Our learning specialists serve as a bridge between students, parents, and teachers. The overall goal is to help each boy figure out his own strengths and challenges. By providing skills and strategies, each boy learns to navigate classroom work, assignments, projects, and tests as they become confident in taking ownership of their learning pathway.
Learning Resource Center
The Learning Resource Center provides a dedicated space for boys and teachers to meet with learning specialists as needed or on a scheduled basis.
Reading Groups
In Kindergarten through Fifth Grade, learning specialists and homeroom teachers teach reading in small groups to build the skills essential for success in English in later grades.
Testing
Learning specialists track each student’s testing progress and collaborate with teachers to analyze results and identify areas for skill or subject support.
Collaborating with Teachers
Allen-Stevenson uses a collaborative teaching model where teachers and learning specialists review classroom content to reinforce key skills. We also encourage boys to self-advocate by meeting with teachers to check assignments or review notes.
As needs arise, learning specialists meet each boy at their “point of need,” providing appropriate support and enrichment.
Venesha Cashdollar, Director of Learning Resources
Ways We Provide Support
We recognize that boys grow and develop at different rates, and we tailor our support accordingly. Faculty meet regularly to review each student’s learning profile, ensuring we understand his needs and strengths. When a need is identified, we assess it carefully and develop an individualized plan—whether it involves added challenge, targeted guidance in a specific unit, or longer-term support spanning multiple years.
How We Work
- Identify a boy’s needs and meet with him and his teachers.
- Develop a tailored learning plan based on his learning style and goals.
- Share the plan with parents when appropriate to support learning at home.
- Collaborate with students, teachers, and outside specialists as needed.
- Maintain regular check-ins to monitor progress.
- Support each boy in building confidence and self-efficacy.
Working with Parents
If the learning specialists feel the student's needs require parental involvement, they will reach out to the parents to devise a plan together to support him.
We push into a class for whoever needs support. Sometimes the strongest student might have trouble working with others, so we step in to provide the necessary tools for him to succeed.
Meg Wall, Dean of Upper Division Student Learning and Support
