Alyssa Pukkila has a dedication to education

Meet Alyssa Pukkila, a passionate advocate for students with learning disabilities. Her drive to understand how the brain learns and the neuroscience behind those processes give her a unique perspective on education that is putting Post Falls on the map for innovative education.

Generation: I am a progressive-thinking Gen Xer who still enjoys holding a newspaper and loves music from the '80s.

Career and community involvement: I have worked for the past 15 years as an educational therapist in Post Falls, working with students with learning disabilities. I hope to bring a positive change to our community with the opening of Wired2Learn Academy. Statistically, children with learning disabilities are more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. They are at a higher risk of dropping out of school, incarceration, suicide and becoming a burden on our society. I hope to change that for our community.

Parental status: I have been married to a wonderful man for 27 years and have four boys and one grandson.

1. Why did you choose to dedicate yourself to helping kids with learning disabilities?

It started with my son. My second son was diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade. We couldn’t find him help. It was very difficult to watch my very bright son lose self-esteem and think of himself as stupid because he couldn’t read. He excelled in math and science but was reading at a kindergarten level.

As I educated myself, I became aware of many children like my son. Bright, wonderful children who were giving up on themselves. I believe children with learning disabilities should have a chance to be great and find joy. Eventually, I finished my graduate work in psychology and wrote my thesis on dyslexia. I am dedicated to these kids because they deserve an opportunity to have success.

2. Are there different ways of learning?

Actually, different learning styles is what we call a "neuromyth." It is a popular idea with good intentions but it can be harmful to students. What research shows is that humans are born with an astounding capacity to learn. We understand that learning involves changing the brain — neuroplasiticy — and that requires a moderate amount of stress. The brain works as an integrated whole. What we know is that active learning stimulates multiple areas of the brain and promotes learning.

3. How do you make education fun and effective for these kids?

I asked one of my students this question today. She said that school at W2LA is fun because it's hands-on and she likes "getting her hands dirty.” She said she has learned more at W2LA because "her learning coaches take time to help her get it.” I think active learning is what makes it fun and effective.

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

That I was an exchange student in Finland and am married to my Finnish high school sweetheart. I love Finland and studied in Helsinki during college. In fact, my undergraduate degree is in international relations with minors in intercultural communications and Finnish.

5. If you were an animal for a day, which animal would you be?

I think I’d like to be a dolphin. They are extremely intelligent, family-oriented, loyal and joyful! It would be amazing to be a part of that kind of community and be able to swim free.

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Email Devin at dweeks@cdapress.com