Language Learning Center

The Good Hope Country Day School is pleased to offer Orton Gillingham-based tutorial support, under the direction of Wendy F. Canning F/AOGPE, through the Language Learning Center (LLC).

Individuals appropriate for the program are diagnosed with a language-based learning disability such as dyslexia through an academic skills assessment, conducted by Ms. Canning or through a psychoeducational assessment obtained elsewhere. If an evaluation has been previously completed, it will be requested to determine the appropriateness of this intervention and to aid in the development of an individualized plan.

Cognitive abilities of those diagnosed with language-based learning disabilities must yield average potential. The LLC program is not designed to meet the needs of students who have learning difficulties that are the result of primary emotional or behavioral problems, below average cognitive ability, Pervasive Developmental Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The Center is led by Wendy F. Canning, an Orton-Gillingham Fellow (F/AOGPE), Learning Disabilities Specialist, and Educational Diagnostician. Ms. Canning has over thirty years experience working with learners of all ages. For the first twenty-five years of her professional life, she worked at the Pine Ridge School in Vermont for adolescents with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, as their Orton-Gillingham teacher trainer and Dean of Academics. She is also a past member of the Board of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. From Hawaii to Vancouver, Japan and Singapore, and most recently St. Croix, she has shared her expertise about learning disabilities, the structure of language and the Orton-Gillingham approach. Ms. Canning has also been a frequent presenter at the International Dyslexia Association annual conferences since 1989. Central to her work as an educator is helping remove the stigma that often accompanies the label of “learning disability”, and to focus on the strengths and talents of these unique learners. Ms. Canning moved to St. Croix in 2009 with her husband Joshua Canning (GHCDS Educator) and daughter Shea Sweeney (2010 Alum) and joined the Good Hope School, and the Good Hope Country Day School in 2013.

 

Outreach

The Language Learning Specialist and Good Hope Country day School are committed to staying abreast of the latest research-based techniques for teaching children with learning differences, and committed to finding opportunities to share that knowledge with the community. From time to time learning opportunities will be offered to parents, and the general public.

GHCDS Language Learning Center FAQs

GHCDS Language Learning Center Additional Resources