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
List of 1 items.
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.
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.
List of 1 items.
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.
List of 1 items.
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:
List of 7 items.
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.
Penny Moldofsky
M.S., Director of the Literacy Institute, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist
Certified Teacher; K-12 Reading Specialist Certification, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer ; University of Pennsylvania, M.S. in Education, Reading and Literacy; B.S. in Education; Previously reading consultant at Benchmark School in Media, PA, and in private practice as The Strategic Reader in Paoli; Speaker at national conferences for the International Dyslexia Association and the National Association of Independent Schools; Board member for the Pennsylvania Branch of International Dyslexia Association; “Take the Lead” Award from the Girl Scouts of America; at Woodlynde since 1987.
Kristin McMurrer
Assistant Director of the Literacy Institute, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, Wilson® Dyslexia Therapi
610-293-6548
Mark Miller
Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner, completed WRS Steps 7-12, completed Advanced Strategies for MSL Group
Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner; K-6 Elementary Education Certification, Level II; Middle Level Citizenship Education 7-9, Level II; Essentials of Human Resource Management Certificate, Villanova University; Cabrini College, M.Ed.; B.A.; Recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; at Woodlynde since 1998.
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.
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 Kindergarten, elementary, middle 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.