Our Mission

“When you do not educate the child to be independent, you educate the child to be dependent.”

– Dr. Mária Hári, former director of the International Pető Institute.

Our mission is to provide opportunities for individuals with motor challenges to achieve optimal physical, cognitive, and social independence through the application and promotion of conductive education principles.

Mission, Vision, and Values

Individuals with motor disorders thrive with intense individualized instruction.

MISSION

The Conductive Learning Center of North America (CLC) exists to provide opportunities for individuals with motor challenges to achieve optimal physical, cognitive, and social independence through the application and promotion of conductive education principles.

This mission is underscored by our values of compassion, respect, excellence, openness, and wholeness.

VISION

The Conductive Learning Center of North America believes that conductive education is the best option for individuals with cerebral palsy and other non-progressive motor disabilities. Our vision for the future is that all students with a motor disorder have the tools and resources needed to live life to the fullest.

Learn More

1997

Chuck and Sue Saur seek support from local higher education institutions to develop a training program to make conductive education (CE) a reality in Michigan. After traveling abroad to access CE for their son Dan, they can see this life-changing program needs to be available for families in the United States.

1998

President of Aquinas College, Dr. Harry J. Knopke and Dr. James V. Garofalo, Dean of the School of Education, agree to complete a pilot study of conductive education at Ken-O-Sha School (Grand Rapids Public Schools). After great success, Aquinas moves forward to establish the first conductor-teacher training program in North America.

1999

International Pető Institute, now known as Semmelweis University Andras Pető Faculty, assigns Andrea Benyovszky as project director to establish a conductor-teacher training program and oversee the Conductive Learning Center lab school.

1999

President of Aquinas College, Harry J. Knopke, Ph.D., signs an agreement with International Pető Institute to establish a training program for conductor-teachers in Grand Rapids, MI. and the college hires former director of special education services at Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kathy Barker, to oversee the establishment of the Conductive Learning Center.

2005

Aquinas College graduates four students from the first cohort to complete the Bachelor of Arts Degree, obtaining their initial teacher certifications in Elementary Education and Physical or Other Health Impairment (POHI), as well as a conductor-teacher certification from the International Pető Institute.

2017

The Conductive Learning Center becomes a wholly independent non-profit and re- establishes itself as a fully licensed non-public school.

2019

CLC moves to its new, fully renovated location on Camelot Court to increase its capacity and create more opportunities to serve more students living with motor challenges.

2023

CLC kicks off a celebration of 25 Years of Advancing Independence through conductive education. Since its pilot program in the summer of 1999, CLC has served nearly 1,000  students and their families — providing support, confidence, independence, and hope.