Early in his career former Proctor Academy Head of School Lyle Farrell (1952-1971) worked alongside Dr. Samuel T. Orton to pioneer the psychometrics and pedagogy of reading disabilities. Farrell would take what he learned from Orton and establish the nation's leading tutorial support system for college-bound, dyslexic students in the early 1950s at Proctor Academy. Through intentional programming aimed at helping young dyslexic boys, the predecessor to Proctor’s Learning Skills program changed countless young people’s lives.
Fast forward sixty years and Proctor’s Learning Skills program has evolved into a national leader in integrated academic support and sits at the heart of the Proctor experience. Behind each Learning Skills “success” story is a Learning Specialist who dedicates their professional life to supporting, advocating for, and empowering that student to embrace challenges and push themselves beyond what they thought possible. Today, we shine a spotlight on the talented Learning Specialists who tirelessly support our students in Learning Skills. Learn more about Proctor’s Learning Skills Program HERE and meet our Learning Specialists in the profile below.
Proctor's Learning Skills Department (2022-2023): Back (L-R): Kayden Will, Michael Littman, Kate Jones, Raz Rasweiller, Jennifer Fletcher, Linda Sargent, Lauren Cole-Johnson, Kristen Nesbitt (Departed Proctor); Front (L-R): Lynn Cox, Joan Saunders, Lori Patriacca (now Dean of Faculty Development), Wendy McLeod, Annie MacKenzie, Casey McCormick, Anna-Marie Hanlon, Karine Dumont. New Members 2023-2024 not pictured: Laurel Shinerock and Ashley Barsanti.
Jennifer Fletcher (Learning Skills Department Chair)
How long have you been at Proctor?
26 years
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I enjoy baking and especially love to make homemade cinnamon buns for my family and friends during the holidays.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
I would love to participate in the Proctor en Segovia program.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
While we obviously work on a wide variety of academic skills and strategies with our students, we also take great care to appreciate our students' strengths and support our students in a holistic way which also includes understanding the social-emotional landscape of teenagers in our setting. In addition, the whole Learning Skills Team is highly collaborative and invested in continuing to grow our own brains and skill sets through the pursuit of both formal and informal professional development opportunities. We are intellectually curious and dedicated to the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Lynn Cox
How long have you been at Proctor?
Around 30 years, except for a two year stint at a nearby college.
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I sang professionally for one year long, long ago and continue to sing in choruses today.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
I'd love to go on Proctor en Segovia to see the castle on the hill.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
The joy that comes with working so closely with students, and helping them to learn how to be their best.
Raz Rasweiller
How long have you been at Proctor?
25 years
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I’m a Reiki Master.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
If I could take one class at Proctor it would be Math III with Lindsay Brown. I visit her classes to do student observations, and every time I leave I say to myself "I wish I could have LB as my math teacher." Her knowledge and overwhelming love of math is quite something!
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
Can I cheat and give you two? One is that Jen Fletcher is gifted in her ability to meet a student on an admissions tour, or read their file and then be able pair them with the perfect Learning Specialist. She is an outstanding leader and also a fierce advocate for kids who need our assistance. Secondly, working with my students day after day reminds me that even when things are tough, with the right amount of support, we can all overcome any obstacle. Working together and asking for help is always better than suffering in silence.
Anna-Marie Hanlon
How long have you been at Proctor?
25 years
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I received a certificate for cartooning at Salem State College when I was in my twenties. My professor was a cartoonist who worked for The Boston Globe.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
That is hard because they all seem pretty awesome. If I could only take one I think it would be Ocean Classroom, because I grew up on boats and love the ocean.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
Learning Skills students are resilient and work extremely hard to overcome some of their learning challenges.
Annie MacKenzie
How long have you been at Proctor?
25 years
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I started at Proctor as a Mountain Classroom instructor.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
I’d take woodworking with Greg or go back out on Mountain Classroom.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
It is such a fun job because we learn every day.
Sarah Whitehead
How long have you been at Proctor?
22 years, but this is my first in Learning Skills.
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I can cradle a lacrosse ball from standing up to lying down on my back and back up again.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
Ceramics, I have always been interested but never had to opportunity to work on a wheel.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
In just 3 months I have experienced the positivity that the students arrive with each day! Unlike the mathematics classrooms there is no emotional hurdle that many students have to climb each day to feel good about themselves in the math classroom!
Joan Saunders
How long have you been at Proctor?
15 years, 19 years when including first 4 years as a parent volunteer in theater.
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I have enjoyed acting, directing, producing, building sets, and now- designing costumes for educational and professional theater for 48 years.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
European Art Classroom in Aix en Provence for sure!
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
Learning Skills provides students opportunities to reach beyond their self-expectations and take risks to discover greater confidence, comprehension, deeper communication, and more fulfilling interpersonal experiences. In addition, they feel supported while discovering how to achieve as stronger academic, technical, and artistic learners.
Lauren Cole-Johnson
How long have you been at Proctor?
15 years
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I love making focaccia!
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
This is a hard decision! I would love to take Botany or APES or Culture and Conflict or Woodworking!
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
I am in awe of the creativity, intelligence, and resilience that my students have. It is both a joy and a challenge learn about learning each day and to support teens with becoming fully who they want to be.
Linda Sargent
How long have you been at Proctor?
14 years
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I love to play pickleball!
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
Mountain Classroom
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
Learning Skills facilitates personal growth as well as academic, embracing who you are as a learner and a person, fostering independence and increasing confidence.
Karine Dumont
How long have you been at Proctor?
10+4, this is my second stint at Proctor after working for ten years earlier in my career.
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
I speak 5 languages
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
I ran Proctor en Segovia for three years and that was wonderful, so now I think I'd choose Ocean Classroom... And for classes I’d live to take Culture and Conflict!
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
Working in partnership with students to help them discover their strengths as learners is super fun and gratifying!
Lori Patriacca '01
How long have you been at Proctor?
13 years.
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
Not so secret, but I love fostering dogs for Great Dog Rescue New England.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
I had the chance to participate in Ocean Classroom and Proctor en Segovia when I was a student. As an adult, I have been so fortunate to lead a summer service trip to Guatemala, to the Rosebud Reservation, and to chaperone the annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference. If I could do one more...I would go on Mountain Classroom for sure.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
One aspect of Learning Skills that folks should know is that we get to see the entire array of Proctor's incredible curriculum and all of the creative, innovative initiatives our faculty pursue alongside students. If you want to know more about the whole picture, just ask us!
Laurel Shinerock
How long have you been at Proctor?
1st Year
What is one fun fact or hidden talent that you have?
Making super-healthy AND super-delicious whole grain sourdough bread.
If you could take part in ONE of Proctor's Off-Campus Programs or take ONE class at Proctor, what would it be?
Ocean Classroom and Wildlife Ecology.
What is one aspect of Learning Skills, or Proctor's Learning Skills students, that you think everyone at Proctor should know more about?
Students who participate in Learning Skills have a lot of opportunities to increase their self-awareness and self-direction. Gaining an understanding of their own unique profile of strengths and weaknesses and the way they learn best gives them confidence to bring their talents to their schoolwork and the world around them.
Learn more about Proctor's Integrated Academic Support Program!
- Academic Support
- Faculty/Staff