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Grier School's LEArningPower!(LEAP!), our academic support program that includes Learning Skills classes, Student Support and Private Tutoring, uses a multi-faceted approach to best support students who have struggled academically in other settings. While the LEAP! program does keep abreast of the latest research and trends, best practices - rather than passing fads - dominate Grier School's approach to empowering students with the tools needed to close gaps and improve skills. At all times, students benefit from the best practices that suit their specific educational needs.
Our program allows students to participate and thrive in Grier School's college-preparatory classes without any sense of stigma. Additionally, the team-approach allows for seamless communication between all concerned parties, further ensuring success. As a testament to this approach, many students advance out of the LEAP! program by the senior year, confident and prepared for success in their future academic endeavors.
Learning Skills
For students still developing organizational or study skills or for those who need additional personalized instruction in specific subject areas, including, but not limited to math, science, social studies, and language arts. The Learning Skills Department provides regularly scheduled instruction built into students' daily agendas. The Learning Skills teachers, who meet with students one period each day, also serve as the liaison for a student's team of parents, teachers, and administrators. Additionally, students enrolled in a Learning Skills class receive weekly comments from each of their academic teachers. These comments are shared with parents via email so that everyone may stay informed of progress. Students with Educational Evaluations administered by licensed psychologists will have an Education Plan created for them. These plans enumerate classroom modifications that should be provided to help the student with academic work.
A typical Learning Skills class matches one experienced teacher with one to three girls. Direct instruction in a small group setting is used during every class period. The Learning Skills teachers offer guided reading strategies to aid students when extracting meaning from texts. Additionally, teachers implement scaffolding and leveled questioning techniques to help students build upon known skills and increase their proficiency levels. Test-taking strategies may also be discussed in these class periods. Ultimately, the desired outcome of our Learning Skills class is that students develop the techniques and self-confidence that will help them succeed and enjoy their education.
Student Evening Tutoring Program
There is a study hall period for all students every evening, Sunday through Thursday. During this time, many students study in their rooms or in the library. For students requiring a more structured study hall experience, the Student Evening Tutoring Program offers additional academic support in the evening hours. It is in these small, grade-specific groups that students work on academic projects, essays, and nightly homework under the supervision of one of our Student Support teachers.
Private Tutoring
For those students in need of additional instruction for a specific subject area the LEAP! Program also arranges for private tutoring in a one-on-one environment, which is arranged with the Head of School.
Jeanie Gerber is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where she majored in Special Education. She is well-versed in deciphering the various IEPs that need to be maintained for a few Grier students each year. Her manner is quiet, yet persistent, giving her students a steady support in their Grier School work. She has organizational skills that are exemplary so her students are urged to follow her example.
Shelly Davis received her B.S. and M.S. in Special Education from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. Shelly comes to us from the Mid-West. She has taught students with learning disabilities and emotional problems in both the Middle School and High School levels. In the early 90s, Shelly coached women's basketball at NIU. In addition to teaching Learning Skills classes, she also participates in the tutoring program after school. Shelly enjoys teaching lessons on study skills and test-taking strategies. She is married to Professor Todd Davis, who teaches for Penn State University and they have two teenage sons, Noah and Nathan.
Greta McCracken is a learning skills teacher at Grier. She was born in Altoona, PA. A fter attending a local high school, Greta completed one semester of college at Shippensburg University and then transferred to Pennsylvania State University where she graduated in May of 2005 with a B.S. degree in Secondary Education/ Social Studies. She also minored in Psychology. Greta was married to Ryan the summer of 2009 and lives in State College and has a new son as of August 2011.
Learning Skills Faculty
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