team_sylvialeck

SYLVIA LECK

During her 35-year career in Learning Support and Special Needs Education, Sylvia Leck has been an advocate for change and development in this important area of education. In addition to her teaching activities, she has served on the Committees for Special Education for the European Council for International Schools and the International Baccalaureate Organisation. She established the first branch of the British Dyslexia Association in Singapore and is a member of The British Dyslexia Association, The International Psychological Association (IPA) and The Orton Society (USA). Mrs Leck has one son who was educated in the IB Programme and is now working in London. Foundations for Learning was founded in memory of Sylvia’s husband, David Leck, who was a gifted and popular teacher at Zurich International School, and who died in 2008. Read more about the career path of Sylvia Leck.

dummy-person

DR PAUL DECKER

Paul Decker is the Director of Psychological Services at Foundations For Learning.  He oversees the work of the practitioners in this department and also undertakes his own clinical work.

Paul trained as a clinical psychologist in the UK and has a Bachelors degree in Psychology (from University College London) and a Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (from the University of East London).  He has been working as a psychologist for over 11 years across a range of populations, including children and adolescents (where his core work currently lies), people with learning disabilities and adults.

Paul provides individual psychological support to help people manage many difficult emotional states including worries, stress, anxiety, low-mood, depression and controlling anger.  He is also involved with assessment of areas such as social/communication difficulties, intellectual functioning and attention.

dummy-person

POLLY THOMAS

Polly is an experienced qualified special needs teacher who has worked for more than 15 years in the UK and New Zealand teaching students with a wide range of special needs in a number of different educational settings. She has a Psychology degree, a Post Graduate Certificate in Primary Education and a diploma in Special Education.

In addition to classroom teaching, Polly has been an Assistive Technology advisor and is familiar with a wide range of assistive technologies that can be used to support students learning. Polly has run regular training sessions for schools in early literacy skills for students with special needs, supporting students who have communication difficulties and the use of Picture Exchange Communication Systems. She is also an expert on Clicker 5 software, which is used to build writing skills.

dummy-person

JOANNA BRITTAIN

Joanna is a learning support and literacy specialist with over ten years experience of teaching English and basic skills in the UK, to children experiencing a wide range of learning difficulties.

Joanna has been responsible for the planning and implementation of literacy strategy programmes in two UK secondary schools, with a mixed method approach incorporating accelerated phonics, assessment and tuition for dyslexia, and support groups for bilingual learners.

Joanna has a degree in in English Literature and Media Studies, and postgraduate certificates in difficulties in literacy development, such as dyslexia, and teaching English as an additional language.

dummy-person

AMANDA DAVIS

Amanda Davis recently moved to Zurich from New York City. Following her Master’s degree in education, Amanda has spent the last 12 years working with children ranging in age from 3 to 15 with a wide range of autism spectrum disorders, including preverbal and verbal children and children with Asperger’s syndrome. She is qualified in Applied Behavior Analysis and in Verbal Behavior therapy, has experience with the Picture Exchange System (PECS) and has been trained in the principles of the TEACCH program (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children). Amanda has a Masters degree in education.

dummy-person

APRIL REMFREY

A classroom teacher, therapist, and group presenter since 1998, April has extensive experience working with children with exceptional needs. She has taught in the private, public and international sectors.

April and her family recently moved from Seattle (USA) to the Zurich area. In Seattle, April was the co-founder of Peers Actively Learning Social Skills. PALSS assisted students with social deficits by addressing self-awareness, peer relationships and problem solving through hands-on activities. She has a keen interest in helping children develop the social skills that will enable them to be more successful both in the classroom and in life. April’s other passions include helping struggling students in the areas of writing and mathematics and leading parenting workshops.

April holds a Bachelor’s degree in General and Special Education and a Master’s degree in Exceptional Education.