Today, Oxford Learning has grown to become Canada’s largest supplemental education provider, with 136 centres in Canada and 30 (and counting) in the United States. Oxford Learning Centres use comprehensive assessments to determine each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on these assessments, personalized strategies are developed to help students overcome challenges. The curriculum is built on the theory of learning through understanding, not just memorization. For example, while teaching kindergarten students numbers, Oxford Learning focuses on helping young minds understand the concepts behind the numbers rather than just memorizing them. This approach caters to each child’s unique learning needs, ensuring they can learn in the best way possible. This personalized method isn’t limited to children. Adults, too, can benefit from honing their cognitive skills, breaking free from passive learning, and thinking more actively and effectively. Unlike many large corporate entities, Oxford Learning has grown organically. The company’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that the brain can change its pathways and that cognitive skills can be improved at any age. Nick Whitehead envisions a future where children can think better and more actively, making informed decisions that will positively impact the world. He believes that if children are taught to think independently and critically, they will grow up to be adults who can tackle global and local challenges more effectively. Nick, who lives between Kilworth and Byron, is a proud father of five and grandfather of nine. He believes that the benefits of Oxford Learning extend beyond academics, fostering higher self-esteem, self-acceptance, and a better understanding of the world and one’s place in it. One particularly touching story from the early days of Oxford Learning involves a grandmother who brought her grandson to the centre. The boy had behavioral problems, and the family couldn’t afford much. After working with him for two years, not only did his grades improve, but his attitude and focus also changed dramatically. It was as if he had been reinvented. “The Oxford Learning story continues,” says Nick. “It’s a passion play.” The company is driven by passionate individuals who share emotional and inspiring stories of transformation. Oxford Learning Centres continue to make a significant impact on students’ lives, proving that there truly is a better way to learn.
Oxford Learning Centres: A Family-Based Success Story by Barb Botten
Nick Whitehead, the founder and owner of Oxford Learning Centres, has dedicated his life to revolutionizing the way students approach thinking and learning. The story of Oxford Learning is a testament to a family-based business and its determination to make a real and lasting difference in education. It is a story of commitment to the idea that there is a better way to learn.
Oxford Learning was founded by Nick Whitehead in 1984 in London, Ontario. The first location began with just a few simple programs, at a time when cognitive learning was still a new concept in education. Nick’s own experiences in high school during the 1960s were far from encouraging. Questioning teachers was not acceptable, and the rigid system didn’t cater to different learning styles. However, Nick’s inquisitive mind led him to John Holt’s book, How Children Fail, which argued that the traditional school system was not the best way for students to learn. This book had a profound impact on Nick, and he corresponded with Holt until his death, discussing alternative ways to teach and learn. Nick pursued his PhD in philosophy in the United States, specializing in the Education Community of the English Department. Following the teachings of cognitive scientists such as Vygotsky, Piaget and Feuerstein, Nick became a pioneer in the cognitive approach to learning, challenging the traditional education model focused on obedience and rote learning. Inspired by alternative educational methods and the success of experimental approaches, Nick was motivated to create a better way to teach. Nick initially aimed to open a private school focused on cognitive learning. He gathered an informal group of colleagues to develop ideas, particularly for First Nations education. As parents began to see the value in these methods, demand grew, leading to the opening of the first Oxford Learning Centre in Westmount in 1984. Nick realized he needed to learn marketing to expand, and soon, the learning centre was filled with enthusiastic students and parents.
KOMOKA FAMILY DENTISTRY
Discover the difference Oxford Learning can make. Don’t wait. A better school year begins today! Make Back to School a Success
DR. ANDY SHIH
Byron 519.472.3321 208-1240 Commissioners Rd W oxfordlearning.com
(519) 694-2567 @komoka.family.dentistry www.KomokaFamilyDentistry.com
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KKD Villager September 2024
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