New Executive Director role for Groves Academy to spearhead literacy education initiatives
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn., Jan. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Groves Academy, the St. Louis Park educational organization that has become a national leader and pioneer in literacy and educating students who have learning disabilities, is gearing up to improve literacy for an even wider audience. Today, the Groves Academy Board of Trustees announced the promotion of John Alexander to the newly created position of Executive Director of Groves Academy. Alexander has been Head of School since 2005.
"John is a visionary who is driven to improve the way we teach all children," said Board Chairman Tom Schnack. "He is the key to our efforts to redefine the way our nation is taught---one student, one teacher, and one school at a time."
"It has been wonderful to watch our school grow and continue to improve the state of our literacy instruction over the past years," Alexander said. "I'm excited to take all that works at Groves and apply it through our other programs to help those outside our school."
During his tenure at Groves Academy, Alexander has developed more advanced resources and expertise in literacy with teachers, schools and organizations, targeting K-12 students in the Twin Cities, throughout Minnesota, and beyond.
It's an approach that works. At Groves, 100% of students have one or more learning disabilities such as dyslexia or an attention disorder like ADHD and arrive at the school reading below or significantly below their grade level. The average student advances over two grade levels in reading their first year.
"My passion is to leverage the Groves approach to literacy in order to help close the reading achievement gap here in Minnesota which is sadly among the worst in the nation," Alexander said. "I believe we have a moral obligation to democratize good literacy instruction."
In his new role, Alexander will focus on the growth of the three strategic programs at Groves: the school, which helps students with average or above average intelligence and learning differences reach their full potential; The Learning Center, which provides educational services to the community; and the Institute for Professional Learning, which shares the proven Groves teaching methods and strategies with other educators and schools. Alexander is a national expert and Minnesota leader in reading reform with a Master of Education from Harvard University specializing in reading and language-based learning disabilities.
About Groves Academy
Groves Academy is a national leader and pioneer in educating students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities and attention disorders, and is the only organization of its kind in Minnesota. The premier 1-12 school in St. Louis Park was founded in 1972 and currently enrolls 255 students. Through research-based curriculum and personalized instruction, Groves Academy helps students build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences. The Learning Center at Groves Academy provides diagnostic assessments for individuals who have learning differences in the community from preschool-age to college and beyond, as well as tutoring, academic summer school programs, speech and language therapy, assistive technology training, and college counseling. The Institute for Professional Learning provides teacher training opportunities and partners with other schools and organizations to advance literacy instruction. Groves Academy is also a key resource center for the community, holding workshops regarding learning disabilities and attention disorders, an annual college fair, and other events for the public.
About Head of School John Alexander
John Alexander has been Head of School at Groves Academy since 2005, and has expanded the school's programs and community outreach to increase awareness of reading and learning disabilities.
He was the 2009 recipient of the Star Literacy Award from the National Association for Reading First. Alexander also writes a literacy blog, with information on the latest education research and advocacy. For more information about the innovative work at Groves Academy, visit www.grovesacademy.org. To schedule interviews, contact media liaison Robb Leer at 612.701.0608.
Contact:
Steve Hall 952.283.3300 or
Robb Leer 612.701.0608
SOURCE Groves Academy
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