Boise, Idaho, April 6, 2023— 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.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Nate attended the Lee Pesky Learning Center (LPLC) when he was younger to overcome his learning difficulties. As an elementary school student, he would switch around words and had trouble with fluency. Teachers noticed he wasn’t picking up books and he was ultimately diagnosed with a learning disorder.
As Katsuki shared, “LPLC helps kids like me—and others with learning difficulties—overcome those difficulties.”
One thing Nate didn’t resolve in childhood was a fear of reading. Katsuki realized back in 2018 that acting could function like ‘exposure therapy’ and help him overcome his hesitation to act. “Now I’m now much more comfortable and so much more confident just by following my fears,” Katsuki shares. “I credit my parents and LPLC for getting me started and helping me overcome those deficits.”
LPLC, an educational nonprofit which creates pathways to learning for everyone, provides evidence-based services based in the science of learning. At LPLC, young learners are provided academic and clinical services and over 80% of children served have diagnosed dyslexia, a reading disability, and/or ADHD.
In the words of LPLC’s Executive Director Lindy Crawford, “We are very happy to welcome Nate to our board of directors. His personal story is inspirational and his willingness to share it publicly is admirable. He provides a powerful message to young people everywhere—believe in yourself, work hard, and follow your dreams.”
Now, in addition to representing brands such as Converse, Adidas, Bombas, and Fitbit to name a few, Katsuki is representing Lee Pesky Learning Center alongside 16 other board members.
In the words of Katsuki, “Reading is the foundation of education, and the work of LPLC is the cornerstone of building that foundation for young minds. The impact of this work cannot be overstated, as it is laying the groundwork for a brighter future for all of us.”
Photo Credit: Nathan Katsuki
