Switzer Learning Center

We are excited to kick off the new school year with our amazing Switzer staff and teachers! 🍎 Here's a behind-the-scenes look at our week-long training and development sessions. As always, we're dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students... and we can't wait for the school year to begin! 📚✏️

🎉 We are thrilled to announce that the Henry L. Guenther Foundation has awarded Switzer Learning Center a generous grant of $15,000 to support our literacy programs! 📚🌟 This grant will enable us to provide classroom reading sets and new resources for our school library, further enhancing the learning experience for our students. We are incredibly grateful to the Foundation for their support and belief in our mission. Special thanks to everyone at the Henry L. Guenther Foundation for making this possible!

🌴 Save the Date! 🌴

Mark your calendars for Switzer Learning Center's most anticipated event of the year! This year, on November 14, 2024, our annual gala will be a grand Palm Royale! ✨ Join us at the Palos Verdes Golf Club for an enchanting evening filled with 1960s Palm Beach-themed decor, live & silent auctions, casino gaming, music and more! Let's come together to celebrate and raise funds for students with special needs.

� Exciting News! � We're thrilled to announce Connor Hartwell as the new Board Chair of Switzer Learning Center! Connor's vision for the future is all about inclusivity, empowerment, and impactful growth. Join us in welcoming Connor to this important role and stay tuned for the amazing work ahead!

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence as our Founding Fathers set out to create a new nation that would forever change the world. Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸🌭🍉

Happy Pride! We’re so proud of our heritage. 🏳️‍🌈❤️🎉

You can’t separate peace from freedom.

One more day until graduation! 🎓🎉👏🏼

Meet Mr. Paul Bailey, our new Head of School at Switzer Learning Center. With over a decade of experience in special education, Paul has worked at every level of education service. Starting as a behavior aide and moving up to become a mod/severe teacher, he eventually transitioned to NPS leadership. Paul holds a master's degree in special education and cleared credentials for mild/moderate, moderate/severe, and early childhood.

In his free time, Paul indulges in a diverse range of hobbies. He's a passionate woodworker, a dedicated Disney fan, and enjoys immersing himself in theater, music, and various pastimes like Renaissance and steampunk cosplay.

We look forward to the positive impact he will bring to . 📚

🎉 Join us in congratulating Sylvia Landaverde for successfully completing the prestigious Leadership Torrance Class of 2024! 🌟 This exclusive program offered by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce provides invaluable opportunities for professional growth and networking. A special shoutout to Barbara Graham at Torrance Refining Company for sponsoring Sylvia's participation. Here's to continued success and inspiring leadership!

🌟 We are thrilled to announce that Switzer Learning Center has been honored with the Nonprofit of the Year award at the 2024 Impact Awards presented by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce yesterday! 🏆 We are proud to continually strive to build a safe and welcoming environment where staff, students, board members, and the community feel valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds. Thank you for recognizing our commitment and dedication to making a positive impact!

We also want to give a shoutout to our longtime supporter and former Board Chair, Barbara Graham of Torrance Refining Company - TORC, who was awarded the George H. Whittlesey Memorial Award for her integrity and leadership in promoting business enterprise in Torrance. Congratulations, Barbara, and thank you for your unwavering support! 🙌

Yesterday, we were incredibly honored to have our co-founder, Judith Borck, accept the prestigious Legacy Award on behalf of Switzer Learning Center at the 2024 Impact Awards by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce! 🏆 Being honored for 36 years of continuous Chamber membership is a true testament to our unwavering commitment to the students we serve and the values that define us.

Hats off to the Torrance Chamber for 110 years of collaboration, growth, and support within our community! 🌟

🌟 We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI)! Together, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of peace and understanding on our campus. This collaboration will empower our community to become active agents of positive change. Read the full announcement here: https://ow.ly/5ZFx50S1eMm

Honoring and remembering those who risked their lives for our freedom. 🇺🇸 ❤️

Our students had an incredible opportunity to learn from retired NFL player Corey Liuget, who shared his experiences both on and off the field. We are grateful to the PS I Love You Foundation for making this possible and for their dedication to providing our youth with the important life skills needed for personal growth and development. Mr. Liuget's insights left us all inspired and motivated to work towards our goals. Thank you, Patricia Jones, for your commitment to empowering our youth.🏈

We are thrilled to express our gratitude to the Special Children's League for their unwavering support of our students with special needs. Their continued generosity, including the grant they recently awarded us, has made a significant impact on the lives of our students and their families. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and dedication to our mission of providing exceptional education to children with learning challenges. Thank you, , for all that you do!

📣 Switzer students got a chance to tour one of the most impressive stadiums in the world - SoFi Stadium - and learn about the amazing work that goes into creating a state-of-the-art venue. Not only that, but they also got to check out the Kinsey Art Collection, which celebrates the achievements and contributions of black Americans throughout history. This kind of experience can enhance language skills and open up new career pathways, not to mention it's a ton of fun! This was made possible by a grant from the Special Children's League, supporting Switzer's community-based activities.

As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, let's support Switzer students and show them some love! You can help make a difference by making a donation to Switzer today. Your support will help provide students with the resources they need to succeed and thrive. Donate now: https://ow.ly/T6xu50R8Pn2 💙💛

On April 2nd, we observe World Autism Awareness Day, a global event that aims to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Today, we celebrate our students' unique abilities and work help them thrive in society.

Join us! Support and advocate for the acceptance, inclusion, and rights of those with autism. Support Switzer today at https://ow.ly/u14K50R6W7E

Our very own Dr. Sylvia Landaverde recently joined the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Torrance Cohort thanks to our corporate sponsor at Torrance Refining Company - TORC! The cohort toured The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where members were given an up close look at the startup companies shaping the future of medicine as well as hearing from Dr. Bill Stringer and Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill about the advances in pediatric emergency medicine. They wrapped up the day at El Camino Community College where they learned about the college’s newly created Bachelor’s degree program in respiratory therapy! So many incredible resources in our region.

We were thrilled to have Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative as guest faciliators for our development day. Switzer staff engaged in the organization's Domestic Harmonizer Program, and learned new skills on how to better foster learning conditions for our students and promote peaceful resolutions to conflicts at school. Huge thanks to these wonderful coaches!

🌍 Happy Global Recycling Day! 🌱 Did you know that Mr. Fleming’s class is on a mission to make the world a better place by collecting and recycling materials from the campus and donated recyclables? And guess what? The funds raised are used for the annual trip to Knott's Berry Farm. How cool is that? You can join our donor’s club and drop off your recyclables anytime. Let's reduce, reuse, and recycle together! ♻️ Share your recycling tips and tag a friend to spread the word! Let's make every day Global Recycling Day. 🌎💚

Wow, our students at Switzer Learning Center did an amazing job at their Black History Month assembly! Last week, Switzer students presented their Black History Heroes with enthusiasm and passion, highlighting the incredible contributions of African Americans throughout history.
We are honored to celebrate the achievements of these inspiring individuals and grateful for the opportunity to learn from our students. Thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful event!

Lights, camera, action! At Switzer Learning Center, we believe in hands-on learning that sparks creativity and imagination. Check out this behind-the-scenes shot of our teacher and student duo shooting the student-led news program. 🎥🎬

We believe in empowering teens and young adults with the social skills they need to navigate life's challenges. That's why we're proud to offer the PEERS® Social Skills Programs, led by our team of certified providers. Based on cutting-edge research from UCLA, our programs offer evidence-based interventions that help young people develop age-appropriate social skills.

Socializing can be tough, especially for those who struggle with communication or forming relationships. That's why our programs are designed to provide plenty of opportunities to practice these skills in a supportive and nurturing environment. With the help of their parents or caregivers, our participants gain the confidence and tools they need to build and maintain meaningful relationships.

So whether you're a teen looking to make new friends or a young adult navigating the complexities of the workplace, we're here to help. Visit SwitzerCenter.org for details.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we would like to honor the woman who started it all. None other than Judith Borck who co-founded our organization with Dr. Janet Switzer. If not for Judy and Jan’s contributions, our organization wouldn’t exist today. Thousands of Switzer’s alumni are grateful for their efforts in educating diverse minds, building social confidence, and creating a path to independence. Thank you Judy for your decades of support and wisdom in helping to fulfill our mission in Greater L.A. ❤️🎉👏🏼

Happy Employee Appreciation Day! Today we recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our amazing staff at Switzer Learning Center. We couldn't achieve our mission of empowering students with special needs without them. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our cause! 😍

Join us as we proudly celebrate the conclusion of Black History Month. At Switzer Learning Center, diversity is not just celebrated; it's embraced as a cornerstone of our community. Through education and awareness, we strive to spread understanding and appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures that make our world vibrant. Let's come together to learn, reflect, and uplift each other as we recognize the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future.

Wishing all of you a Happy and Healthy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for your support and love throughout each and every year. ❤️🥰❤️

Thanks to a generous STEAM grant from , Switzer teaching staff recently attended the CA STEAM Symposium in Long Beach, CA! They gained valuable knowledge and insights from industry experts and are excited to incorporate new ideas into our curriculum. We're committed to providing the best education possible to our students and this conference was a great opportunity to learn and grow.

Our community food pantry, sponsored by Community's Child, opens its doors each Monday! Providing free food supplies to all Switzer staff and students, this vital resource is managed by our Adult Transition Program students and staff. Together, we ensure no one in our community goes hungry. 🥫✨