Outreach

Partnerships

INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION

PROMOTING TEACHING APPROACHES AND CLINICAL INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is an organization that concerns itself with the complex issues of dyslexia. The IDA membership consists of a variety of professionals in partnership with people with dyslexia, their families and all others interested in it's mission. The Association endeavors to disseminate current research, trends, and tools that optimize programs to assist children with language-based learning differences.

Head of School Ben Shifrin is a former VP of the Board of Directors of the International Dyslexia Association, as well as an honored member of its Hall of Fame; he previously served as the association’s treasurer. In 2016, Jemicy became the first school in the nation to be accredited by the IDA.

DYSLEXIA CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

JEMICY & NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND PARTNERSHIP

Jemicy School partners with Notre Dame of Maryland University to offer a 12-credit graduate dyslexia certificate program with courses developed by Megan McGowan, head of Jemicy Lower School, and other administrators and master teachers. The program teaches those on the ‘front line’ the skills and methods needed to be competent and effective diagnosticians and teachers for all children, not just those with learning differences. Classes are held at both the university and Jemicy School in Owings Mills.

Course offerings will include:

Foundations of Literacy I: A Structured Language Approach for Teaching Students with Dyslexia (3)
Foundations of Literacy II: Moving Beyond the Basics (3)
Foundations of Math: Understanding Math as a Language (3)
The Final Layer: Meaningful Integration of Learning Strategies and Executive Function Skills (3)

This coursework, which also touches on dysgraphia and dyscalculia, aligns itself with the Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading developed by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Upon completion, candidates will be prepared to take the IDA certification exam for classroom educators.

Interested persons should click HERE, then on the “REQUEST INFO” link (bottom of the page); complete and submit the form. Those submitting a form will be contacted by Dr. Jeanette Quinn, Assistant Dean Notre Dame School of Education, who can be reached at jquinn@ndm.edu for additional inquiries.

Excerpts from post-course evaluations:

Out of all the classes I have taken while pursuing my master’s degree, I have learned the most from my Jemicy classes.
The SPE593: The Executive Function class has informed my teaching in terms of a continuation of my learning practices as a veteran educator. The class not only confirmed what I already knew in my “gut” about how students learn and operate, but it has also allowed me to add a few new tools to my teaching tool belt in order to help my future students.
This course has given me a plethora of ideas to use in the classroom that can better serve my students. My first step will be to improve the physical climate in my classroom.
The Final Layer course was perfectly named. I am taking away, from all 4 courses, a bank of strategies that are good for all of our learners.
I learned that as educators we should help shape the environment and model the skills and strategies needed for students with executive dysfunction, as these skills do not come naturally.
I will continue to look at my students’ strengths and encourage them to think positively and never underestimate their abilities.
This course has provided me with concrete ideas and materials to support students for success in and out of school, as well as a framework for incorporating strategies and developing meaningful learning experiences for all

THE DYSLEXIA FOUNDATION

Jemicy is a member of The Dyslexia Foundation (TDF), offering our school direct access to top experts in the field of dyslexia and learning disabilities. For more than 30 years, TDF has been bringing together leading scientists from important fields in dyslexia research, while working to create a bridge between research and practice. TDF’s mission is to facilitate and disseminate scientific breakthroughs and advances in dyslexia through collaboration among neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, geneticists, and practitioners.

DYSLEXIA TUTORING PROGRAM

The mission of the Dyslexia Tutoring Program (DTP) is to work with low-income children and adults who are dyslexic or have a language-based learning disability. This is accomplished through a professional assessment, and if needed, tutoring by volunteer tutors whom we have trained in researched-based multi-sensory skills using the tenets of Orton-Gillingham, a method of teaching reading, writing, and spelling through supplemental programs proven to be the most effective. DTP routinely sponsors Baltimore City students to attend Jemicy’s summer camp and benefit from our creative, multisensory, research-based techniques.

Morgan State University

Jemicy School partners with Morgan State University (MSU) to provide expertise and assistance to align MSU’s undergraduate teacher-preparation program with the Science of Reading (SoR). The phrase ‘Science of Reading’ embodies decades of research that clearly shows how reading works, what it takes to become a skilled reader, and what interventions are needed when typical instructional approaches do not work. Jemicy serves as a resource for MSU Science of Reading curriculum development and is a trusted thought-partner with the university. In addition, MSU undergraduate students have the opportunity to learn from our skilled instructors during Jemicy’s 30-hour Multisensory Structured Literacy Course and serve as interns at Jemicy’s Summer Camp. Many of these interns who benefit from the highly engaging summer experience at Jemicy go on to teach in Baltimore City schools.

UCNLEARN

Founded by dyslexic inventor and educator Amir Bar, UCNLEARN (you see and learn) builds innovative tools that emphasize visual, image-based learning for students with dyslexia, ESL/ELL learners, as well as learners in traditional classrooms. Jemicy’s JE Community is piloting an innovative app from UCNLEARN (Applaud! app in the Apple Store) for engaging, evidence-based, digital learning experiences. The Applaud! app is designed to digitalize the process of reading intervention. It leverages technology such as speech recognition, image recognition, and multisensory design to increase motivation and engagement. It allows our teachers to create blended learning experiences while keeping close track of the student’s progress with advanced learning analytics. The app was selected in Winter 2022 as a semi-finalist in the highly competitive Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge, and as part of an ongoing pilot, Jemicy provides UCNLEARN with important feedback for the development of additional features based on the user experience of our young learners.

Kennedy Krieger Institute

Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) is an international leader in improving the lives of tens of thousands of children and young adults through inpatient and day hospital programs, outpatient clinics, home and community services, education, and research. Jemicy School is engaged in ongoing research with KKI that involves looking at brain and learning differences in children ages 8 through 12 with reading difficulties. Specifically, the research will explore the impact of executive functions on reading, a particular area of interest for Jemicy School.

Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust

The Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust, in partnership with our eighteen independent member schools, recruits and supports through the admissions process academically talented African American students with financial need from the Baltimore area. Once students are enrolled, B.E.S.T. positions them for success through academic preparation, leadership development, and support programs.

THE PAUL RABIL FOUNDATION

Creating programs and partnerships through sport and scholarship

In 2013, The Paul Rabil Foundation established a partnership with Jemicy School and began distributing micro-grant scholarships to students based on their dedicated participation in school sports or other co-curricular programs. Students recognized have shared their talents with classmates, served as ambassadors for the school, and modeled Paul’s belief that students with learning differences can accomplish great things. In addition to the scholarships, the Foundation donates athletic equipment and uniforms for both boys and girls teams. The Paul Rabil Foundation is committed to helping children with learning differences by creating programs and partnerships through sport and scholarship. Learn more by clicking HERE.

MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

Jemicy School enjoys a partnership with the Maryland Biodiversity Project. The Project (MBP) was started in June 2012 by Bill Hubick and Jim Brighton to thoroughly catalogue the living things of Maryland. Over 16,000 species have been catalogued, including over 7,000 species with photographs, featuring the work of more than 500 naturalists and photographers (including some Jemicy students and faculty). The collaboration, which involves many exceptional naturalists in and around Maryland, makes this project an indispensable resource for conservation and education.

Jemicy School students explore their school's habitats and work with Maryland Biodiversity Project to identify, document, share interesting facts, and maintain their school checklist. In the past few years, Jemicy has proudly added new Baltimore County records to the project!

Supporting nature education is a primary goal of MBP, and Jemicy is excited to participate and share our discoveries! Click HERE to check out MBP’s home page and checklist.

GREEN SCHOOLS ALLIANCE

Jemicy joined Green Schools Alliance in 2019, agreeing that as sustainability stewards, our school will set goals, take action, and monitor and share progress in the three sustainability leadership action tracks: