Why I Give to Carroll
Lory Doolittle, Grandparent
Years ago, Lory Doolittle held her breath, waiting to hear if her grandson Cole would go to Carroll. She knew he’d been struggling in school. And as a former educator, she believed Carroll’s approach to teaching children with language-based learning difficulties was exactly what he needed.
Today, she breathes a lot easier. Cole, a seventh grader, has been at Carroll for the last 5 years. And he’s doing well.
“Since coming to Carroll, he has so much more confidence,” Lory said. “It’s a terrific school. I wish all kids with learning disabilities could be there.”
This belief in Carroll and her love for her grandson were the impetus behind Lory’s generous contribution to the capital campaign. For years, Lory and her husband, Pete, have supported causes to which they had personal connections. Their philanthropy mission focuses on three areas: education, housing and land preservation. If Not for Carroll, with its aim to raise teacher salaries and provide them with professional development opportunities, increase financial aid, and expand facilities was a perfect fit.
“I’m a firm believer that you have to have strong teachers,” Lory said. “A good teacher believes that every kid has potential. Carroll teachers truly care for their kids and the kids know it. You don’t go into this kind of teaching unless you want to help children.”
Lory began her career as a French teacher and then moved to ESL. She and Pete met in the fourth grade while growing up in Cleveland, married after college, and lived all over the world. They have two sons and six grandchildren. Today, she resides in Florida where she is involved in a number of philanthropic projects, including The Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens where she also volunteers and works with kids.
Like many families at Carroll, Lory’s experience with dyslexia extends beyond her grandson’s diagnosis. She knew family members like her brother who were dyslexic but not diagnosed. Watching them grow up, she knew that they didn’t learn the same way as others and struggled with school. None had the benefits of a place like Carroll.
“No child by second grade doesn’t want to read,” she said. “Either they get coping skills or they fail. My grandson Cole wasn’t functioning well in the classroom at his regular school. Carroll has helped him have a stronger sense of himself.”
It’s not only the classrooms at Carroll that impress Lory. It’s the art, sports, and Bounders programs, too. “Cole is very creative. I think that’s the side of dyslexics that see the world differently. Carroll allows the creative side to develop. Arts are important for kids, especially Carroll kids. It helps even the playing field.”
In many ways, helping others, especially children, has been Lory’s life work.
“Carroll means so much to me,” she said. “I’m able to watch my grandson succeed in the classroom. And I appreciate being able to make an education possible for other students that was not available for my siblings and peers when I was growing up.”