Fulfilling an Educator’s Wishlist
Posted On: March 31, 2025
Imagine a classroom where students, already struggling, faced eight teacher changes in six months, and where proficiency scores plummeted. This was the reality for 26 third graders in St. Louis, a challenge compounded by the disruptions of the pandemic. But amidst this adversity, one retired educator, Shelia Nicholson, held onto an unwavering hope: BrainWise.
For fifteen years, Shelia believed in the transformative power of BrainWise, a program designed to teach critical thinking and executive function skills. Despite facing countless obstacles—funding shortfalls, faculty turnover, and the chaos of COVID—her belief never wavered. Now, in her retirement, she’s fighting harder than ever to bring BrainWise to the students who need it most.
In our latest newsletter, we share the incredible story of Shelia’s determination. Faced with a classroom where students were over a year behind grade level, with only 13% math and 16% reading proficiency, she knew something had to change. Her solution? A grant to bring BrainWise to these struggling learners.
In this article, you’ll see the real picture of what these students were facing – a school year with significant disruptions and academic setbacks, showing the clear need for support and Shelia’s practical plan on how she secured funding, organized the necessary training, and developed a solid strategy to implement BrainWise.
Shelia’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the profound impact of BrainWise. Her commitment to helping children become “lifelong learners and productive citizens” is a beacon of hope.
Don’t miss this wonderful story. Click here to read the full article and see Sheila’s transformative teaching in action.
Read the full article here: https://www.brainwise-plc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Issue-95-BrainWise-Newsletter-March.pdf
