Pencils Down with Jamie Williamson Episode 2: Alexis Pochna, Director of The Windward Institute

Jamie Williamson sits down with Director of The Windward Institute Alexis Pochna for a special Dyslexia Awareness Month episode of Pencils Down. Together they dive into Alexis' journey from assistant teacher to leading the crucial work of The Windward Institute, and discuss the various opportunities the Institute offers for teachers, families, and the greater community. The Windward School Official Website⁠ Windward is a coeducational, independent day school dedicated to providing a proven instructional program for children with language-based learning disabilities. The multisensory curriculum is designed for students of average to superior intelligence who can benefit from the unique educational experience provided. Through direct instruction in small class settings, a trained staff assists students to improve their language skills. Academic success, combined with opportunities for social and emotional growth within an intentionally diverse and inclusive setting, enables students to understand their learning differences, build confidence, and develop self-advocacy skills. Windward is committed to helping students achieve their full potential in preparation for a successful return to a mainstream educational environment. To meet these goals, the School provides ongoing training to its faculty based on the most current research and shares its expertise with the parent body, other educators, and the broader community. Our Vision: A world where every child with a language-based learning disability is empowered to achieve unlimited success. Our Core Values Commitment – Windward maintains a disciplined and rigorous approach to all we do, and our every action is guided by an unparalleled commitment to a world where every child with a language-based learning disability is empowered to achieve unlimited success. Growth – We believe that everyone is capable of growing and learning. At Windward, a growth mindset is shared by all and takes many forms, from academic growth for students to ⁠professional growth⁠ for faculty and staff. Impact - Each day Windward strives to serve as many students as we can and to make a life-changing and transformational impact on every individual child in the classroom as well as within the ⁠greater learning disability population⁠⁠.⁠ Community - Windward believes in fostering a strong, cohesive, and collaborative culture and building a ⁠diverse and inclusive community⁠ that puts our students at the center of all we do, and where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. At The Windward School, we are committed to a world where every child with a language-based learning disability is empowered to achieve unlimited success – a vision fulfilled by disrupting the educational status quo. The Windward School deliberately builds both its curriculum and culture to foster a powerful sense of belonging through a research-based program that is authentically inclusive and a community in which everyone is seen in their full humanity. ​ The Windward School aspires to bring forth students who are culturally engaged critical thinkers, confident self-advocates who understand and celebrate their differences, and upstanders who identify and challenge all forms of injustice. Windward is committed to these values and expectations of its community members by embracing the importance of ongoing anti-oppression dialogue and critical conversations; by advancing educational equity in underrepresented communities, especially those historically marginalized by society; and by working to ensure that our program is accessible to all who need it.​