Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Kara Holden has always had a compassionate heart and a strong recognition of the capabilities of even the most doubted of people. In 2004, as a student in the School of Education’s Inclusive and Special Education programs at Syracuse University, she was pointed in the direction of working at a summer camp to gain experience with children and grow her own knowledge and abilities.
Kara decided on Cradle Beach Camp on the banks of Lake Erie, a summer camp for disadvantaged and disabled youth from inner-city Buffalo. She had her mind made up that she would work with the girls. Because, to this point in her life, this is what she knew. Girls. But she felt that familiar tug to challenge herself further and try something she worried she wasn’t cut out for. Next thing she knew, Kara was deeply immersed in a world of boys. Boys who needed someone to believe in them. Boys who needed a champion. Boys who needed to be seen. Boys with autism.
And that was it for Kara. She knew where her passion lived. Not only did she live and breathe for those boys on the shores of Lake Erie, but she knew there was more for her to do for this community. After Kara spent years as an Autism teacher, Resource teacher, and professor coaching general and special education teachers- she was ready to embark on the journey she was called to do for this exceptional community.
Thus, Westlawn School was born. Rooted in a community that fosters independence, curiosity, and individual growth in students who are twice exceptional, Westlawn is the first of its kind in the entire southeast region of the United States.
Just like that summer in 2004, Kara Holden is here at Westlawn to believe in your children. To champion your children. And to truly see and hear who your children are.
Learning differently demands teaching differently.
And that’s what we do at Westlawn.
“Instead of me trying to teach a school about autism, a school is teaching me what really works for my child.”
- CHRISTY SHERMAN, WESTLAWN PARENT
DESIGN
DIFFERENT BY
We’re often asked what makes Westlawn School different? But how do you quantify the unquantifiable? We can try. We could tell you about our 3:1 student to teacher ratio. Or we could tell you about our warm, homelike environment. But it’s impossible capture to the heart and soul of such a special school in a succinct paragraph for a website. So here is what we can tell you about Westlawn.
One parent said, “I dropped him off for his first day of sixth grade and for the first time in his entire life, I pulled away with the peace and confidence that he was exactly where he should be. Even when hard issues arise, the staff at Westlawn is there for him with their expertise and their love. There, he and his peers are celebrated for who they truly are. There, he is safe.”
Kids who have struck out time and time again in a traditional school setting are able to soar at Westlawn. Not because of some special formula. But because they’re finally allowed to show what incredible little humans they are. And to learn who they are and what they have to offer the world. And Dr. Holden and Westlawn faculty want nothing more than to give them a real chance and to guide them along the way.
So what makes Westlawn different, you ask? You’ll feel it when you walk our halls. You’ll feel it when you listen to our learners. You’ll feel it when you see the monumental progress students have made since coming to Westlawn. You’ll feel it when you talk to our parents. You’ll just feel it, and then you’ll know.