Lee Pesky had learning disabilities at a time when there was little understanding of common issues like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. His family struggled to find the support Lee needed in overcoming his obstacles to learning. They did the best they could with the few resources available at the time, and Lee was able to complete college and become a business owner. After their son passed away in 1995 at the age of 30, Alan and Wendy Pesky founded Lee Pesky Learning Center to honor Lee’s legacy by helping children with learning differences in a way they weren’t able to help their son.
Our vision is to create a pathway to learning for everyone.
Our mission is to work together with individuals, families, schools, and communities to understand and overcome obstacles to learning.
We accomplish our mission through five strategic commitments:
Honoring the 2024 Pesky Award Winners At Lee Pesky Learning Center, we believe in the transformative power of exceptional educators who inspire, guide, and make an indelible impact on their students’ lives. This belief aligns with the vision of the Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching, established by our founders, Alan and Wendy Pesky, in partnership…
Executive Function (EF) refers to the essential mental processes that help us plan, organize, solve problems, manage emotions, and regulate our actions. These skills are crucial in everyday life and especially vital for success in learning environments. For students, EF plays a critical role in their ability to break down large assignments, prioritize tasks, manage…
As part of this dynamic network, we join a collaborative effort to bridge resources between Idaho communities and the military, offering vital services to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce (IDVCC) is dedicated to supporting Idaho’s military community by providing essential resources in areas such as education, housing,…
We are excited to share that our very own Executive Director, Maureen O’Toole, was recently featured by Idaho Partners for Good (IP4G) in their newsletter! Maureen has been an incredible supporter of IP4G, contributing her time and expertise to the Nonprofit Success Lab, where she educates and empowers organizations across Idaho. In her spotlight, Maureen…
Lee Pesky Learning Center Offers Live Webinar: Understanding and Supporting Students with Dyslexia Boise, ID –Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) is excited to announce its Fall 2024 Professional Development Webinar on Understanding and Supporting Students with Dyslexia. This 2-day, 15-hour live training will provide educators with essential skills and knowledge to effectively support students…
Lee Pesky Learning Center Welcomes New Executive Director and Advancement Director We are excited to introduce two new members of the Lee Pesky Learning Center team: Executive Director Maureen O’Toole and Advancement Director Brittany Sundell! Maureen O’Toole joins LPLC with over 20 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership. She has served in diverse…
According to a recent news release, Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) is launching a new course that equips educators with evidence-based tools and strategies to create inclusive environments.
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on May 20, 2024 The Lee Pesky Learning Center announced the establishment of an endowed chair of clinical psychology to honor the efforts of the center’s late co-founder, Wendy Pesky. Pictured here from left are her son Greg Pesky and husband Alan Pesky. (Photo courtesy of Chad Case Visuals) BOISE —…
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) has been named an Official Charity Partner for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place Sunday, November 3 and is one of 60 races produced annually by the nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR). LPLC will be among the record 598 charity partners providing runners the opportunity to add meaning to their miles.
Lee Pesky Learning Center started off the new year with a resolution—to provide year-round literacy support to elementary-aged English Learners in the Vallivue School District. What began as a goal, turned into reality thanks to a $40,000 grant recently received from Silver Family Foundation (SFF).
Idaho’s outstanding teachers have been honored annually since the Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching (PAIT) was first established in 2011 by Lee Pesky Learning Center’s Co-founders, Alan and Wendy Pesky. In partnership with Boise State’s College of Education, PAIT recognizes inspirational K-12 teachers who make a difference in the lives of their students through passion and caring.
On Nov. 29, Lee Pesky Learning Center received $15,000 in grant monies from CapEd Credit Union. This funding is part of a multi-year $45,000 grant poised to provide support to LPLC for early childhood programming from 2022-2024.
The Lee Pesky Learning Center, a nonprofit organization that helps kids with learning differences, expanded their literacy programming services this fall to English learners in Blaine County after a large surge of Hispanic residents into the area over the past couple of years.
The Lee Pesky Learning Center is expanding its literacy programming this fall for English language learners in Blaine County.
The Lee Pesky Learning Center has received a $50,000 grant from the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Inc., to create inclusive early childhood environments.
Boise, Idaho— This past August 2023, Lee Pesky Learning Center’s Grants Manager Dr. Tracey Hodges co-edited a newly released book: Assessing Disciplinary Writing in Both Research and Practice. LPLC Executive Director Dr. Lindy Crawford and Educational Specialist Ashley Rowe, as well as Dr. Tracey Hodges, were contributing writers.
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on August 10, 2023 Effective reading curriculum relies on asking young readers to sound out words. At Alturas Elementary School, the district hosted a summer literacy program for students who speak English as a second language. Blaine County School District’s summer school program partnered with tutors from the Lee Pesky Learning…
Ketchum, Idaho, July 25, 2023– Eye on Sun Valley recognized Wendy Pesky, LPLC’s late co-founder, in a beautiful tribute by Karen Bossick.
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) was featured on KTVB Channel 7 news in light of learning disabilities awareness week.
This spring, Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) celebrated 26 years of service across the state of Idaho.
Boise, Idaho– This past May, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, highlighted their partnership with Lee Pesky Learning Center via their Stories of Impact blog series.
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho state data reveals that only 55% of Idaho first-grade students are reading at grade level.
Lee Pesky Learning Center welcomed a new board member to the table to help advance the mission—Nathan Katsuki. Currently a Brooklyn-based model, creative designer, and actor on the Netflix Show Kaleidoscope, Katsuki’s ties to supporting students with learning disabilities span well beyond the desire to ‘give back’. They are personal.
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) was featured on KTVB Channel 7 news as part of the Idaho Today Community Corner segment.
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) has been named an Official Charity Partner for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 5. Lee Pesky Learning Center will be among more than 550 official charity partners providing thousands of runners the opportunity to run in the world’s biggest and boldest marathon.
A number of districts and charters have started focusing on and offering dyslexia training. Organizations like Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) have risen to meet the need with newly created, in-person hybrid and online classes designed for school staff. The strategies LPLC offers will help not just those with dyslexia, but all students, to learn to read. And that’s essential, because reading is the gateway to a lifetime of learning.
Jerry Sturgill is a former Wall Street lawyer turned investment banker. After a successful career as a partner of Latham & Watkins, an international law firm based in New York City, he returned to his home state of Idaho and founded an SEC and FINRA registered investment bank, Galena Capital, specializing in mergers and acquisitions…
Supporting students with dyslexia, that’s the goal for Gem State educators. After House Bill 731 passed last July, Idaho educators for grades 6th thru 12th are now required to seek instructional certification for dyslexia.
This summer, Boise State University (BSU) undergraduates will have a new opportunity to take their learning to the next level with the support of Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC).
On Thursday, November 24, 2022, CBS2 partnered with CapEd Credit Union to highlight educators and organizations creating an impact in the early childhood sector across the state of Idaho.
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) received the first of three disbursements of a $45,000 grant from CapEd Credit Union on Dec. 5. LPLC is a 501c3 education nonprofit headquartered in Boise.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Wendy Pesky, LPLC’s Co-Founder. Wendy’s passing is a personal loss for the countless people that she knew and a monumental loss for Lee Pesky Learning Center. We invite you to read about Wendy’s life and the incredible impact she had on others as shared by the Idaho Mountain Express below.
LPLC extends a warm welcome to our three newest board members– Dana Herrman, Jim Foudy, and Dr. Lisa Gabel. We are grateful for your leadership. Dana Herrman is Senior Managing Director of Silicon Valley Bank and the co-head of TMT equity trading. Prior to SVB, Dana was an SVP at Bernstein for 14 years…
September 22, 2022— Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC), an education nonprofit based in Idaho, has been approved by Idaho’s State Department of Education to offer a course which fulfills the dyslexia professional development requirement for educators.
Boise, Idaho—On September 1st, 2022, Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) received the first—of three disbursements—of a $1,000,000 grant from Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare (DHW).
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.
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.
Boise, Idaho— This past month, Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) celebrated 25 years of service to the Idaho community. Established in 1997 by Alan and Wendy Pesky, LPLC honors the life of their son, Lee, who unexpectedly passed away from a brain tumor at the age of 30. As a child, Lee struggled with learning disabilities, not unlike the one in five people today.
Boise, Idaho (May 2, 2022)—Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) is accustomed to partnership. In fact, since its founding in 1997, LPLC–a non-profit dedicated to supporting students, families, and schools in overcoming obstacles to learning–has trained educators in 43 of 44 counties in the state of Idaho.
Lee Pesky Learning Center was named an Official Charity Partner for the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon, taking place on November 6. Lee Pesky Learning Center will be among the 500 official charity partners providing thousands of runners the opportunity to run in the world’s most popular marathon.
Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) is accustomed to receiving gifts from those whom they serve on a daily basis—a magical ‘aha’ moment experienced during a teacher training, a milestone reached by a student, or confidence gained in a counseling session. However, on February 16, 2022, LPLC received a surprise contribution from a community member who had never received services at the center.
In her 35 years as an educator, Lee Pesky Learning Center’s Professional Development Director, Cristianne Lane, is no stranger to leading writing workshops for teachers and children. Cristianne, and the experienced training department at LPLC, facilitate writing workshops of which hundreds of teachers across the state of Idaho have attended. A published author herself, Cristianne and LPLC staff realize the importance of fostering a love of learning in young children.
Alan and Wendy Pesky, founders of Lee Pesky Learning Center, have been honoring outstanding teachers since 2011 with an award they created–the Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching (PAIT). In partnership with Boise State’s College of Education, PAIT recognizes inspirational K-12 teachers in the state of Idaho and beyond who make a difference in the lives of their students through passion and caring.
On Friday, December 3, 2021, CBS2 featured Lee Pesky Learning Center as part of their Leaders in Learning series. The segment sheds light on the various ways that LPLC is supporting students in Idaho (and beyond) and how local community partners such as CapEd Credit Union are collaborating to strengthen early childhood learning in Idaho.
On October 15, 2021, Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) received support in the amount of $600,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Support from the Kellogg Foundation—November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2024—will increase high quality childcare through training and coaching early childcare providers using research-based best practices to support whole child development.
On November 6, 2021 News 12 Brooklyn featured former Lee Pesky Learning Center student, model, and marathon runner Nate Katsuki. Nate, along with eleven other runners representing LPLC, will be running in this year’s New York City Marathon on November 7th to raise funds and awareness for LPLC.
Lee Pesky Learning Center Co-Founder, Alan Pesky, is releasing his new memoir titled More to Life than More: A Memoir of Misunderstanding, Loss and Learning on September 7th (Skyhorse Publishing). In his memoir, co-authored with Claudia Aulum, Alan Pesky grapples with difficult life questions as he chronicles his relationship with his son, Lee Pesky, who died unexpectedly of a highly invasive brain cancer in 1995 at 30 years old. To honor Lee’s legacy, Alan founded Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) in 1997.
Lee Pesky Learning Center CEO, Dr. Evelyn Johnson, recently spoke with Boise Public State Radio’s Gemma Gaudette about Pathways to Literacy, a program serving as a direct response to school closures amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Johnson is also joined by an LPLC parent, Maria Aguilar, and a tutor of the program, Jack Johnson. When asked…
Our very own Professional Development Director, Cristianne Lane, was recently featured in an Idaho Press article discussing Idaho Lawmakers’ decision-making process about implementing full-day kindergarten. With Lee Pesky Learning Center’s mission to understand and overcome obstacles to learning in mind, Cristianne highlighted the reality that the key to closing educational opportunity gaps for our most…
Announcing The Let There Be Project A Collaborative Project Benefiting Lee Pesky Learning Center and The Alliance of Idaho The Let There Be project was dreamed up by Alan and Wendy Pesky to benefit The Alliance of Idaho and the Lee Pesky Learning Center, both Idaho-based nonprofits. The Alliance of Idaho protects the human…
Mario Pile, Assistant Director of Development at Boise State University is passionate about improving education for underserved students. Prior to his role at Boise State, Mario worked at the Idaho Youth Ranch. His commitment to students and experience in the field of development will make significant contributions to the LPLC Board. Robert Sanchez, LTC (Retired)…
Alan Pesky recently published Leading From Values in Leader to Leader, “an award-winning quarterly report on management, leadership, and strategy” published by the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. In Leading From Values, Alan identifies the foundational values of Lee Pesky Learning Center. He makes a compelling case that these values still define LPLC today and continue…
On Thursday, August 13 LPLC held the third and final session in the Creating Pathways to Learning for Everyone listening series. This series is being hosted and moderated by The Community Library of Ketchum, ID. During session three, Dr. Evelyn Johnson, CEO of Lee Pesky Learning Center, and moderator Martha Williams, Program and Education Manager…
On Wednesday, July 29 LPLC held the second session in the Creating Pathways to Learning for Everyone listening series. This series is being hosted and moderated by The Community Library of Ketchum, ID. During session two, Dr. Evelyn Johnson, CEO of Lee Pesky Learning Center, and moderator DeAnn Campbell, Children’s and Young Adult Director of…
Lee Pesky Learning Center is excited to announce the arrival of its new Executive Director, Dr. Lindy Crawford! Dr. Crawford joins LPLC from Texas Christian University where she was a professor and administrator. Dr. Crawford was also President of the Council for Learning Disabilities. Dr. Crawford will guide LPLC’s operations and advancement, as well as…
On Tuesday, July 14 LPLC kicked off its Creating Pathways to Learning for Everyone listening series. This series is being hosted and moderated by The Community Library of Ketchum, ID. During session one, Dr. Evelyn Johnson, LPLC CEO, and Dr. Jenny Emery Davidson, Executive Director of The Community Library, laid out the current landscape of…
School closures have widened the already existing opportunity gap in education. If we do not address these inequities full-on, there will be lifelong consequences for children who struggle. Forecasts based on historical data from summer loss and previous school closures during natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina suggest that students will return to school this fall at about 65%…
The Lee Pesky Learning Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce Mark Hamachek has joined the Board as its newest member. Mark is a resident of Seattle, Washington and is passionate about supporting students with learning and attention challenges. Mark is the founder of H Group, an advisory and new venture development firm as…
High school students – are you starting to think about college? Now is a great time to get started! Figuring out what you want to study, where you might want to go, and then what steps you need to take to apply can seem overwhelming. That’s why we created this free, on-line resource that will…
Lee Pesky Learning Center was given the opportunity to be featured on Storyfort Presents: Voices of Treefort Music Fest podcast. Christian Winn, Director of Storyfort, focused this week’s podcast on the festival’s non-profit partners and how they are adapting during the time of COVID-19. And how the community can support non-profit needs through Idaho Gives.…
Lee Pesky Learning Center was given the opportunity to be featured on Where’s Larry on KTVB News as part of Idaho Gives. To hear more from Larry’s interview with LPLC CEO, Dr. Evelyn Johnson, click here. To learn more about LPLC’s Idaho Gives campaign and contribute, click here. Idaho Gives ends at midnight, May 8,…
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Bernice Stern, grandmother of Lee Pesky. Mrs. Stern passed away on Saturday, April 18 after 103 years of love, family and friends. Mrs. Stern and her late husband, Milton Stern, are the parents of Wendy Pesky, LPLC Co-Founder and Board member. Bernice and…
English Virtual Parent Event Kindergarten readiness is the key to continued success in school – and beyond. And we know just how critical parents are to the process. That’s why we’ve published our “Virtual Preschool Parent Events” to help preschool families navigate home learning during this unique time (también disponible en español a continuación). Please participate…
By Dr. Evelyn Johnson and Cristianne Lane This article originally appeared in Idaho Ed News Voice. You can view the original article here. Teachers and principals across Idaho are doing their very best right now to provide online instruction and to be a support to our communities. The response of school districts across the state…
We have compiled a great list of kindergarten and first grade resources for parents and teachers. These resources include literacy, math and self-regulation activities and routines that can be done at home or school! Kindergarten and first grade literacy and math resources Scholastic Learn has a wonderful website full of books and activities for preK-9th…
We have compiled a great list of preschool resources for parents and teachers. These resources include literacy, math and self-regulation activities and routines that can be done at home or school! Preschool Literacy Resources Language and Vocabulary Resources: Sesame Street has a wonderful website full of fun games for children! Storyline highlights famous people reading popular children’s…
One in five students has a learning or attention challenge, and Idaho sixth-grader Jacob is one of those students. Jacob has dyslexia and dysgraphia, which can make it hard for teachers to understand what Jacob needs to be successful in and out of the classroom. Thankfully, Jacob and his mom found the Lee Pesky Learning…
By Tom Michael In Fall 2019 I ran the New York City Marathon on behalf of the Lee Pesky Learning Center, the only non-profit in Idaho to put together a charity team. I don’t work in education but in public radio. Three years ago, I moved to Idaho from Texas. When I arrived, I had…
LPLC, ISPA Co-host Annual Conference The 2019 Idaho School Psychologists Association (ISPA) Conference took place on October 3 & 4 in downtown Boise. Lee Pesky Learning Center partnered with ISPA to bring this opportunity to educators, school psychologists and others from across the state. The focus of the conference was on best practices for students…
Hi, I’m Greg Pesky. I am the Chair of the Lee Pesky Learning Center Board of Directors. I am proud to serve in this role and strategically guide LPLC as it strives to create pathways to learning for everyone. I’m also Lee’s younger brother. My connection to LPLC runs deep – and has kept me…
On October 4th, Governor Brad Little issued a proclamation designating October as Dyslexia Awareness Month in Idaho. We were thrilled to be at the signing to support and celebrate the work of Decoding Dyslexia of Idaho, whose advocacy led to this important milestone. The next day, Decoding Dyslexia hosted Idaho’s first Dyslexia Awareness Summit, sponsored…
Lee Pesky Learning Center is proud to report that we have completed Year 1 of the IELP. We worked in seven Idaho school districts and # preschools: Caldwell, Kuna, Nampa, Jerome, Shelley, Mountain Home, and West Bonner. The project is focused on four goals: 1. Train teachers from PreK – 2nd grade to implement evidence-based…
Lee Pesky Learning Center hosted over 130 guests at its 22nd annual Pathways to Learning Event, on May 8, 2019 at the Boise State University Alumni & Friends Center. This annual anniversary event focuses on bringing together partners in the community to learn about the work of LPLC and how it is reflected nationally.
