Lee Pesky Learning Center Provides Pathways to Literacy for English Language Learners

Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) announces an important leadership transition. Executive Director Maureen O’Toole will be stepping away from her position to attend to family health matters. The entire LPLC community expresses deep gratitude for Maureen’s leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to advancing our mission of helping students, families, and educators overcome learning challenges and reach their full potential.

During her tenure, Maureen guided the Center through a period of growth and adaptation while strengthening relationships with community partners, expanding access to services, and championing programs that ensure all learners have the tools and support they need to succeed. Her empathy, professionalism, and focus on mission-driven impact have left an enduring mark on the organization and those it serves.

Stepping into the role of Executive Director is Dr. Lindy Crawford, who previously led Lee Pesky Learning Center and now returns with optimism and a renewed vision for impact. Dr. Crawford brings deep institutional knowledge, decades of educational leadership experience, and an unwavering commitment to the Center’s mission. Her familiarity with LPLC’s team, community, and the broader educational landscape in Idaho ensures continuity, stability, and momentum during this transition.

“Lee Pesky Learning Center’s professional expertise is second to none and it is my great honor to once again serve alongside an incredibly accomplished and deeply empathetic team,” said Dr. Crawford. “For close to 30 years, LPLC has led educational innovation using an evidence-based approach to teaching and learning. I am excited to play a small part in our continued evolution.”

Board Chair Jim Foudy added, “We are profoundly grateful to Maureen for her care, leadership, and commitment to every learner we serve. We’re equally confident in welcoming Lindy back to guide LPLC into its next chapter. Her deep knowledge of LPLC and her passion for education will be a great asset to the organization during this transition period.”

For nearly three decades, Lee Pesky Learning Center has helped thousands of students, families, and educators overcome obstacles to learning through direct academic and clinical services, professional training, and community partnerships. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bellevue, Idaho—For young children, summertime brings the promise of longer days, playtime with friends, and an opportunity to enjoy simply being a kid. For parents, it can be a time where creativity is applied to navigate childcare, craft a summer camp plan, and secure academic enrichment for their children. This need is all the more urgent for the one in five families who have a child who struggles with a learning disability.

On June 20^th, 2022, Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC)—an educational non-profit based in Boise with satellite offices in Hailey on the Community Campus—launched their Pathways to Literacy program for 30 students in the Wood River Valley. With a focus on children whose primary language is Spanish, this comprehensive, five-week program runs in concert with Blaine County School District, YMCA, I Have a Dream Foundation, and the College of Idaho to provide soon-to-be first and second graders an opportunity to overcome learning obstacles.

This year’s Pathways to Literacy (PTL) program is led by Co-Director Carolan McAvoy and Project Coordinator Jahziel Hawley-Maldonado along with four reading tutors. Students meet with their tutors at Bellevue Elementary School—a site where they are already participating in summer enrichment—and spend 30 minutes four days each week engaging in 1:1 reading intervention.

PTL was initially launched in June of 2020 in response to COVID as a solution to narrow the educational opportunity gap. This summer marks the third year PTL programming has been offered in the Wood River Valley. Additionally, this summer offers more robust staffing due, in large part, to grant funding provided by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the Spur Foundation, and the Wood River Women’s Foundation.

According to PTL Project Co-Director Carolan McAvoy, “It is rewarding to see the daily progress and feelings of success in these 30 young readers.”

As far as what’s next, Lee Pesky Learning Center—in partnership with its students and families—looks forward to the progress that will be made by each student over the course of this summer. Students who need additional support will also be able to receive 1:1 reading intervention throughout the upcoming school year.

In the words of LPLC’s Executive Director Dr. Lindy Crawford, “Statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Education highlight the critical need to provide early reading intervention to Hispanic students. In Idaho, 74% of Caucasian students are meeting or exceeding a basic level of reading proficiency expected at grade four but only 50% of our Hispanic population is meeting that standard. We must do better. This program is designed to provide young learners who are reading below grade level a pathway to literacy.”

Pictured Above: A tutor work with a student to provide 1:1 academic intervention as part of Lee Pesky Learning Center’s Pathways to Literacy program.

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