While many mothers of children with learning differences might be overwhelmed with navigating the needs of a dyslexic child, Roberta Lidl was determined to understand all aspects of what her son, Christopher, needed to learn. Lidl, Director of Trinity-Pawling’s Center for Learning Achievement, recalls the challenges of being a young mother in search of support and solutions for her son. “It was transformative for both myself and Christopher when he joined Trinity-Pawling and began learning under the guidance of Helen Hauser, former director of Trinity-Pawling’s Language Program. I was so impressed by Helen’s professionalism — she epitomized how a teacher should teach.” Likewise, Hauser recognized a special quality in Lidl’s diligence and passion. Hauser would become the inspiration and role model for Lidl when she eventually joined Trinity-Pawling’s Language Program teaching team in 2002.
For the past seventeen years, Lidl has been steadily contributing to the program at Trinity-Pawling — expanding and restructuring the curriculum, adding Language Arts and Executive Skills components to the program, ensuring the high-level Orton-Gillingham training for her entire teaching team, and developing The Language through Enrichment, Analysis, and Development Program (LEAD). Lidl attributes the successful growth of this integrated program to her high expectations, “We see the potential in every student, and we are not going to lower the bar,” she affirms.
The Trinity-Pawling Center for Learning Achievement includes a number of support services to assist students in recognizing and reaching their academic potential. Specific instructional programs are available for students who have language-based learning differences; for students with executive function difficulties; and for international students who lack academic English proficiency. To expand support to the entire Trinity-Pawling community, Lidl added The Allen Reading & Writing Lab to the Center for Learning Achievement. The Allen Reading & Writing Lab is the unofficial help desk of Trinity-Pawling, and its scope is extensive. Students can access faculty, peer tutors, and media specialists for a range of guidance, from basic technology questions to short term in-depth writing support.
Lidl’s personal experience and pedagogical acumen enables her to make unique and trusting connections with parents and students alike. Lidl is known to be a challenging teacher, but extremely fair. She adds, “Sometimes the important lessons to be learned are not academic – they are resiliency and grit.” Lidl reflects on her full-circle journey of serving children with learning differences. “At Trinity-Pawling there is constant collaboration that is invaluable, and the needs of students always comes first.”
For more information about the LEAD Program, English Mastery Program, or the Executive Skills Program visit the Trinity-Pawling Center for Learning Achievement page on our website.
by Judy Redder