The Frostig Center Names Two Leaders in Education to Top Posts

The Frostig Center has appointed Jenny Janetzke Head of School and Chris Schnieders the new Director of Research, two highly experienced educators who will strengthen the organization’s mission to provide innovative and successful teaching methods to students who learn differently.

“We want to make sure we are always teaching each child in the way he or she learns best,” said The Frostig Center’s Executive Director Dean Conklin. “Having a strong research department alongside our skilled teaching staff ensures that we always use best practices in how we educate our students.”

New Head of School Janetzke has extensive experience in special education, as well as curriculum, instruction, professional development, and school leadership, said Conklin. She has a master’s degree in educational leadership and 17 years of administrative and teaching experience in the Duarte, Monrovia and Hacienda La Puente school districts.

“I am already very impressed with the teachers and staff at Frostig School,” said Janetzke. “Everyone is so supportive and generous with their ideas and encouragement. You can feel it.”

As Director of Research, Schnieders brings more than 30 years of teaching, research and administrative experience to her new role. Schnieders has a Ph.D. in Special Education, teaches at Azusa Pacific University and California State University, Northridge, and is the former Head of School at Frostig as well as its past Director of Teacher Training.

“This full-time position will also allow us to really take advantage of being in Southern California, where so much work is being done in the field of learning disabilities and high-functioning autism by institutions like USC, UCLA and UCI,” said Conklin. “We want to look at all the ongoing research in the area to confirm that we are always using the most effective strategies.”

Emphasizing that Frostig’s responsibility to its students does not end after 12th grade, Conklin also announced plans to offer a post high school program to help graduates make the best transition possible to work or college.

“I’m really excited about the direction in which we’re going,” said Conklin. “We take great pride in being a leader in educating students who learn in a different way. We want to keep it moving forward.”

A resource for the San Gabriel and Greater Los Angeles communities, The Frostig Center was founded in 1951 by Dr. Marianne Frostig, a pioneer in the study, diagnosis and treatment of learning differences. Its mission is to improve the lives of children with learning disabilities through an integrated program of research, professional development and community outreach, and the Frostig School. The school offers a full range of academic and support services for children with learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and auditory processing disorders), high-functioning autism and ADHD. For additional information about The Frostig Center or School call (626) 791-1255 or visit our website at www.frostig.org.