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Press RoomFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: "Building Wings: How I Made It Through School" Builds Struggling Learners’ Confidence, Advocates Self-Learning, Encourages Thousands to Succeed!Parents, administrators and teachers will relate to this familiar story about students who are left behind due to their learning barriers or failed attempts to catch up to grade level.
November 1, 2006—Volo, Illinois—
Don Johnston, struggling learner, educational publisher and life-long student advocate, has written his autobiography, Building Wings to inspire struggling students to become self-learning advocates and take charge of their learning process. Building Wings addresses the 40% of our fifty-five million K-12 student population who are under-performing in literacy skills and are found in every classroom across America today. Parents, administrators and teachers will relate to this familiar story about students who are left behind due to their learning barriers or failed attempts to catch up to grade level. Don’s StoryDon Johnston struggled with core reading concepts until his 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Tedesco, recognized his potential and challenged him to discover new ways of thinking and learning. Building Wings documents the behavioral strategies Mr. Johnston used to disguise his fears and learning limitations from his teachers and parents. It is written with age-appropriate text to respect the interests of older readers while offering the equivalent of a third-grade reading level to enhance the reader's experience. Mr. Johnston said, Building Wings speaks to students who struggle to find the right strategies to help them learn, especially students who feel like it's "too late" to catch up. It reminds teachers to look for signs from struggling students who may be stereotyped as having behavior problems." Fairfax Schools - Student Advocacy Model:In 2007, Fairfax County Schools, Virginia will use Building Wings in a student self-advocacy learning initiative. William Reeder, Director of Special Education: Assessment, Assistive Technology and Support Services, said, "Don's book is sad, funny, engaging and inspirational and details his personal and painful journey as a struggling learner. Fairfax Schools utilize Don's instructional programs to improve students' reading comprehension, writing and critical thinking skills. When our students read Building Wings, they related to his experience and took charge of their learning!" Seventh grader, Alex F., Illinois, said, "Don was brave to tell us his story. It made me think about my learning struggles. I needed more quiet time, so I asked my teacher if I could take tests in the hallway. It made a big difference!" For 27 years, Don Johnston has partnered with literacy authors, psychologists, teachers, researchers, scientists and experts at Vanderbilt University, to serve the needs of struggling learners and to test the strategies developed around the science of how people learn. Kathleen Hurley, Sr. Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Pearson Education said, "Don's book is motivational for students and a thoughtful journey for teachers. It reminds us (educators and publishers) that we face a critical challenge to help every student succeed. We must support our teachers' efforts to identify students who need more assistance." * * * * * Don Johnston's mission is to help diverse learners become successful readers, writers and thinkers through innovative technologies and validated instructional models based on the latest brain research. Call 1-877-253-2892, email buildingwings@donjohnston.com or visit www.donjohnston.com. Photos accompanying this Press Release are the property of Don Johnston Incorporated and may only be used and/or published as accompanying photos with the information found in this release or with specific written approval from Don Johnston or members of his marketing staff. Don Johnston Incorporated | |