Although Shirley Pennebaker, M.Ed. has a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders, it is her independent work the last 20 years, for which she sought no degree, that has earned her place among leading educators of our day.
In 1978, as a “Learning Disability Resource Teacher,” Shirley Pennebaker, M.Ed. began her quest for better teaching solutions, which would lead to higher overall success rates for her students. Venturing off the educational model and seeking information from medical journals and researchers, Shirley stumbled upon persons we know today, as pioneers in neuroscience and psychology related to brain research. Shirley’s entire approach to teaching changed to reflect a model more in line with scientific approaches rather than educational.
By 1981, she was chosen to pilot the first self-contained classroom for the severe learning disabled for the LaGrange City School System.
Shirley was influenced by Yerke’s Primate Center research utilizing the application of computer technology to facilitate language.
In 1985, Shirley set out to stimulate the students’ occipital lobe. Stimulus-Response became the driving force for each student’s individualized education program and curriculum guide.
1986 - she began first camp for implementing her philosophy of “TONING FOR LEARNING” and then LEARNING, Just for the fun of it! A.D.H.D. & Dyslexic students showed marked improvement in attention, impulsivity & reading ability.
By 1989 she realized Brain Jogging methodology as a successful tool for increasing and enhancing the student’s ability to “process” information more efficiently and rapidly, a requirement for reading fluency within six weeks.
1993 - Created her first computer program to make application of her theory of the importance of general visual-verbal processing for overcoming learning deficits.
In 2005, Shirley was nominated for the “Woman of the Year in Technology for Small / Medium Business” award for her unprecedented success for her unprecedented success with Brain Jogging.
To Present: After 10 years of success with students utilizing Shirley’s methodology to enhance cognitive processing time, hundreds of articles in the various areas of brain research are validating her sound approaches.
By utilizing technology for facilitating language processing, learning, and memory, Shirley has led severe underachievers or non-achievers to becoming highly motivated learners. Shirley’s students’ vast improvement in record time without tutoring has been extraordinary!
“Mrs. Pennebaker has motivated our son in ways that no one could ever do through conventional teaching methods. She stands alone as far as I know, in this methodology of treating learning disabilities.” - Parent
Shirley working with child during Academic Reserve session
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