Harley Schippell shares experiences with dyslexia

Harley Schippell became a bat mitzvah on May 13 at Temple Beth El in Allentown. Harley, twin sister of Samantha Schippell, attends AIM Academy outside Philadelphia, a private college-prep school for children with language-based learning differences. She enjoys art, acting and theater.

AIM Academy students thrive in classrooms that offer multisensory and experiential learning. Programs are designed to foster self-esteem and social responsibility. Academic and intellectual development is further enhanced by extracurricular activities and enrichment in the arts, athletics and community service. The goal is that upon graduation, students are prepared for the challenges, complexities and choices they’ll face in college and beyond.

Harley’s mitzvah project is unique. She wrote an essay on her personal experience of what it’s like learning with dyslexia. She was inspired by graphic novels about people who have struggled in some way and worked through it.

Her goal was to do as they do: educate in a way that’s fun and accessible.

“Classmates, teachers and even family members sometimes say things that feel so critical without realizing how much it hurts,” she said. “I also hold a lot in and am learning that it helps to talk about it.”

Her parents, Ed and Pamela Schippell, said, “We are so proud of all Harley’s accomplishments and how hard she works every day to learn and grow. Her superpowers are kindness and empathy for others, creativity, and humor.”

In addition to her mitzvah project, Harley has made her first adult gift of tzedakah (charity) to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.

For help developing a mitzvah project, contact Abby Trachtman, project coordinator, at abbyt@jflv.org or call her at the Federation office at 610-821-5500.