Educator takes a holistic approach

“The Center is well known for its quality of care and is very well respected in the Merrimack Valley,” said Sliwoski. “I share the center’s belief in a holistic approach to child development. The child is not an isolated entity. You need to look at the family situation and the community the child and family are part of.  I see it as a partnership since everyone must work together to meet the needs of all involved.”

In her new position, Sliwoski will oversee the services provided by a Chapter 766 approved private preschool for special needs children. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education, the school provides educational, therapeutic, social, and referral services for children and their families.  Designed to serve children between the ages of three and seven, the program attracts children with multiple disabilities, complicated health care needs and with vision and/or hearing impairments.

“My personal goal is to continue the wonderful tradition of the school and move the school forward in ways it is able to do within the boundaries of what is possible,” Sliwoski said. “My biggest challenge will be to get to know a new organization and understand the nuances of a new job. I’m also less familiar with the area and will need to learn more about the communities the Center serves.”

The Center is a non-profit, community-based agency that has served children and their families for over thirty years by offering a wide range of specialized and community services.  Its programs help hundreds of children grow and develop to achieve their full potential through services such as early intervention, a developmental day school, pediatric therapy and parent support services.

Sliwoski has been interested in child development and understanding children with special needs since she herself was a child.

“I remember a young man in our neighborhood who had cerebral palsy and was mentally retarded.  Many of the other kids were either afraid of him or made fun of him,” she said. “As he was not well accepted by the children or adults, he would hide away and stay at home.  His mother was a single parent and it must have been very hard on her as well. Personally, I just saw him as our neighbor.  I believe this experience had a profound effect on me.”

In college, Sliwoski completed an independent study at a school for children with special needs and received a placement there.

“I always knew I wanted to work with kids and thought I wanted to be a teacher,” said Sliwoski.  Sliwoski graduated from Lebanon Valley College in New Jersey with a major in psychology.  She went on to receive her Masters in Special Education from Boston College.

“I feel that I have been fortunate to have had great opportunities come my way,” she said. “Really, these opportunities have been the result of good contacts and friends I have made throughout my career.”

“We are thrilled to have Linda aboard,” said Veryl Anderson, the center’s executive director. “We have had a long-time relationship with her so we certainly were aware of her high standards of professionalism and we knew she would fit in here.”  Fit is important to the center as demonstrated by the statistic that most employees stay an average of 10 years.

Anderson is the co-founder of the center, along with Cynthia Stocking who retired six years ago. As registered nurses, Anderson and Stocking recognized the need for a preschool education center for “handicapped” children in the Merrimack Valley area. 

“Today, the Center is a hub of activities where 85 professionals provide services for 1,200 children and families,” said Anderson. “We are also fortunate to have help from a dedicated group of volunteers and devoted parents. It is wonderful to see children of all abilities playing and learning side by side in playgroups. The classrooms are bright, attractive and well-equipped, with rehabilitation and adaptive equipment and developmental toys. Therapy rooms, conference areas and a parent library all contribute to an atmosphere of stimulating social interaction.”

Sliwoski lives in Reading with her husband, Steve, and two children; Kevin and Alex.  Kevin is a junior at RHMS and Alex is in eighth grade at Coolidge Middle School. Sliwoski serves on the school council at both schools and was a member of the town’s budget committee for 12 years.