Jake Sussman, Westport Native and Founder of Superpower Mentors, developed one of the world's most effective online mentoring programs designed to empower youth and young adults with learning differences. In this episode, Jake recalls the challenges of being a student with hidden learning disabilities and how his journey, although painful at times, fueled him to launch an organization that would propel the potential of neurodiverse students.
Key Takeaways:
• “You can't teach a kid how to learn anything when their entire relationship with it[education] is pain.”
• The mission of Superpower Mentors is to empower the next generation of neurodiverse thinkers to confidently succeed in any environment.
• The organization is known for its match of mentor-mentees. The pairs are neurodiverse with disabilities including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourettes.
• Mentorship supports the child and the family because families should not have to go this journey alone.
Links from the episode:
What is Right to Read?
The Right to Read podcast supports today’s dyslexic thinkers by bringing listeners relevant information on community resources, best practices for dyslexic learners, legislation that supports the Right to Read, and personal and professional success stories. Through our actionable insights, you will learn something that will empower a dyslexic thinker today.
This podcast is made possible by a community collaboration with Verso Studios located at the Westport Library, in Westport, Connecticut.