The Specialized Education for All Learners (S.E.A.L.) Foundation has selected Nick Gaehde, President of Lexia Learning, a Cambium Learning® Group company, as Extraordinary Individual for 2022. Gaehde received the award on October 1 during the foundation’s Fall Soiree at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston.  

Each year, the S.E.A.L. Foundation presents the Extraordinary Individual award to a pioneer whose work has impacted multiple students, their families as well as teachers committed to deepening student learning. The S.E.A.L. Foundation also selects honorees who understand that each child learns differently — that one size does not fit all — and that schools are at their best when they support each child’s efforts to meet with academic success, regardless of where they come from or how they learn.  

The S.E.A.L. Foundation provides K-12 students with the tools they need to best support their learning, with a deliberate emphasis on nurturing a positive sense of self. The foundation’s partner schools are using the personalized literacy solution Lexia® Core5® Reading (Core5) and have reported the efficacy of Lexia’s approach to literacy education.  

“Lexia changes the trajectory of students’ lives in the best way, and their tools move students from learning to read to reading to learn,” said President and Founder of the S.E.A.L. Foundation Kerry Peroni. “This is why we selected Nick. The depth of his vision and the strategies he’s developed create opportunities for every student across the country.”  

The Fall Soiree’s theme was a celebration of neurodiversity, from the classroom through to the workplace. The event was developed to promote appreciation for the talents of neurodiverse minds and encourage the creation of more inclusive and equitable classroom and workplace cultures that celebrate differences and empower all individuals.  

“Nick struggled with reading from a very early age due to dyslexia, so he has personal knowledge of the challenges of a language-based learning difference. Now he leads a company that builds tools to help millions of students become confident speakers, readers and lifelong learners,” continued Peroni.  “We could not be more thrilled to honor Nick for his personal passion and commitment to ensuring all students, especially those who learn differently, reach their potential.”  

“At Lexia, our dedication comes from the vision that our founder, the late Bob Lemire, instilled in the company 38 years ago,” said Gaehde.  “It is with deep gratitude that I accept this award and dedicate it to Bob and to all the Lexia employees who work tirelessly to ensure that literacy can be for all.  I thank the S.E.A.L. Foundation for this partnership and for their continued support.”    

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