Weekly Update | October 17, 2025

October is Learning Differences Awareness Month

Our Second Pillar | Promoting Academic Growth


We empower students to become self-advocates who understand their strengths, learning styles, and the value of continual improvement.

We are continuing our celebration of Learning Differences Awareness Month and looking at Trident’s four core values, or pillars: Meet Individual Needs, Academic Growth, Encouragement & Support, and Foundation for Life. Last week, I wrote about our first pillar, Meeting Individual Needs. This week’s pillar is Promoting Academic Growth.

At Trident Academy, we are committed to helping our students learn the skills they need to be successful in school. Once we know and understand a student’s individual needs (as discussed last week), we can tailor our instruction to meet those needs. Students come to Trident with varying levels of academic competency. Some can barely read, others struggle with reading and writing, and still others struggle with the concepts and language of math. In any given class, there may be a combination of each of these learners. The multi-sensory approaches used in each classroom help to facilitate the learning process. Research suggests that using several senses at the same time while learning new information helps that information find its way into our short and long-term memory banks. 

We have many goals for our students at Trident Academy. To help them achieve these goals, our first and foremost priority is providing a safe place for them to relax and learn. When students feel comfortable, they begin to take the risks involved in learning new things. As they learn new concepts, their confidence begins to blossom, and they begin to understand what they need in order to be successful in class. 

We will see the fruit of this pillar in the results of our students’ assessments at the end of the year. We will also see it in their confidence as they grow from timid, unsure students into self-assured learners possessing grit and determination.

As you are beginning to see, all four pillars are intertwined, working together simultaneously to help our students succeed.

Enjoy your weekend!

Blessings, Betsy

Professor Robert Ballard, the renowned oceanographer and marine biologist famous for discovering the wreck of the RMS Titanic and many other historical vessels, recently shared a deeply personal revelation: he has dyslexia. It wasn't until he was 72 that the diagnosis came to light, making sense of many past events for the man whose career is defined by pioneering deep-sea exploration. Surprisingly, Professor Ballard credits his dyslexia for fostering the very skills and innovation that led to his greatest successes. He sees it not as a hindrance, but as a "wonderful gift" that equipped him with a different way of seeing the world, particularly in developing the strong visual and spatial awareness essential to his work.

Professor Ballard’s experience with dyslexia offers an inspiring lesson for students who may learn differently. He recounts a pivotal moment during the second Titanic expedition where navigation systems failed, and his pilot recommended turning back. Relying on his exceptional 3D mental model of the area—a skill he attributes to his dyslexia—Ballard was able to pinpoint their location and successfully guide them to the shipwreck. Now a vocal advocate, he wants younger generations to know that dyslexia doesn't prevent them from achieving amazing things and having the careers they want. As he's said, "Everyone needs to understand that dyslexics aren’t stupid, they’re just a different kind of human being. They see the world in a very different way."

IMPORTANT DATES:

October 18: Cross country: Run Like the Devil 5K Run/Walk at Charleston Collegiate School

October 23: Early dismissal (11:30 am)

October 24: Student holiday (Teachers at International Dyslexia Association conference in Atlanta)

November 3: Archery practice for students in fourth grade and up begins.

Our tentative calendar for 2025-26

See all events on our school website calendar

SEAHAWK SCOOP:

Fall Fest is right around the corner!

Get ready for our annual Fall Fest on Halloween, October 31, at 9:45 a.m.! Students are invited to wear their costumes for a fun-filled day, and we warmly invite all parents to join us for the festivities!

Parents Day Survey

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for Parents Day—it was a huge blast! We loved having you on campus to share in the experience. As we strive to make this event even better next year, please take a moment to share your feedback via our survey >> Parents Day Survey

Upcoming Parent Education Events

As a founding member of the Association of LD Schools, Trident Academy is proud to offer our parents access to parent education events presented by other ALDS schools.


Tuesday, October 21: at 12:00 pm, The Fletcher School in Charlotte will offer a virtual lunch-and-learn event titled Math Disorder Strategies. This event will be presented by Joanie Gerken, the former Lower School Director and O-G Fellow at Trident Academy. More information can be found here. 

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS:

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for Parents Day! We had a blast showing you our campus, welcoming you into our classes, and highlighting just how amazing your students truly are. We loved having you!

Our 2nd and 3rd graders are turning trash into treasure! This week, they unleashed their creativity using recycled materials to design and build something they absolutely love. What a fun way to practice sustainability!

What a perfect fall field trip! Our students had a fantastic time at Legare Farms this week, getting a firsthand look at farm life. They got to feed the cows, pick their own pumpkins, and learn all about how a working farm operates!

We are incredibly proud of our cross country team for tackling the sand and surf at the IOP Beach Race this week! They showed amazing determination and grit. Go, Seahawks!

~Individual Needs~Academic Growth~Encouragement & Support~Foundation for Life~