultation we had to discuss the results of the testing. Certainly there are always concerns about whether or not something will help, but realizing that it is a process made all the difference to us.

We were also fortunate in that our daughter’s teachers also attended the consultations. Mallory’s teacher was so supportive of the additional assistance and worked well with us. She was great. That is priceless to us.

I definitely recommend The Langsford Center, it did wonders for my daughters. So thank you. Twice!

Past Langsford Client Receives Distinction in Reading

We heard great news from a past client the other day. Michael's mother brought in an award he received from The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

He received Distinction in Reading for the 2008 academic year!

His proud mother wrote:

"Michael came to the Langsford Center 1999-2000; now, 8 years later, it still holds! Thank you!"

D.J. - 10 Years Later

We heard from another past client a couple of weeks ago. D.J. has been attending Bellarmine University and is now in the process of planning to take the GMAT. The family contacted us for copies of his pre and post testing for documentation he needed in reference to taking this test. Here's what his mom had to say about his recent educational activities:

Thank you so much for getting that information out to us. I have sent it along to get permission for D.J. get assistance while taking the GMA

Please share that he has had outstanding assistance at Bellarmine, he has made the Dean's List several times. With a smaller class size, Professors that are willing to work one-on-one, as well as being willing to meet at the local bookstore on Sunday afternoon to help the entire class.. and an entire staff that is willing to bend over backwards to assist.. You can't go wrong!!

We are very proud of him, he is entering the Masters Program!! Where there is a will, there is a wa

Please know that without Langsford's help I don't know that he would be as successful as he is today!! A million thanks!!

Together we believed in him and he believed in himself!! Once he finishes his Masters Program he will graduate with an MBA and a Bachelors in Communication. Who would have believed that this little boy, in sixth grade.. reading at a first grade level when he entered Langsford, would accomplish his dreams with the tools he learned in your center. Langsford 97'-98', Thank you again!!

Sincerely,
Donna

Email Out of the Blue

As I think we've mentioned before on this blog, Langsford has been around long enough now that we are starting to receive some "Blasts from the Past" as clients want to let us know how their children are doing, years after working with Langsford. We received the following by email just this week:

My son, Max, went through the Langsford Center program 5 years ago when he was in second grade. I just wanted to share his success story with Stephen and Claudia. My son not only qualified for the Duke Talent Identification Program in the category of "Critical Reading," but he took the SAT in the Fall and scored high enough in that category to qualify for State recognition. Qualification for State recognition requires a child to score in the top 30% of the talent pool.

Max has been so successful in Language Arts. With each of his successes we always think of the Langsford Center and are so grateful!. It was the best money we ever, ever spent. Max loves to read, and you would not believe the things he chooses to read. At this moment, he is alternating between three different compilations of plays: William Beckett, George Kaufmann and Neil Simon. He is reading these for fun! Reading is one of the best pleasures in Max's life.

You will also take pride in knowing that Max recently won Young Authors at the Oldham County level for his grade level for the third time. Langsford Center truly opened his world.

We have been wavering between YPAS and St. Francis High School for our high school choices. Max is heavily involved in theater.

I wanted to let Stephen and Claudia know what the end product has been 5 years down the road.

I am such a fan of the Langsford Center. Please feel free to add Max's information to your website.

You all are The Best!

Sara L. Abner

CAPD Can't Stop Danny

A very energetic grandmother to a past client came strolling into Langsford's Highlands office last week because she wanted to let us know how her grandson is doing. She said she just had to stop in and tell us about it because "we were the turning point in this young man’s life." This young man was diagnosed with CAPD (Central Auditory Processing Disorder: see below for more information on CAPD) in first grade, received special education services and also had some tutoring before he came to us in 7th grade.

Danny is now a freshman at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and is getting straight A’s as well as being quite involved socially. He has also developed into a great cross country runner.

She relayed how they were just lucky to find out about us by talking with other families who have been here. She is a retired teacher and she mentioned how Danny was in special education at his school but was released after doing work here. She said she had never heard of that happening much at all. She is really a proud grandmother!

How does Langsford work with clients who have CAPD?

Many, of our clients have issues related to Central Auditory Processing Disorder (now most often referred to as APD, Auditory Processing Disorder). Saying someone has CAPD is like saying someone has a learning disability. It can include one or many areas of difficulty in varying degrees.

One of our specialties here at Langsford Learning Acceleration Centers is addressing phonological awareness instability, which is one of the many auditory processes that come under the umbrella of APD. By stabilizing this foundational process, and integrating all the other critical aspects of the reading process (phonics, words attack, sight words, fluency) in a very deliberate and systematic way, we have had tremendous success in teaching students to become independent, self-correcting readers and spellers. And Danny is a perfect example.