Staff Spotlight On Tony

Tony Pursley

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

Born in Cincinnati and grew up in Goshen, OH and later Independence, KY. I’ve lived in Louisville for 5 years.

My school/work background is:

Bachelor’s in Music Ed Cumberland College; Master of Divinity at Southern Baptist Seminary. Minister of Music at Hebron Church and now at Victory Memorial Baptist Church.

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

An air force fighter pilot & NASA astronaut. Then a traveling Christian singer.

People say I…

Am a multi-talented person.

In my free time, I…

Read books, write songs & hymns, walk in the woods at Cherokee Park.

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

The Bible of course! And The Lord of the Rings and the Great Gatsby.

I once won an award for…

Most team spirit on my high school football team.

I love and I hate…

I love studying and writing and I hate studying and writing.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE LANGSFORD STAFF

Wishing you Happy Holidays and all the best in the new year!!

Announcing a New Arrival!

Joy Marie

One of our instructors has a new addition to his family. We congratulate Joseph and Jessica on the birth of their daughter, Joy Marie. We hear that her three older brothers love having a new baby sister! And what a little angel she is!

STAFF Spotlight

Christopher Skye--A Little About Me

I was born in Springfield, Ohio. I washed up on the Falls of the Ohio in 1987 and scamped about the Highlands for a few years before heading west. Louisville has been my residence since 1998.

I've been a cook, fisherman, tree-planter, and mountain man at various times. I used to read a lot about eastern religions and earned a degree in Humanities from the University of Louisville, where I studied ancient western cultures and unspoken languages. I am currently working on a Master's degree in Library Science.

People say I'm a people person, and they are right.

When I was a child I wanted to be Leonardo da Vinci or maybe Peter Pan, although I do see my shadow.

In my free time I golf, hike, read, watch movies, and volunteer.

My favorite book is the one I haven't read yet! But the Tao Te Ching is useful.

A talent I have is starting over, which I think is a bit like gardening.

I love traveling and I hate meanness.

I once won an award for academic merit, but my greatest reward is my daughter, Phoenix.

Sarah's Got Talent!

While this may look like a new singing group auditioning for "America's Got Talent," the show in this picture is all about Sarah! One of Sarah's many talents include winning the hearts of the Middletown Langsford Staff. On Sarah's last day of sessions, everyone wanted to get into the act for her celebration!

In this picture, from left to right, are Sarah's supporting cast: Fran, suffering a little stage fright but excited about getting into the act; Toni W., trying to steal the show; Claudia, Sarah's Learning Coordinator and Ringmaster of this crew; and Toni H., another instructor, who would sing, dance, or juggle to have more students like Sarah!

Sarah, we think you're a winner and your talent will take you far in life!

Staff Spotlight

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. ;-)

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!

Staff Spotlight on Rachel

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

Sacramento, CA. I’ve lived in Louisville 3 years.

My school/work background is:

BA in Biblical Studies – Master’s College in Southern CA; Courthouse intern for several years, school office manager and at Southern Seminary

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

A stage actress

People say I…

Am chatty. Of course we all know that’s not true...

In my free time, I…

Play guitar, read, spend time with people, attempt to cook

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

Emma by Jane Austen

One of my hidden talents is…

I can type really fast.

I once won an award for…

Drama performance in high school.

I love and I hate…

I love old movies and I hate being cold!

Margaret is one of our staff members and works at our Middletown office.

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

Radford, VA; I lived in Louisville for 10 years and now live in Shelbyville.

My school/work background is:

Bachelor's from University of Utah; Masters from UofL. I have taught language arts and reading in Utah, Louisville, and Simpsonville. Manager at the Red Cross.

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

an English teacher.

People say I...

am creative, dependable and tenacious.

In my free time, I...

read (of course), play golf, and sew. I make Home Decor items, drapes and pillows.

I once won an award for:

A Graduate Dean's Citation from UofL.

I love and I hate...

I love Saturday mornings, my family, and Cosette, my cat. I hate spicy hot food!

A Historian in the Making

This is Tyler and Paul. Tyler is a 1st grader attending Langsford and Paul is his favorite instructor.

They discuss history together on their breaks, as Tyler and Paul are both big history buffs. Tyler was delighted to find out that Paul knows "almost as much" about history as he does!

Tyler's goal from day one here at Langsford has been to be able to read books about weapons in history. With the progress he's been making, who knows? Maybe one day Tyler will be writing history books!

Toni's 5 Year Anniversary!

Toni recently celebrated her 5 year anniversary here at Langsford! She is a lively instructor, dedicated to creating independent learners. We've really missed her the last couple of weeks, as she had to take a little time off for a medical procedure.

Apparently Langsford Staff aren't the only ones missing her. On a recent trip to see her, we found one of her favorite students sitting there visiting her! She'll be back soon and all the staff and students here wish her a speedy recovery!

Sometimes a Smile Says it All

This is Kennedy, an 8th grader, with his instructor Joseph. It's his last day at Langsford, and it's hard to say which of these guys is prouder!

While here, Kennedy worked on his comprehension, with lots of application to schoolwork.

High school should be a whole lot easier next year!

Staff Spotlight: Joseph

Joseph is one of our Instructors.

Where were you born and how long have you lived in Louisville?
I was born in Meadville, PA and have lived 2 1/2 years in Louisville.

My school/work background is?
Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies/Christian Education, Taylor Univ. IN;
Working on Masters of Divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

When I was a child and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I…
wanted to be an NFL football player or Oceanographer.

In my free time, I…
chase 2 little boys around the backyard.

One of my favorite books of all time would be…
Chronicles of Narnia

One of my hidden talents is…
I can walk on my hands.

I love and I hate…
I love Jesus, my wife, my boys, family, church, friends, being able to hold my wife’s hand on a walk, bringing in my sleeping boys from the car, finishing a paper…I hate starting a paper, when I lose perspective and my self-centeredness.

People say I…
Easily put my foot in my mouth – I have a leg up on them. :)

Staff Spotlight: Toni

Where were you born and how long have you lived in Louisville?
Louisville, 66 years..

My school/work background is?
Bachelor’s in Music, UL; M.A.T., Catherine Spalding; M. Ed. (Special Education) Bellarmine

When I was a child and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I…
Wanted to be a musician or a psychologist..

In my free time, I….
Like to garden, read, splash in the water, and travel..

One of my favorite books of all time would be….
A Prayer for Owen Meany, or the one I’m currently reading!

One of my hidden talents is…
Oh, there are too many to mention… (But Ask Her About Singing in Carnegie Hall!)

I love and I hate…
I love the word ‘yes’ and hate the word ‘no.’.

People say I…
Am creative, dependable and tenacious.

I once won an award for…
Memorizing the most poetry in my English Class.

Staff Spotlight: Maryanne

Where were you born and how long have you lived in Louisville?
Covington, KY 31 years

My school/work background is?
Morehead State University BA English/German; University of Louisville MA Creative Writing; Angela Merici HS 1976 -1978 English teacher; Edelson and Associates (psychologists) front desk secretary; Fifth Third Bank; Substitute teacher at Trinity HS, Mercy HS, and Sacred Heart HS; Coldwater Creek in Oxmoor.

When I was a child and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I…
always wanted to be a teacher.

In my free time, I….
read everything, write humorously, sew, bake, and then try to lose the weight from the baking by reading more diet books.

One of my favorite books of all time would be….
Separate Beds by LaVyrle Spencer but this would be just the tip of the iceberg.

One of my hidden talents is…
I can water ski but I am afraid of deep water and can't swim.

I love and I hate…
I love chocolate and I hate panty hose.

People say I…
look younger than I am.

I once won an award for…
Home economics in high school -- the Betty Crocker award. I beat out all the girls who majored in Home Economics ( do you remember that major?)

Langsford's Team-To-One™ Approach

This is Lucas, who is surrounded by two of his Langsford Instructors, Paul (on the left) and Christopher. Lucas really enjoyed having these two fellows on his team.

Lucas had the benefit of a lot of people working together to help him. Mary was his Learning Coordinator. Before Lucas even started sessions with us, Mary had a conversation with his school's principal on how to best structure his day so Lucas could attend daily sessions here. As a team, Mary, the principal and the parents worked out a plan for Lucas to come during the school day.

Once Lucas began sessions, the Langsford Team began to work together on the customized plan of action that Mary designed specifically for Lucas' learning profile. Paul and Christopher were a big part of Lucas' team. As you can see by the photo above, the three of them became great buddies.

Margaret and Tyler

Margaret is one of our instructors who teaches mainly in our Middletown office. I don't think I really need to tell you that both Tyler and Margaret are two energetic and fun people. But I guess I just did anyway.

Staff Spotlight: Paul

Paul is one of our Instructors and he's been around here, on and off, for more than 10 years.

Where were you born and how long have you lived in Louisville?
Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock Texas

My school/work background is...
History

People say I...
am crazy. And they worry about my soul.

When I was a child and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I...
wanted to be a jet fighter pilot, soldier, architect.

In my free time, I...
read, garden, play soccer.

One of my favorite books of all time would be...
Stuart Little, War and Peace, Lord of the Rings

One of my hidden talents is...
It is too well hidden, I haven't found it yet.

I once won an award for...
sportsmanship.

Will's Smiling Face

Will and one of his Instructors, Fran, stopped their session for a moment to pose for a picture for the blog.



Here he is a few days later at his last day celebration.

Staff Spotlight: Jessica

Where were you born and how long have you lived in Louisville?
Louisville, 25 years, with short stints in Cincinnati and Lawrenceburg.

My school/work background is?
I spent 1.5 years at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music studying Theater Design and Production. I decided it wasn’t for me and now have BA in English from Bellarmine and MFA in Creative writing-Poetry from Spalding.

When I was a child and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I…
...wanted to be the first woman to do something, anything.

In my free time, I….
Write poems, read books, cook/bake, garden, collect LPs, watch Mythbusters and Deadliest Catch.

One of my favorite books of all time would be….
...Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

One of my hidden talents is…
…swing dancing.

I love and I hate…
I love Elvis and hate the State Fair (I know, completely un-American.)

People say I…
…talk too much and drive too fast.

I once won an award for…
President of Most Improved Student Organization (Ariel Literary Magazine)