Learning Specialist, Priscilla L. Vail, M.A.T. is Featured Speaker

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH: Lawrence School is pleased to present learning specialist and author, Priscilla L. Vail, in a free parent meeting on Thursday, October 11, 2001, and a full-day conference on Friday, October 12, 2001. The parent meeting, entitled Emotion: The On/Off Switch for Learning, will be held at Lawrence School, located at 1551 East Wallings Road in Broadview Heights from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The full-day conference, Smart Kids With School Problems: Things to Know and Ways to Help, will be held at the Hilton Cleveland South, 6200 Quarry Lane in Independence, Ohio from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Priscilla L. Vail, M.A.T. is a nationally recognized learning specialist and consultant on the identification of different learning styles and their accommodation. The author of 14 books, Vail leads teacher training and parenting workshops for schools and organizations such as Harvard Graduate School of Education, Columbia University and York and Cambridge Universities in England. She is Education Director for the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health and has been featured on PBS, National Public Radio and the BBC. Her articles on education appear frequently in professional journals including a regular column in Perspectives, the publication of The International Dyslexia Association.

At the free parent meeting on Thursday, October 11, Ms. Vail will explore the relationship between emotion and learning. Drawing from research, clinical experience and common sense, she will offer practical suggestions for issues such as motivation, memory, homework and the development of productive emotional habits.

The full-day conference on Friday, October 12 is designed for education and medical professionals. Ms. Vail will explore the world of the "conundrum child": The math whiz who cannot read; the budding artist who cannot spell or solve a simple math equation; the coordinated athlete with undecipherable handwriting. Ms. Vail will help participants understand and solve the puzzle of these challenging students, evaluate their problems and utilize strategies for dealing with them in the school environment and at home. Her presentation will provide effective methods to break the cycle of anger, fear, pressure, self-doubt and frustration, making it possible to turn school failure into school success. This program is approved by the Ohio Psychological Association, the State of Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board and the Northeast Ohio Education Association for continuing education units.

Lawrence is an independent, state-chartered, coeducational day school that serves bright children with learning disabilities and attention deficits, including dyslexia, in grades one through nine. Our ninth grade program, beginning Fall 2001, is considered the first step toward the addition of a complete college-preparatory high school program serving students in grades nine through twelve. As the only school of its kind in Northeast Ohio, Lawrence serves students from 10 counties and 70 communities throughout the Greater Cleveland and Akron area.

Reservations are required for both events and seating is limited. Cost for the full-day conference is $65.00, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and parking. For registration information, contact the Lawrence School Public Relations Department at 440.526.0003.

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