Project Eye to Eye

Leadership

Jonathan Mooney, President / Co-Founder

Jonathan Mooney Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer and activist who did not learn to read until he was 12 years old. He is a graduate of Brown University and a holds an honors degree in English Literature. Jonathan is the winner of the prestigious Truman Scholarship for graduate studies in creative writing and education and was a national finalist for the Rhodes scholarship. With the publication of Learning Outside the Lines when he was 23, now in its eighth printing, a book that is part memoir and part alternative study skills, Jonathan has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in LD/ADHD, disabilities, and alternative education. In the summer of 2007, Jonathan’s second book, The Short Bus Story, was published by Henry Holt. For this project, Jonathan drove around the United States for four months exploring the social construct of normalcy in American culture. A work of creative non-fiction, this book is part travel log and part profiles of sixteen exceptional individuals who have been labeled abnormal.

Jonathan has lectured at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Brown University, the University of Wisconsin School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, New York University Medical School’s Grand Rounds, and Beaumont Pediatric Hospital’s Grand Rounds and hundreds of universities, schools, and communities around the world. But to this date, his favorite gig was at an elementary school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the kids gave him hope.

Jonathan has been featured and quoted in The New York Times, The Providence Journal, The Boston Globe, USA Today, New York Magazine and numerous other local and regional papers in the cities, states, and countries where Jonathan has traveled. His most memorable experience, however, was being interviewed for the Brazilian cable company El Globo, where his voice was dubbed into Portuguese. The company reported that they haven't received that much mail since their feature on David Hasselhoff.

David Flink, Executive Director / Co-Founder

Like many who are eventually diagnosed with dyslexia, David Flink’s first exposure to the treatment of this learning difference was on the cold linoleum floor outside his 5th grade classroom. He existed for a year in this reading group of one where his teachers, although often well intentioned, did not teach David fundamental reading skills but instead, shame. Though struggling through much of his pre-college education, David eventually found success in school and once attending Brown University decided he needed to transcend his past experiences and attempt to empower others who might be encountering similar difficulty in school. Hence, he became one of the founding creators of Project Eye-To-Eye.

In addition to his work in Project Eye-To-Eye, David graduated from Brown University with honors with a degree in Education and a second degree in Psychology and holds a Masters degree in Disability Studies from Columbia University, Teachers College. The Orton Gillingham Society has recognized his Honors Thesis on the Treatment of Dyslexia through Multisensory Learning. David has lectured at Brown University, Dartmouth College, Vassar College, Columbia University, Reed College, and numerous conferences for organizations including the International Dyslexia Association.

David has served as an Admissions Officer for Brown University, where he evaluated over 4,000 applications, and was the Disability Admissions Liaison at Brown University, reviewing all applications of those who apply to Brown with disabilities.

Marcus Soutra, National Program Coordinator

Marcus Soutra was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at a young age and spent most of his childhood feeling stupid, misunderstood, and ashamed of his learning disability. Over time Marcus grew to understand that his learning disability was in fact not going to determine his fate and after finding success in school chose to devote his life to paving the path for all students to find success in their education.

Soutra holds a degree in Social Science and Secondary Education from Keene State College and has worked extensively in both middle and high school level classrooms. Soutra is also the founder of the first ever Project Eye-To-Eye chapter at Keene State College and the creator of (KSDA) Keene State Disabilities Advocates, a group that works to motivate and educate people on disability issues in the state of New Hampshire.

As National Program Coordinator of Project Eye-To-Eye, Soutra is responsible for managing and cultivating Project Eye-To-Eye chapters nationwide. In addition, Soutra is the co-founder of Project Eye-To-Eye's Camp Vision, the newest addition to the Project Eye-To-Eye program. Soutra has given lectures at Reed College, Dartmouth College, Hobart and William Smith, Radford University, Brown University and was the keynote speaker at the New Jersey City University Conference on Transition. All of Soutra's work is done with the goal to ensure that other students that are labeled with learning disabilities are able to celebrate their differences, and through that celebration, are given the abilities to find their own success.

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Donate Now Project Eye-To-Eye Sites How To Start Your Site Newsletter Programs and Community Outreach e-Mentoring (Mentors and Alum only)	Leadership Jonathan Mooney, President / Co-Founder Jonathan Mooney is a dyslexic writer and activist who did not learn to read until he was 12 years old. He is a graduate of Brown University and a holds an honors degree in English Literature. Jonathan is the winner of the prestigious Truman Scholarship for graduate studies in creative writing and education and was a national finalist for the Rhodes scholarship. With the publication of Learning Outside the Lines when he was 23, now in its eighth printing, a book that is part memoir and part alternative study skills, Jonathan has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in LD/ADHD, disabilities, and alternative education. In the summer of 2007, Jonathan’s second book, The Short Bus Story, was published by Henry Holt. For this project, Jonathan drove around the United States for four months exploring the social construct of normalcy in American culture. A work of creative non-fiction, this book is part travel log and part profiles of sixteen exceptional individuals who have been labeled abnormal. Jonathan has lectured at Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Brown University, the University of Wisconsin School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, New York University Medical School’s Grand Rounds, and Beaumont Pediatric Hospital’s Grand Rounds and hundreds of universities, schools, and communities around the world. But to this date, his favorite gig was at an elementary school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the kids gave him hope. Jonathan has been featured and quoted in The New York Times, The Providence Journal, The Boston Globe, USA Today, New York Magazine and numerous other local and regional papers in the cities, states, and countries where Jonathan has traveled. His most memorable experience, however, was being interviewed for the Brazilian cable company El Globo, where his voice was dubbed into Portuguese. The company reported that they haven't received that much mail since their feature on David Hasselhoff. David Flink, Executive Director / Co-Founder Like many who are eventually diagnosed with dyslexia, David Flink’s first exposure to the treatment of this learning difference was on the cold linoleum floor outside his 5th grade classroom. He existed for a year in this reading group of one where his teachers, although often well intentioned, did not teach David fundamental reading skills but instead, shame. Though struggling through much of his pre-college education, David eventually found success in school and once attending Brown University decided he needed to transcend his past experiences and attempt to empower others who might be encountering similar difficulty in school. Hence, he became one of the founding creators of Project Eye-To-Eye. In addition to his work in Project Eye-To-Eye, David graduated from Brown University with honors with a degree in Education and a second degree in Psychology and holds a Masters degree in Disability Studies from Columbia University, Teachers College. The Orton Gillingham Society has recognized his Honors Thesis on the Treatment of Dyslexia through Multisensory Learning. David has lectured at Brown University, Dartmouth College, Vassar College, Columbia University, Reed College, and numerous conferences for organizations including the International Dyslexia Association. David has served as an Admissions Officer for Brown University, where he evaluated over 4,000 applications, and was the Disability Admissions Liaison at Brown University, reviewing all applications of those who apply to Brown with disabilities. Marcus Soutra, National Program Coordinator Marcus Soutra was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD at a young age and spent most of his childhood feeling stupid, misunderstood, and ashamed of his learning disability. Over time Marcus grew to understand that his learning disability was in fact not going to determine his fate and after finding success in school chose to devote his life to paving the path for all students to find success in their education. Soutra holds a degree in Social Science and Secondary Education from Keene State College and has worked extensively in both middle and high school level classrooms. Soutra is also the founder of the first ever Project Eye-To-Eye chapter at Keene State College and the creator of (KSDA) Keene State Disabilities Advocates, a group that works to motivate and educate people on disability issues in the state of New Hampshire. As National Program Coordinator of Project Eye-To-Eye, Soutra is responsible for managing and cultivating Project Eye-To-Eye chapters nationwide. In addition, Soutra is the co-founder of Project Eye-To-Eye's Camp Vision, the newest addition to the Project Eye-To-Eye program. Soutra has given lectures at Reed College, Dartmouth College, Hobart and William Smith, Radford University, Brown University and was the keynote speaker at the New Jersey City University Conference on Transition. All of Soutra's work is done with the goal to ensure that other students that are labeled with learning disabilities are able to celebrate their differences, and through that celebration, are given the abilities to find their own success.
©2006 Project Eye To Eye