Outreach & Workshops

Churchill Center & School’s Sandra K. Gilligan School Partnerships & Outreach Program is essential in strengthening our mission of fostering greater understanding and support for all people with learning disabilities by training other educators, supporting families, and enlightening the community.

Since the inception of our Community Outreach Program in 1990, more than 37,500 educators, parents, students, and other supporters have been given the opportunity to experience and broaden their understanding of learning disabilities.

We offer Teacher Workshops, Parent Workshops, Student Workshops, Community Service Events, and a Speaker Series. Each one of these programs offers our community a variety of services to recognize learning disabilities and to then equip the participants with strategies and knowledge to offer further assistance.


Reviews from Outreach Program Attendees:

  • “What a great role model Churchill Center & School is for our community.”
    – Educational Program Director
  • “Please accept my gratitude for your willingness to come and speak with our staff. There’s a lot of exciting things happening with study skills — a daily “organizational tip of the day,” teachers actively teaching study skills, and many more ideas brewing.”
    – Middle School Director
  • “You had a positive impact on me when you presented at our school, and I am still using your references.”
    – High School Principal
  • “Faculty members found the topics to be pertinent and directed to their needs and concerns.”
    – Learning Consultant
  • “The speakers were fascinating and I am avidly reading their book, Overcoming Dyslexia. I am very impressed with the knowledge base of the teachers at Churchill as well as their dedication and professionalism!”
    – St. Louis Area Psychologist
  • “Both presenters were terrific and all in attendance left with a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to begin a new school year.”
    – Elementary Principal

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Community Outreach Speaker Series – Dr. David Walsh (Educator Session)

Dr. David Walsh is an award winning psychologist, best selling author, and international speaker. In 1995, he founded the internationally renowned National Institute on Media and the Family, which he led until 2010. In 2011 he founded Mind Positive Parenting to translate cutting edge brain science to everyday practice for parents, teachers and other professionals.

Dr. Walsh's Educator Session will focus on the following...

Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain.
Adolescence has been described as a "normally abnormal stage of life". This workshop, based on Dr. Walsh's best selling book, explains exactly what happens to the adolescent brain on the path from childhood into adulthood. Revealing the latest scientific findings in easy-to-understand terms, Dr. Walsh shows why moodiness, quickness to anger, willingness to take risks, miscommunication and other familiar teenage behavior are so common - all linked to physical changes and growth in the adolescent brain. This workshop goes beyond the well-known issues of hormones and peer pressure. Dr. Walsh will show participants how to use this information to understand, communicate with, and stay connected to their kids.

The Brain Goes To School: What Science Tells Us About Student Achievement.
Recent discoveries in brain science are revolutionizing many fields, including education. Dr. Walsh connects the dots between brain science and the classroom to show how educators can improve students' concentration, boost their energy, and enhance their retention and creativity.

Grit: What It Is, Why It's Important and How to Help Kids Get It.
"Grit" technically called "executive function", is critical for school and life success. It determines how we learn as opposed to what we learn and includes the ability to concentrate, manage impulses and behavior, passion, perseverance, resilience, focus, and motivation. Dr. Walsh will explain why it is so important and will describe the six traits that undermine it. Including:

• Toxic stress
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of sleep
• A culture of "more, fast, easy and fun"
• Misuse and overuse of technology
• Disappearance of free play

More importantly, he will provide practical strategies for assuring that 21st century youth develop the grit traits that will ensure their success and happiness.

Cost is $125.00 per participant. Lunch will be included.

To register with a P.O. contact Mary Brotherton at 314-997-4343 or mbrotherton@churchillstl.org

Churchill's proven methods and well-trained faculty change the lives of children who struggle with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities.