'Saving' the Lives of Children and Families
Tutors Dyslexics |
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William Gregory is chairman of the Masonic Learning Center
"We are saving families and the lives of children."
That's the proud statement of William Gregory, chairman of the Bay City Masonic 32nd Degree Learning Center.
Mr. Gregory, retired founder of Gregory Construction Co., heads local members of the Masonic order who raise funds and provide free tutoring for students with dyslexia.
The center is situated in the Bay City Scottish Rite Cathedral, 614 Center Avenue. It presently serves 19 children and their families from a 50-mile radius of Bay City with a one hour one-on-one weekly intensive tutoring program. Basis of the program is multi-sensory, highly structured phonics. The cost of tutoring each student is about $5,000.
About 15-20 percent of children are born with dyslexia, described as a neurological disorder which sometimes leads to schizophrenia. Children suffering from dyslexia are of above-average intelligence.
How does the center save families and the lives of children?
"We address the underlying learning problems which cause students and families so much stress," said Mr. Gregory, adding: "By helping the student become successful this creates a more stable home life and helps families stay intact." Dyslexia is the greatest single cause of students dropping out of school.
The center is headed by clinician Sandy Lane, former Whittemore-Prescott school administrator. The Orton-Gillingham method of reading instruction and tutoring is employed in the center. This method,developed by Dr. Samuel T. Orton and educator Anna Gillingham, has become world-renowned. It utilizes phonetics and emphasizes visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles. Instruction begins by focusing on the structure of language and gradually moves towards reading. The program provides students with immediate feedback and a predictable sequence that integrates reading, writing and spelling.
Parents who wish to qualify their children with dyslexia for tutoring at the center must first have a psychological profile of the child done by a psychologist.
The center is open during the school year and for an eight week summer session four days a week, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and can accommodate a total of 24 students. It is one of three such centers in Michigan which enroll a total of 64 students. Other centers are in Detroit and Grand Rapids. The learning centers are a project of the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction, which includes Michigan, and operates 42 centers serving 650 children.
More tutors are sought for the program, said Mr. Gregory. Training which costs about $3,000 and takes 100 hours is provided free.
Parents who have children with learning problems and prospective tutors may contact Sandy Lane at the center, 894-2770.
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