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"He has excelled a lot since he's been
coming to FLI. He has really improved his reading.
He has received 13 awards at school. At home, we use the reading
techniques he has learned at school and at FLI.
I have seen a very big, positive change in his attitude towards
school and following directions."
Parent of 5th grade student
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History
In February 1999, several members of the Community Academic Success
Team (CAST), a local citizen advocacy group, formed to support the
Ann Arbor Achievement Initiative, met to discuss plans to host a
reading conference in Fall 1999. As the discussion progressed, it
became clear that a reading conference - while raising awareness and
bringing attention to the issues of reading and literacy - was not
a sufficient strategy for addressing the achievement gap effectively.
Rather, a more sustained, community-based, long-term strategy was
needed to help these young people succeed.
Doris Sperling, a former school teacher, and Lefiest Galimore, a community services professional,
committed themselves to plan, design,and implement the Family Learning Institute.
The program design was ultimately
based on the recommendations of five focus groups consisting of
diverse representatives from the community, area universities, colleges,
and Ann Arbor Public Schools. Recommendations included targeting
students in grades 3 through 8, designing a comprehensive focus
on students, parents, teachers, and tutors, and creating a multi-dimensional
curriculum to teach reading, writing, and thinking skills.
Professional Staff
Executive Director - Amy Conlin Rolfes
Amy is an Ann Arbor native and attended Ann Arbor public schools. Amy has been a classroom teacher in both regular and special education. Amy has a BA and MA in Education from the University of Michigan, and has been lead teacher at FLI for two years.
As Executive Director, Amy guides the organization, advocates for students and informs and educates the community about FLI. If you would like Amy to speak to your organization about FLI, please contact her at amy@familylearninginstitute.org or call at 1-734-995-6816.
Teachers
Skilled and experienced classroom teachers guide our academic program. They
teach, design individual plans for each student, monitor growth through ongoing assessment
and testing, and provide guidance and support to our parents and volunteers.
Angela Mehney, Literacy Teacher
Angela has a Bachelor of Science degree with an Elementary Education Certification in grades Pre-K through 8 from Central Michigan University . Angela has been a QRI tester with FLI since the fall of 2007 and will lead reading and writing sessions with our students.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is composed of community members, professionals,
and educators. The Board provides governance and oversight, decision-making
on policies, and ensures resources and funding.
Vicki Blayney, Co-Chair
Jeffery Harrold, Co- Chair
Laura Conlin, Vice Chair
Daniel Rubenstein, Treasurer
Kelly Stupple, Secretary
Thomas Dew
Scott Holda
Judith Hommel
Mary Maynard
Jennifer Melchi
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