Atlanta Community Mourns Loss of Educator David Schenck

Schenck Renowned For His Work With Dyslexic Children and Families

David Schenck of The Schenck School (Photo: Business Wire)

ATLANTA--()--The Schenck School Board of Trustees today regretfully announces the passing of founder and Director Emeritus David Schenck. Mr. Schenck died peacefully Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at his St. Anne’s Terrace home surrounded by family. His wife Dee predeceased him. Mr. Schenck’s four children and 11 grandchildren survive him. David Schenck was 93.

“On behalf of the families, faculty and staff representing The Schenck School, allow me to extend our deepest condolences to members of the Schenck family for their loss. David Schenck is not only a beloved patriarch, he forever will be remembered by so many in our community as the man who changed the trajectory of our children’s academic success,” said Andrew Sullivan, Chairman, Board of Trustees. “David holds a special place in our hearts and we pledge to honor his legacy by carrying on his life’s work in a manner that would make him proud.”

Mr. Schenck and his wife, the late Dorothy (Dee) Hall, founded the Atlanta-based school in 1959 with the sole purpose of creating a unique educational environment for students with dyslexia. Today, the school has an annual enrollment of 250 students in grades kindergarten through six. Over the years, however, legions of families from across the nation have benefitted from their experiences at The Schenck School and their personal encounters and relationships with Mr. Schenck.

“David Schenck was much more than an educator. In fact, some have aptly referred to him as a ’pioneer’,” said Gena Calloway, Head of School. “Through his classroom teaching, David recognized that dyslexic children needed more than intermittent one-on-one tutoring. So, he set out to change the education landscape, creating a full-time learning environment where our students are able to reach their full academic potential.”

The Schenck School has been educating dyslexic children using the Orton-Gillingham Approach for more than five decades. This specialized teaching method uses multisensory techniques to remediate difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. Mr. Schenck was the first to adapt the approach from a one-on-one setting to a full-time, multi-student classroom. Furthermore, he integrated this learning technique throughout the core curriculum.

Details regarding a memorial service will be announced shortly and will be posted on the school website once they are finalized. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the David and Dee Schenck Scholarship Endowed Fund at The Schenck School.

About The Schenck School

The Schenck School is an accredited, independent school located in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by David and Dee Schenck in 1959, the school’s mission is to build a solid educational foundation for students with dyslexia and develop their rich potential. www.schenck.org

Attachments

Tribute Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VudCAE4gUeY

Contacts

The Schenck School
Vicki Ahnrud, 404-218-4200
Director of Communications
vahnrud@schenck.org

Release Summary

The Schenck School Board of Trustees today regretfully announces the passing of founder and Director Emeritus David Schenck. Mr. Schenck died peacefully Tuesday, December 23, 2014.

Contacts

The Schenck School
Vicki Ahnrud, 404-218-4200
Director of Communications
vahnrud@schenck.org