The Dyslexic Advantage featuring Krista Weltner: Community Event

Join us on Monday, October 26, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Tomlinson Theater at Jemicy’s Upper School to explore and celebrate the strengths of the dyslexic brain. Krista Weltner; author, puppeteer, illustrator, and stop motion animator will be sharing her inspirational journey as a dyslexic learner. Her puppetry work is featured in Laika Studio’s recent film “Wildwood.”  Her book series, Everyday Adventures of Molly and Dyslexia will be available at the event. Krista shares, “Writing and illustrating my book series about dyslexia is one of my proudest accomplishments!” 

We will also be viewing the 2025 documentary, “The Dyslexic Advantage,” featuring Krista and other powerful dyslexic success stories. The film is reshaping the public understanding of dyslexia, moving beyond the usual narrative of struggle to highlight that one of the world's most prevalent learning differences is a powerful engine for creativity, problem-solving, and discovery. The film explores the unique cognitive wiring of dyslexic individuals—who make up nearly one in five people—which has been a driving force behind some of humanity's greatest achievements in science, art, and entrepreneurship.

For decades, the conversation around dyslexia has been overwhelmingly focused on its challenges, particularly in reading and writing. While these difficulties are real, this narrow view has overshadowed a remarkable scientific truth we have known for years at Jemicy: many dyslexic individuals have a distinct advantage in how they think. The film brings this to light through the compelling stories of highly successful people who don't just live with dyslexia but thrive because of it.

The evening will conclude with a panel discussion of experts who understand how to develop dyslexic strengths, including Jemicy alum Jason Michael Berman ’98, award-winning producer and founder of A/Vantage Pictures, whose debut feature, Highest 2 Lowest, was directed by Spike Lee and starred Denzel Washington; Tiffany Garner, Psy.D., psychologist and educational evaluator; Harry Heaps ’18, alum and assistant director of development at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey; and Steph Jesse, Upper School English teacher, Jemicy parent, and dyslexic learner. 

Please share this information and bring some friends. Space is limited so, RSVP today!