Workshops and Webinars

Experience Dyslexia® - In person
Led by Mrs. Jocelyn Gasaway, F-OGA

Experience Dyslexia® is a simulation that is designed to increase awareness of the difficulties and frustrations that people with dyslexia (a specific language learning disability) experience daily. Participants will leave the exercises with insight into working effectively with students with dyslexia and with greater empathy and understanding for the challenges people with this learning difference face. 

Keeping Children Safe in a Digital World

Presented by: Traci Hurley, CFLE, CHOA

Technology can be a wonderful thing, but sometimes the benefits come at a cost. Through social media, online gaming, chat rooms, the internet can expose children to some scary stuff, including bullying, inappropriate content, identity theft, and online predators. It is important for all of us, kids and grown-ups alike, to understand that our online activity can put us at risk. In this presentation, Traci Hurley, an expert at the Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, will discuss the types of technology children use, how they use them, and simple ways to make them safer.

Focus, Feelings, & Frustration: Tools for Supporting Children with Dyslexia, ADHD & Anxiety at Home
Presented by Brennan Chandler, PhD.

When a child struggles with reading, attention, or emotional regulation, it rarely happens in isolation. Many children with dyslexia also experience ADHD, anxiety, or depression, and the combination can feel overwhelming for families. In this practical, research-informed webinar, we’ll explore how these challenges often co-occur, how to recognize the signs, and—most importantly—what caregivers can do at home to help. You’ll learn how to recognize signs of overlapping difficulties and use simple, effective tools to support focus, reduce frustration, and help your child manage emotions more confidently.
 

Bio: Brennan Chandler, PhD, is an assistant professor of dyslexia at Georgia State University, where his research focuses on developing and testing reading and writing interventions for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. A former classroom teacher in both public and private schools, Dr. Chandler is deeply committed to bridging research and practice to support students with persistent literacy difficulties. He regularly partners with families, schools, and districts to focus on translating evidence into meaningful, lasting change for students.

Making Learning Click: How Multisensory Instruction Helps Your Child Thrive
Presented by Jocelyn Gasaway, F-OGA, and Natalie Felix, F-OGA

At Swift School, teachers apply the Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach to instruction in all classroom settings. The OG Approach is built upon the following OG Principles: Diagnostic and Prescriptive; Individualized; Language-Based and Alphabetic/Phonetic; Simultaneous Multisensory; Direct and Explicit; Structured, Sequential and Cumulative, but Flexible; Synthetic and Analytic; Cognitive; and Emotionally Sound. In this presentation, Jocelyn Gasaway, F-OGA, and Natalie Felix, F-OGA, will explore how teachers apply the OG principle of Simultaneous Multisensory Instruction in their classrooms and how parents can use this strategy to support their children’s learning at home.

The Rules of Rule Breaking: Parenting Tools for Unleashing Neurodivergent Brilliance
Presented by David Flink 

Swift School is thrilled to welcome David Flink, nationally recognized learning disability advocate, author, and founder of The Neurodiversity Alliance, formerly Eye to Eye.

David Flink is a pioneer in the field of learning differences and ADHD and a passionate voice for students who learn differently. He is the author of Thinking Differently and has dedicated his life to empowering young people through mentorship, advocacy, and educational innovation.

This special event is open to all Swift families, alumni, and members of the wider community. Don’t miss this inspiring opportunity to hear David share his story, insights, and message of empowerment.

Learn more about David Flink at davidflink.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Impact of Language on Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Presented by Julie Eden, Certified Multisensory Math Coach

Language and math are more connected than most realize. For students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, challenges in sequencing, retrieval, and expression can create barriers to math success. This free webinar, based on Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math Approach℠, will explore how language impacts mathematical learning and what educators, specialists, and parents can do to bridge the gap.

Join Julie Eden as she unpacks practical, evidence-based strategies that integrate visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile methods to strengthen conceptual understanding and fluency. Whether you teach early numeracy or advanced problem-solving, you’ll leave with actionable insights to make math more accessible for all learners.

✨ Free Virtual Webinar — Attend live or watch the replay later at your convenience. Designed for teachers, specialists, and parents committed to empowering students in mathematics.

Math-a-Palooza
Led by Julie Eden, Multisensory Math Coach

Get ready for an afternoon of math, magic, and fun—for parents and their children!  At Math-a-Palooza, you’ll see how learning math can be exciting, hands-on, and full of “aha!” moments. Discover our interactive, multisensory approach that turns math concepts into games, challenges, and activities your child loves in school. Strengthen critical thinking skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of learning—together! This event is for current Swift students and their families.

Experience Dyslexia® - In person
Led by Mrs. Jocelyn Gasaway, F-OGA

Experience Dyslexia® is a simulation that is designed to increase awareness of the difficulties and frustrations that people with dyslexia (a specific language learning disability) experience daily. Participants will leave the exercises with insight into working effectively with students with dyslexia and with greater empathy and understanding for the challenges people with this learning difference face. 

Language and Literacy Connection

Language and literacy are deeply connected. Proficiency in oral language skills serves as a strong foundation for literacy development, enhancing vocabulary, comprehension, phonemic awareness, syntax, and fluency. It is critical to nurture both oral language and literacy skills in educational settings to promote effective communication and reading and writing success. 

Practice Makes Better: A Guide to Supporting Executive Functioning Development 
Presented by Tatiana Matthews, LPC, CRC - Virtual

Join us virtually for this exciting presentation! Is your student struggling with organization, time management, or staying focused? Executive functioning challenges can significantly impact a student’s academic success and personal growth. But you don’t have to navigate this alone! In this essential presentation, Tatiana Matthews will cover:

● What executive functioning is and why it’s crucial
● The common reasons some students face difficulties
● Effective strategies and systems to support and enhance executive functioning

Empower yourself with practical tools and insights to help your student thrive. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or counselor, this session will equip you with the knowledge to make a difference.

Supporting Broad Math Concepts at Home - Presented by Julie Eden - Virtual

Are you ready to transform math learning at home? Join us for an enlightening presentation, "Supporting Broad Math Concepts at Home," where you'll discover the incredible benefits of the Marilyn Zecher Multisensory Approach.  In this engaging session, participants will gain invaluable insights and practical tools to empower learners of all ages to grasp essential math concepts. Our presentation is designed to equip you with the knowledge and resources to create a dynamic at-home math environment that fosters a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. This is a virtual presentation and is open to the community. 

Why Some Students Struggle With Math and What We Can Do About It - Presented by Julie Eden - In-Person

Julie Eden, a certified multisensory math practitioner at the Swift School, will be delivering an insightful presentation by Marilyn Zecher, CALT on the challenges students with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, face in math. Difficulties in auditory processing, working memory, short-term memory, executive function, and ADHD can all significantly impact a student's ability to grasp mathematical concepts. Drawing on the latest research and evidence, multisensory instruction is imperative for effectively supporting these students, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in their math learning journey. This is an on campus presentation and is open to the community. 

Experience Dyslexia - In Person

Experience Dyslexia® is a simulation that is designed to increase awareness of the difficulties and frustrations that people with dyslexia (a specific language learning disability) experience daily. Participants will leave the exercises with insight into working effectively with students with dyslexia and with greater empathy and understanding for the challenges people with this learning difference face. It is engaging, enlightening, and quite possibly an emotional experience.

The Anxious Generation Discussion - Virtual

Swift School is participating in the Same Boat Book Club alongside Courage, The Cottage School, The Howard School, The Sage School, and The Schenck School. Zoom discussions with participating schools are taking place in the fall. On January 15, 2025, Head of School Chris Pomar is hosting a virtual discussion for Swift families only on The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness pertains to Swift School and our students. The event is free but RSVPs are required. 

Unlock the Secrets to Supporting Your Anxious Child: A Parent’s Guide to Effective Strategies
Presented by Teresa Westfall - Virtual

Join us virtually for an engaging presentation designed to give parents a deeper understanding of their child’s anxiety and practical tools to help them thrive. Discover how anxiety affects your child’s mind, learn actionable skills to support their journey, and gain clarity on what strategies work best—and which ones to avoid. We’ll also introduce Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a powerful approach that not only alleviates anxiety but also empowers your child to regain control and confidence. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your child’s challenges into stepping stones for growth and resilience.

Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math Approach Overview  

The Winter Multisensory Math Overview will introduce educators to innovative techniques for teaching mathematics in a hands-on, multisensory way. Participants will learn tangible strategies to make math more accessible for diverse learners.

Demystifying Psychological Evaluations: A Comprehensive Overview
Presented by Diana Leung and Dr. Sally Galanti

Join us for an informative session at the Swift Institute for Learning where we'll dive deep into the world of psychological evaluations. This presentation is designed to equip participants with a clearer understanding of the evaluation process, the language used to interpret results, and the cognitive processes assessed. Key takeaways include understanding reports, decoding the language in psychological reports, and visualizing results. Attendees will work in groups to analyze a fictitious student profile and plot their results on a bell curve. Participants will then discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and implications of the student profile. 

Multisensory Math 3-Day Workshop: Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math Approach™ - (The Orton-Gillingham of Math)
Presented by Julie Eden, Certified Multisensory Math Practitioner

This workshop is an intensive 3-day workshop on the general research, rationale, and principles of Marilyn Zecher’s Multisensory Math Approach™. This substantial introduction to the approach builds on the multisensory tradition and uses Orton-Gillingham instructional strategies, which are supported by evidence from the What Works Clearinghouse, recommendations from the NCTM, neuroscience, and best practices in Mathematics Education. It includes evidence-based strategies we use to meet the needs of all students, not just those who are neurodiverse. Its focus is on the core foundational concepts, providing a firm foundation or providing intervention to benefit all students. This multisensory approach is not simply based on manipulatives but focuses on instructional language and foundational concepts as the key to unlocking mathematics for all learners.