SIM Learning Strategies help turn career goal into reality

In 1986, when Patty Graner received her assignment to teach SIM Learning Strategies at Loggers Run Middle School in Boca Raton, Florida, she had no idea what that assignment would mean to her or to her students. As it turned out, the event was life changing for Patty and especially for one of her students, Mark. She learned about a new way of teaching; he learned a new way of learning. 

A typical middle schooler, Mark was funny, gangly, chatty, sometimes loud but always respectful. He wanted to become a police officer like his father, but there was a chance that his learning disability would put that goal out of reach. Mark participated in an English Language Arts/Learning Strategies class with Patty or another learning strategies teacher  throughout his three years in middle school and then selected to take learning strategies  as an elective for three years in high school. He learned an array of strategies: Word Identification, Paraphrasing, Self-Questioning, Visual Imagery, Sentence and Paragraph Writing, LINCS Vocabulary, Test-Taking, Self Advocacy, SLANT, FIRST Letter Mnemonic and generalized them into his high school classes and beyond.  Mark graduated from high school successfully, and he was a remarkable co-learner with Patty. They became experts together!

Fast-forward to 2017, Mark is one of the most respected K-9 officers in his county. He, his wife and two children have two retired police dogs that live with them and his current K-9 parter, Bako.  Over his 16 years on the force, he and his dogs have apprehended hundreds of suspects,  been protectors of their community as well as valued representatives of their police force in Boynton Beach, Florida. Mark and his dogs are busy daily, patrolling their community and visiting schools, malls, and community organizations to demonstrate their talents. Mark and his dogs are frequently featured on the local news. He and his partner Hutch received top honors in the 2012 South Florida Police K-9 competition. That gangly, middle schooler is also respected by his former teacher who learned so much from and with him.

Patty Graner

KUCRL Director of Professional Development

Lawrence, KS