International Dyslexia Association Names New Vice President

BALTIMORE, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is pleased to announce that Baltimore-based dyslexia expert Ben Shifrin has been named vice president of the organization's Board of Directors. Shifrin, head of Jemicy School in Owings Mills, Md., has been a member of IDA's Board of Directors since 1992 and has served as the organization's treasurer since 2006.

"We are thrilled that Ben Shifrin will continue to serve IDA as our new vice president. He has an unparalleled understanding and passion to help those who struggle with dyslexia and other learning differences," said IDA President Eric Tridas. "We are looking forward to working with Ben to continue our mission to support and advocate for individuals with dyslexia, their families, and professionals in the field."

Shifrin, a dyslexic himself, grew up with many of the same academic challenges that his students face today, and he has made a life's work of finding ways for bright students with language-based learning differences to succeed in academics and in life. His unshakable belief in the potential of children with learning disabilities led to his appointment in April 2013 to the U.S. State Department's Office of Overseas Schools Advisory Committee on Exceptional Children, where he works with families and educators in overseas schools regarding the identification and nurturing of children with special needs, both those with learning challenges and those of high ability.

In addition to his roles at Jemicy School and the State Department, Shifrin is a board member of the Dyslexia Tutoring Program and a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the Learning Disabilities Association. He is also a prior board member of the Los Angeles Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

His awards include the Outstanding School Administrator Award - International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council's (IMSLEC) Innovator Awards; the Jerry Dean Medallion Award - Outstanding Service to High School Option Programs in Los Angeles; the Emma Johnson Award - Educator Most Likely to Succeed, Temple University; and the Orchid Award for Outstanding Service to Learning Disabled Students in Continuation Schools, LAUSD.

Shifrin earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. degree in Administration and Special Education from Temple University, distinguishing himself by graduating summa cum laude with both degrees. His first administrative role was as a special education administrator in Los Angeles' Unified School District. He then served as the head of Westmark School, one of California's premiere institutions for students with learning differences. 

In 2002, he moved to the Baltimore area to become head of Jemicy School after being identified and recruited for the position through a national search. Currently celebrating its 40^th year of exceptional education, Jemicy School provides a highly individualized, flexible, and challenging program for above-average to gifted college-bound students with dyslexia or other related language-based learning differences.

About the International Dyslexia Association
The International Dyslexia Association is a non-profit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of dyslexia as well as related language-based learning differences. The IDA operates 43 branches throughout the United States and Canada and has global partners in 20 countries, including Australia, Brazil, England, Germany, Ireland, and Japan.

For additional information please visit www.interdys.org. For media inquiries, please contact Lisa Harlow of Clapp Communications at (410) 561-8886 or at [email protected].

SOURCE International Dyslexia Association