For more information, please contact:
Teri Smith, Marketing Director
Office: 573-442-4660
teri.smith@independentstavecompany.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Independent Stave Company Continues Multi-Year Commitment to Lebanon Public Schools, Donates $60,000 over Two Years to Establish Teacher Training Program to Benefit Students with Dyslexia
LEBANON, Mo. (July 24, 2017) – Independent Stave Company is pleased to announce its ongoing support to establish a sustainable training program for teachers in the Lebanon Public Schools to improve learning conditions for students with dyslexia. The family-owned business made an initial donation of $30,000 in 2016, and is now making a subsequent donation of $30,000 for 2017 to continue the effort.
“The history of our company is rooted in the Ozarks, and we are very motivated to help our local community, which includes investing in the future generations,” said Brad Boswell, chief executive officer of Independent Stave Company. “This program is an excellent example of an important way we can support students and minimize the barriers to their individual success. We commend the Lebanon Public Schools and the many teachers who work hard every day to make this possible.”
To date, support for this effort has been focused first on a research phase, sending teachers to training programs focused on literacy and dyslexia. Funding has also been used to create tiered intervention to support dyslexic students. Moving forward, Lebanon Public Schools plans to have one teacher from each elementary school attain full certification as dyslexic specialists. Once this is achieved, these teachers will help provide training to other teachers at their schools. Existing instructional coaches will also be further trained to maximize the in-classroom and one-on-one support for students with dyslexia.
“Dyslexia affects many different people in significant ways, and we are committed to learning all we can to help kids be successful, including equipping them with as many skills as possible in an individualized way,” said Michele Hedges, assistant superintendent. “This gift is helping to make that vision possible, and we are leveraging this funding to make a lasting impact through the creation of a sustainable program. We have learned so much about dyslexia and look forward to learning even more.”
Independent Stave Company is a dynamic, family-owned cooperage company reaching customers in more than 40 countries. The company’s Missouri Cooperage, located in Lebanon, Mo., crafts wine and spirit barrels as well as other innovative oak products for wineries, distilleries and breweries around the world. Founded by the Boswell family, Independent Stave Company continues to embrace the core values of family, innovation, community, and hard work.
###