Testimonials

Student Testimonial

John Dostal

I was diagnosed with Dyslexia in the fifth grade. School was an endless source of frustration for me. Even before I was diagnosed, my mother had suspected I had a learning disability. I was not able to follow the readings and assignments the way the other kids seemed to. I had problems with spelling, decoding, comprehension, writing, and math. Ever since the first grade I was pulled out of classes to get extra help, attended summer school to try to catch up, and regularly stayed in for recess to try and finish my work. By the third grade the problems were not only still there but they were getting worse as the work became more challenging. The public school tried everything they could think of with me but it wasn't working. I felt my confidence and academics plummet. I was only in the third grade and I felt like a total failure. All the other kids noticed how different I was. I was isolated and bullied, which only made it more challenging to learn. The end result of this torture came in the fifth grade when I was diagnosed with a learning disability. This was my final year of many hard school years of dealing with the disappointment and sadness of not having my needs addressed appropriately. One day my mom picked me up after school and asked me how I would feel about attending a new school in Westfield called the White Oak School. She told me that this was a school for kids with language-based learning disabilities like mine. Honestly I wasn't sure what to think but I figured anything was better then where I was now.

From the first day I entered White Oak I knew things were going to be different. The classes moved at a pace I could follow, there were breaks built into the schedule so I never felt overwhelmed, we had a Tutorial class everyday that broke reading up into strategies I could relate to, and we had Oral Expression class which focused on the oral language skills that I needed to communicate in the real world. The classes were much smaller and I could get a lot of one-on-one attention. The teachers taught the same strategies like essay writing, research skills, organization, and time management in every class. Socially I felt like I fit in and made a lot of friends. The other kids learned like I did so there was no ridiculing from others. I played on the soccer team and participated in so many after school activities. As time went on I learned to read and how to comprehend what I was reading. I learned step-by-step how to write essays and edit them. I learned what my disability meant and how to advocate for myself. I learned how to organize my time and plan ahead. I learned study skills and how to take a test. As many seniors at White Oak do, I took a college course at Springfield Technical Community College. My Tutorial teacher worked with me every day helping me to read my assignments, discuss the material, and guided me on generating my written assignments. It was an amazing experience. I got an A. I knew then how far I had come. The strategies that I learned at White Oak were total different then my experience in public school. I am certain that attending White Oak changed the course of my life.

Today, I am attending American International College studying to become a Physical Therapist. I have been nominated into the International Honor Society, am on the Dean's List, and take 5 courses per semester. White Oak has taught me the tools to handle this rigorous academic load. Over my years at White Oak I have learned to self-advocate, organize my time effectively, prioritize my work load, and problem solve. Once I could not read or write a single sentence now I have the confidence to try new things and flourish academically. The strategies I learned and White Oak have created a sense of optimism in my life and I now can't wait to learn new things every day. I am so thankful for my time at White Oak and for the future that is now in front of me.

Student Testimonial

Max Zadworny

School was always a challenge for me. I just always seemed behind everyone else. I was a good athlete and had lots of friends but I always felt off in my classes. I was diagnosed with a learning disability in middle school. My mom was an educator and she knew something wasn't quite right. I was not able to decode or spell. I worked so hard trying to decode the words that I completely missed what was happening in the reading. As the work became increasingly harder at school I feel farther and farther behind. The teachers always seemed disappointed in me. They would say that I needed to try harder, what they didn't realize was that I was really trying my hardest but still didn't get it. My self-esteem became really low. I began to dislike school and reading. I felt that no one understood me or how I learned.

In the 8th  grade I began attending White Oak School. I had a Tutorial class that began teaching me strategies how to decode. Over time I covered all of the syllabication patterns and I finally began to be able to read. My teachers worked tirelessly with me teaching me at a pace and in a way I understood and could relate to. I began reading books, discussing them, and enjoying them. I learned step by step how to write essays, organize my time, and follow directions. Oral Expression class taught me how to speak in public. Science and Social Studies class taught me how to read and understand narrative text and write about it. Math taught me more than numbers but also how to solve problems. By the 10" grade my confidence really started to grow and I became a great student. When I graduated in the 2014 I knew that all my hard work and time at White Oak had paid off and given me the tools I needed to move to the next level.

Today I am a member of the United States Air Force. And work as a Fuel Systems Maintainer. I have completed Basic Training and attend college in the military technical school studying Air Force Aero Space Engineering. The skills that I learned at White Oak have enabled me to successfully navigate through this experience. I am so grateful for my time at White Oak. I could not have made it where I am today without the strategies they instilled in me.

Student Testimonial

Averett Bass

I had struggled in school for as long as I can remember and thought I would never learn to read and write. I felt like the whole world just got school except for me. It was frustrating and overwhelming to always feel like school was moving at a pace I couldn't keep up with. I entered the White Oak School as a fifth grader in 1997 and my whole world changed. Over time I learned how to decode and spell. I learned how to understand what I was reading and how to construct writing. I began to understand how to manage my time and ask for help, and most importantly I learned how my brain works and what my strengths and challenges were. Year after year I acquired new skills and graduated from High School in 2005.

After graduating from White Oak I began attending Westfield State University. I majored in Psychology and minored in Sociology. I was able to use all the skills in essay writing, research, reading comprehension, time management, oral expression, and self-advocating that I learned at White oak to navigate through my college classes. I graduated from Westfield State University in four years and made the Dean's list four times.

Shortly after receiving my undergraduate degree I applied for a social work position at the Department of Children and Family. I got the position and started my career in social work. In addition to my full time position with DCF, I began to attend Springfield College (part-time on weekends) to start my master's degree in social work. I received a fellowship that financially funds 2/3 of my mater's program. Since then I graduated in 2016 with my Master's Degree (Phi Alpha Honor Society). That same year I become a Licensed Certified Social Worker. I am currently pursuing my LICSW, which would allow me to practice therapy independently.

At the start of this year I was made a supervisor in my department and oversee four-five social workers and hold between 20-25 cases involving abuse or neglect. I review cases while ensuring that families are receiving appropriate services. I review court reports and assessments that are completed in my department and educate and train my team. This is important work and requires a strong skill set to be successful. I was fortunate to have received the education I did at White Oak and am confident that it prepared me for the role I now serve.

Parent Testimonial

Carla

(Parent class of 2027)

The best description or image I can share about White Oak School, their amazing, talented staff, and the feeling of community found there, is one of moving from utter frustration and darkness and finding light and comfort. Truly, I think the educational system will beat down the spirit of a child with a learning disability in such a way that families get lost and wonder what will become of their child that cannot read, or write, or remember information, or have sadly reached the point in their young lives that they give up. I have had a unique view of this heart-wrenching process; as a mother and an adult basic education literacy teacher.

I have been a literacy teacher for more than a decade. My students are ages 20 - 60+ years old and range from non- readers to 4th grade level equivalent. Our program is designed for adult learners up to 8th grade level. Every day I watch these courageous adults come back to an educational system that failed them in the most profound way. The road has been long for them. An inability to read and write effects every aspect of a person's life. It unfairly labels them and disables them in a way their learning challenges never would; if only they had a place like White Oak School. The trauma of failure in their school years does not vanish with time, on the contrary, it is with them all the time. As a mother of 4 children, two were diagnosed with Dyslexia and other complicating factors. I knew only too well that without the appropriate learning environment, my children could be the adult students sitting in my classroom.

My son and daughter are 12 years apart in age. I watched while my beautiful, bright, creative kids fell down into despair with a sense of failure they did not deserve. Finding White Oak was a life saver for our family... both times. Each of them found a community of educators who totally understand that every student is an individual, every student learns in their own unique ways and everyone has strengths and challenges. Their curriculum is designed for every child's individual learning needs to be met through a one-on-one, daily tutorial with an experienced, licensed teacher. Every class is structured with small groups of students following the same guidelines and frameworks set forth by the State as every other school. And, every staff person at White Oak understands that kids need room to move, they need time for breaks, they need sports, art, clubs, and fun. And, maybe most importantly, they get that every child needs to be seen and heard and cared about. I can attest to the commitment these educators have because many of the same teachers that taught my son, now in his mid-twenties, are also teaching my 13 year old daughter. I think my family is evidence that everything White Oak is doing for children with language-based learning disabilities works.

Perhaps I can sum it up best with a quote from my son. Just 2 weeks after he started at White Oak I asked him how he felt about his new school. I have carried the moment of his response with me every day since. He paused and then responded " You want to how I feel? I feel triumphant!" And there it was, the light. White Oak is transformational.

Parent Testimonial

Crystal

(Parent class of 2022)

I wanted to thank all of White Oak for everything they have and continue to do for my son. Ms. Michalski and Ms Daley have been tremendous in their continued support of him. They are never shy of helping out with emotional and physical support. Mr. Welch had also been a great support person in and out if the classroom and Mr. Girard is one of the best teachers and knows how to reach my son. He has grown so much in the past year and this year has been one of the best in terms of how much he has grown and is succeeding. I truly believe if he was anywhere else that' he would be lost or fall through the educational cracks. The White Oak community is small and I think this is why we feel as if we are a tight knit family. The staff never feel obligated to help, instead they all offer what services and talents they have. At first he felt forced by staff to participate in an Audio/Video Club but he loves it and the staff knew he would. They push him to do his best. Even math is going great. He is enjoying cooking even if the acts as if he isn't. Thank you to all the staff! I do not always say it or show it but we appreciate all of you.

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