About

The Literacy Institute

Woodlynde School is recognized as a leader and authority in the field of learning differences and, through its Literacy Institute, serves as an important resource for educators and neighbors beyond the school community. Through the Literacy Institute, Woodlynde is one of a select few Wilson® Accredited Partner Schools in the country. This positions the school to provide not only research-based instruction for students in the Wilson Reading System®, but also high-quality professional learning for the Woodlynde community and the greater Philadelphia area. 
Upcoming Special Events

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  • Jen Cort, LCSW-C

    Athletics, Diversity, Devices, Development: Four New Domains for Children Today

    Thursday, February 2, 2023   |   7:00 p.m.

    It’s not your imagination: Kids today really are different. Today’s youth face four domains that adults either did not experience at all or did not experience in the same way as youth do today. Drawing on her experience as a clinical social worker and educator, Jen Cort reveals what she’s learned about communication, self-advocacy, and creating child-centered environments in the classroom and beyond.

Past Events

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  • Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP

    A New View of Executive Function and Practical Strategies for Building Independence

    Thursday, December 1, 2022   |   7:00 p.m.   |   Virtual

    With over 25 years experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment, and case management of children and adolescents with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain-based learning difficulties, sought-out speaker Sarah Ward presents the latest research on executive functioning challenges and tools parents and teachers can use to change the brain and develop these skills.

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  • Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, MSEd

    Building Resilience in Kids and Teens

    Thursday, October 13, 2022   |   7:00 p.m.   |   Woodlynde School

    An expert in social adolescent medicine, Dr. Kenneth R. Ginsburg, Professor of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania shares insights from his research, teaching, and advocacy to empower parents with the strategies and skillsets they need to strengthen family connections and guide their teens to become their best selves.

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  • Walk In Your Student's Shoes

    Simulating Dyslexia and Executive Functioning Challenges

    Thursday, September 15, 2022   |   7:00 p.m.   |  Woodlynde School

    Join Penny Moldofsky, Director of The Literacy Institute, for a series of small, facilitator-led activities that promise to give you a deeper understanding of what students with learning challenges deal with, what helps them succeed, and what may get in the way of learning.

    Presented in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Branch, International Dyslexia Association (PBIDA).

The Literacy Institute programming provides:

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  • Free panels, workshops, and expert speakers

    for parents, professionals, and the greater community. Past Literacy Institute events have included: a lecture with Dr. Ned Hallowell, psychiatrist, best-selling author, and a leading authority in the field of ADHD; a screening The F.A.T. City Workshop and discussion with the related-book’s author, Dr. Richard Lavoie; and a panel including Dr. Tamar Chansky, psychologist and founder and director of the Children's and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety.
  • Parent guidance and information

    on the Wilson Reading System® and how to support their student in all aspects of literacy.
  • Professional learning for area educators

    in the Wilson Reading System®. Woodlynde School is currently one of a select number of schools in the country designated as a Wilson® Accredited Partner.
  • Progress monitoring

    for Woodlynde students as they gain skill in decoding/encoding, word recognition, and reading fluency.
  • Screenings

    for word-based literacy needs (decoding and spelling) for all Woodlynde students early in September to determine those students who need and will benefit from intensive instruction in the patterns of our language individually or in small groups using the Wilson Reading System® or Just Words®.
  • Support for Woodlynde teachers

    and supervision of student progress in the Wilson Reading System® (provided daily in grades K-5 and based on screenings and assessments for students in grades 6 - 12).
  • Support in guided visualization

    as students, parents, and teachers work together to enhance comprehension.

The Literacy Institute

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Penny Moldofsky

    Penny Moldofsky 

    M.S., Director of the Literacy Institute, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist
    Bio
  • Photo of Kristin McMurrer

    Kristin McMurrer 

    Assistant Director of the Literacy Institute, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, Wilson® Dyslexia Therapi
    610-293-6548
  • Photo of Mark Miller

    Mark Miller 

    Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner, completed WRS Steps 7-12, completed Advanced Strategies for MSL Group
    610-293-6640
    Bio
  • Photo of Mary Anne Keith

    Mary Anne Keith 

    Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner, completed WRS Steps 7-12, completed Advanced Strategies for MSL Grou
    610-293-6780

Wilson® Professional Learning

As a Wilson® Accredited Partner, The Literacy Institute at Woodlynde School offers professional learning for educators that include Wilson Reading System® certification courses.

Previous Speakers

The Literacy Institute at Woodlynde School has brought numerous expert and nationally-recognized speakers to Woodlynde School, including: 
David Geurin
Dr. Jennifer Jackson Holden
Rick Lavoie, M.A., M.Ed.
Caroline Maguire ACCG, PCC, M.Ed.
Jessica Minahan
Dr. Edward Moss
Dr. Tim Odegard
Dr. Thomas Power
Dr. David Rettew
Pnina Siegler
Dr. Frances Sutherland
Woodlynde School is a private, co-ed college prep day school located in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves intelligent, talented students with learning differences in grades K - 12. Woodlynde provides a comprehensive, evidence-based Kindergartenelementarymiddle and high school program in a challenging yet nurturing environment for students with average to above average cognitive abilities (IQ) who have language- or math-based learning differences (such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia or Dyscalculia), Executive Function Challenges, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or Auditory Processing Disorder. Even for those students without a diagnosed learning disability (LD), Woodlynde offers expert and caring teachers in small classroom settings that support academic success. Woodlynde School also offers a post-graduate (PG) program in partnership with Rosemont College as well as a regional Summer Camp for students who learn differently.