Newsletter November 2025
Dear Friends,
Hibernation time is approaching … not my favourite… but unavoidable!
The temperature outside may be getting cooler, but our efforts are taking off!
WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking
We could not be more grateful and honoured to know that Ronald D Davis and his wife Alice watched WHO KNEW recently.
None of our work would ever have been possible without them, and thankfully Ron felt our message was clear.
Kelly Conlin has more Film Festival news.
WHO KNEW is screening in Los Angeles at the:
11th LA Women in Film Festival
Friday, November 14th
The Other Space Theater - @ 7:30pm
WOMEN SHORTS PROGRAM 2 – DOCUMENTARIES
Please tell any friends/relatives you have in that area !
AND: WHO KNEW received Semi-Finalist status in the Best Female Director category at the Indianapolis Independent Film Festival.
Kelly has entered even more film festivals, including one in Paris !
ALSO: Following Tessa Halliwell’s private screening in Leicestershire, on November 13, she has been asked to a local school’s inclusion meeting with their Special Education Needs Department – she says “ The effect of that film is amazing🧡”. She has arranged two screenings of WHO KNEW for Davis UKIE Facilitators, Oct 30 and Nov 8.
ALSO: Nadine Schumont, who has had one private screening already, is entertaining this idea:
A screening at The Little Prince Cinema, Stratford, ON, Nov 20 — it’s the world’s smallest theatre in town, inviting about a dozen local leaders to each showing — people from the city, schools, business community, and local media — just to spark more awareness that our way of thinking really is a gift, not a disability.
Until our documentary can be on general release we are taking bookings for private screenings. Contact Sue Hall at info@thewds.org for details. The general release is expected in 2026 on TELUS TV, Channel 9, Stream+ all made possible with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE Editions and supporters like you! https://www.thewds.org/documentary-who-knew
PREVENTION: DAVIS LEARNING STRATEGIES for EARLY YEARS
We continue to work towards yet another pilot in collaboration with the Alberta Aboriginal Headstart program for 3-5 year olds.
Sue and Julie were part of a Panel Discussion organised by Melanie Langman, who attended our first pilot ECE.
She is the Child Care Resource & Referral Consultant – West Shore for the Sooke Family Resource Society and we hope to be able to attract local interest.
OUTREACH
Emily Zwart secured an article in TEACH Magazine aimed at educators and here is the link:
https://teachmag.com/transforming-how-we-see-and-support-dyslexic-learners/
SHARON ROBERT’S CORNER: The Pygmalion Effect
The phrase "expect more, you'll get more" suggests that having high expectations for yourself will result in more motivation to achieve better results. Is this true if someone else expects more from you ? The answer is yes, according to the Pygmalion Effect theory.
The Pygmalion effect is a psychological phenomenon when higher expectations from teachers, managers, or others can lead to improved performance in those being observed. In fact, there was a study done by psychologists Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson. They conducted a famous experiment where teachers were told that certain students (chosen at random) were expected to be "intellectual bloomers" based on an imaginary test. In reality, these students were randomly selected. At the end of the year, those students showed significant academic improvement compared to their peers, demonstrating how teachers' higher expectations positively influenced student performance.
This theory works in a loop and is based upon the principle that:
1: Other people’s beliefs about us influence their actions toward us (positive or negative).
2: These actions towards us influence and reinforce our beliefs about ourselves.
3: Our beliefs about ourselves influence our actions toward others.
Reflection: Does the learning disability label affect the perception the teacher has toward your child positively or negatively?
Read more at Sharon’s Corner here….
Sharon Roberts: https://dyslexia.ca/about/
Calendar:
Nov 20 – Nadine’s Golden Ticket event at The Little Prince Cinema, Stratford, screening WHO KNEW
November 14: International Premiere of WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking at the Los Angeles Film Festival, USA.
November 27: Sue presenting webinar for BC Campus’ Accessibility Bites – aiding adult dyslexics.
December 4: Shelley Tice will attend 100 Women Who Care in Sidney, hoping to pitch for the WDS.
2026: Proposed General Release of WHO KNEW via Telus STORYHIVE… tbc.
January 25 - Feb 1: Family Literacy Week! Join us in an invitation only online screening of WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking. More details to come!
If you would like to help us in our endeavours, please do get in touch, we are expanding with a team of volunteers and that is a challenge.
We all have busy lives, we just want to make the lives of one third of the population a little easier… so whether it is your time, or a donation,
or introducing us to a possible sponsor/celebrity… we welcome you with open arms.
Thank you from your Board…
Sue, Maureen, Julie, Tristan, Del, Sharon, Gisa, Laura, Paddy
info@thewds.org
