References and Testimonials
Dynamic Dyslexia are grateful to the
students, parents and professionals who have provided the following quotes
about Linda. Click on the person's name to read their unedited
testimony.
Dr Anne Lennon (Senior Manager, Enquire)
Janice (Student)
Martin (Teacher and Student)
Michelle (Student)
Elaine (Parent)
Kate (Parent)
Julie (Parent)
Elizabeth (Parent)
Elaine 2 (Parent)
Sandra (Head Teacher)
References from Conference Organisers
"In relation to my earlier correspondence you may remember we asked if Dyslexia Scotland could provide a speaker for the Enquire annual conference 2006 on "Making Partnership Work". Linda Kerr kindly gave a presentation on "Parents in Partnership with Professionals". The response to this presentation was very positive with 74% of the delegates who completed evaluation forms rating Linda's presentation as beneficial or very beneficial."
Yours sincerely
Dr Anne Lennon
Senior Manager
Enquire
The Scottish Advice Centre for Additional Support
for Learning.
References from Former Students
Janice
"I started college with a 24 year working background including 6 years of being a Disability Employment Adviser. I started with a disability myself and had a loss of confidence and self esteem because of this.
"I have been a life long learner and have therefore encountered many trainers and lecturers. Linda lectured me on two subjects. She instantly made the whole class warm to her and trust her when she was very open and detailed about her own working history. We also felt free to ask questions about Linda.
"Linda then provided us with an excellent schedule detailing how each lesson would be delivered and by what date we should have achieved the unit. Her classes were an excellent mix of formal and informal and Linda always ensured everyone's opinion was valued. She was able to support us by explaining things in more detail when required. I and My classmates felt very valued as a class.
"Various individuals approached Linda with varying difficulties such as disability, not coping with classwork and exam stress. All of these issues were dealt with sensitively and competently. I would be happy to recommend Linda to anyone who is willing to learn."
Janice Bestow, student, Coatbridge College.
Martin
"Linda has asked me to supply her with a Reference and I am very glad to do so.
"I have not known her work long, but I have attended the first half of her year-long course, I am enjoying it greatly and I would have offered with being asked if I had had any idea that she needed one and needed it from me.
"The course is about helping pupils with dyslexia who in consequence have difficulty with learning to read and write. I have no experience of this work and so have found the course not only enjoyable but helpful in trying to understand the pupils' problems. I do have experience of teaching and of teacher training, though, and I think I can recognize good teaching when I see it. And since I know nothing about psychology, and her work is based on a psychological understanding of teaching, I am learning about this and finding it helps my understanding.
"Linda's teaching is highly organized and structured, but combines those qualities with a ready responsiveness to her students. In other words she is a driver but is nevertheless patient with the awkward ones such as myself. And she helps most carefully those who are struggling, and I know they appreciate her help. And she assiduously distributes written materials which underpin what she does in class and can be taken away and digested, which I find very helpful. You can annotate the handouts, and then bring back questions the next time you go to class.
"As an English teacher, I have usually found that if a class is not enjoying itself, it probably isn't learning very much. I have therefore always tried to make my classes enjoyable, and so does Linda. I have the advantage that I can choose literature and language that different classes will enjoy, but even without this advantage Linda's classes are very good fun, and we all seem to feel that we're learning what we value and value what we learn. Can I say more? I would be happy to say more, if more is needed."
Martin, Teacher and former student
Michelle
"I am a student that Linda taught about applying the pyschological aspects to childcare. The subject was confusing for a bit but Linda was easy to talk to and she would take the time to explain how and what the lesson was about. Her structure was always thought out and presented in a way for everyone to be able to discuss the difficulties of problems they encountered.
"I feel I really learnt a lot form Linda with her sence of humour helping to make the lesson fun and interesting.
"Linda always took the time to listen to everybody and give solid advice on how to deal with the exams that we had. Linda always had the answers to the questions that we had and would make sure we understood what was being told.
"The ideas Linda expressed made me think on a different level. I enjoyed the lessons that were very flexible without going off the subject at hand."
Michelle, former student
References from Parents
Elaine
"Peter has, through Linda's teaching methods gained a better understanding/acceptance of being dyslexic and is developing coping strategies him daily at school.
"His self-esteem and confidence is improving. Linda has provided me with invaluable advice and support since my first introduction to her.
"I am very grateful to Linda for her assistance."
Elaine (mother of 11 yr old boy)
Kate
"Linda has tutored my children with great success. She has helped my children fully understand their difference in being dyslexic. She has helped them gain more confidence in themselves than any other teacher they have worked with.
"Linda has a very positive approach, both my children enjoy going to Linda's for tutoring and look forward to it. As Linda is a specialist it means her methods of teaching are very different to what they have had before and shows great results. When I first met Linda I was really worried about the boys being dyslexic and about how they would cope.
"Linda has taught us all to find out our strengths and build on them. I now see my children's future as really bright."
Kate (mother two boys, 12 yr old and 9yr old)
Julie
"My daughter was finally diagnosed with dyslexia in primary 3 after years of hitting my head off a brick wall!
"Since my child has been attending Linda she is a different child.
"Linda is providing her with essential skills and confidence to face life with dyslexia and for the first time ever Lauren cannot wait to do the homework for Linda. Linda is the only person who understands her and Lauren just wishes she could attend fulltime.
"There is a lot of stress dealing with a child with dyslexia and Linda has turned this around and made it more positive. I am constantly singing Linda's praises."
Julie (mother of a 9 yr old girl)
Elizabeth
"Before meeting Linda I was a parent in a state of anxiety, I wanted to receive help for my son to achieve his academic goals.
"As a dyslexia consultant Linda motivated and helped boost my sons self-esteem, confidence and ability, enabling him to achieve academic goals. She used techniques suitable for Craig checking with him that everything she explained was understood and workable to him. After tuition sessions verbal feedback was given on how to reinforce the exercises.
"I found Linda to be a mine of information about dyslexia. Anything she didn't know, she knew where to get the answers. If I had any concerns, Linda was only ever a phone call away - she always listened.
"My son felt comfortable working with Linda and any fears or concerns about his academic work were discussed more easily with Linda than with teachers at school."
Elizabeth (mother of Craig now 16yrs old)
Elaine
"Linda helped my son immeasurably. He gained confidence and learned to read and write. I can't recommend her enough."
Elaine (mother of 9 yr old boy)
References from Schools
"Hi Linda. I would be happy to put a recommendation on your website. We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I felt your presentation was pitched at just the right level for both staff and parents.
"Both staff and parents learned more about dyslexia and how we can work together to support the often quite complex needs of a child with dyslexia. I would certainly recommend this to other schools.
Regards."
Sandra Summers Head of School