Mum donates prize to spur on struggling kids
Karen aims to inspire pupils diagnosed with dyslexia
A proud mum of five has launched a new prize to prove that dyslexia doesn’t spell the end for children struggling at school.
Karen McShane donated the sparkling trophy to St Fillans Primary School nearly 15 years after her youngest child left the Houston school.
The owner of the Forget Me Not gift shop in Johnstone says she was inspired to create the progress award after four of her children were diagnosed with dyslexia while at the school.
She said: “All our five children attended St Fillans, which gave us a relationship with the school lasting more than 20 years.
“Four of the five children were assessed for dyslexia. However rather than letting dyslexia be a hindrance, we as parents worked on the positive. We knew our children were intelligent, we just had to find a way to help them achieve their potential.”
Karen adds that at first, the family struggled with the stigma that surrounded the children’s specific learning needs.
“It was not easy in the 1990s, as in those days, dyslexia was classed as a middle class excuse for being thick,” said Karen.
“However along with other parents in the same position, we fought the education system and Renfrewshire Education Department became one of the first authorities at that time to recognise dyslexia as a genuine learning difficulty.”
Now Karen wants to help inspire change in the community once again – and show current pupils at St Fillans that dyslexia won’t stop them from being a class act.
Karen said: “Our long fight over the years has paid off and all five children have achieved their potential. Two went to university and gained degrees and all are employed with good jobs, or are running their own businesses.
“We want this award not to be given to mainstream children who can achieve easily. We want this award to go to children who battle hard every day to achieve what they can, regardless of their difficulties.”
The Growth Mindset Superstar trophy will be used as an incentive throughout each term to inspire and encourage children who may otherwise struggle.
“A year is a very long time for a child who battles every day to be at the level they should be,” explained Karen. “So we feel it might be nice to shorten the timescale for the award and give the opportunity for more than one child a year to earn praise.
“All any parent ever wants is for their child to be happy and do as well as they possibly can through school and life.”
The school were delighted to received the shiny trophy last week and said the new prize will encourage all their pupils to strive for excellence.
Headteacher Jacqueline McPherson told the Express: “This is a very auspicious moment for the school as we receive this trophy as it will help support all of our children to achieve.
“To have a Growth Mindset attitude, and to have the ability to be resilient in any challenges you face, is an invaluable aspect in any young person’s journey of learning.
“This recognition will support all of our children in striving for excellence in everything they do.”