Priddy Learning Academy Celebrates 20 Years!

On Saturday, June 4, Priddy Learning Academy hosted its 20th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony at St. Stephen’s Church.  Staff, students, family and friends joined to honor student academic achievements at the Academy. Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Michael Priddy, founding director of Priddy Learning Academy, who opened the Academy at the church in April 1996, before moving in 2001 to their current location at 266 Essex Street.

Mr. Priddy extended gratitude to his wife, co-director Dr. Fangjie Liu, his mentors, staff, students and parents who have been key in shaping Priddy Learning Academy into what it is today.  At Priddy, programs provide one-on-one attention to students in the classroom, while students are responsible for daily practice assignments that correspond to their individual progress and pace.

Elementary, middle and high school students were called one-by-one on stage to receive their awards.  Some students have only been at the Academy for a year, others for more than a decade.

Cody Chow, Yizhou Wang, Ryan Messinger, Cynthia Mustafa, Carly Susser, Brian Cao, Michael Priddy

Former students and parents also came to speak on behalf of the Academy.  Krista Young, 21, Millburn High School graduate, attended the Academy for 6 years and is studying at NYU-Shanghai in China.  “It was so incredible to have someone believe in me,” she recalled.  “Mr. Priddy and Fangjie have taught me how to support and set goals for myself.  I know for a fact I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.”

“My biggest advice for you guys,” said Young, turning to the row of elementary school students who had all received their awards, “is to take advantage of this huge resource you have.  Mr. Priddy and Fangjie have a lifetime of experience to offer you.”

Another former student and speaker, Briana Spann, 23, of Maplewood and recent graduate of Columbia University, spoke of her 11-year experience at the Academy.  “There are three words when I think of Priddy Learning Academy: consistency, repetition, and focus.  These are what I took away from my journey at Priddy Learning Academy with Mr. Priddy and Fangjie, who I consider my friends,”  Spann said.  “I can’t thank them enough.”

Renee Milak, of Springfield, one of Priddy’s first parents 20 years ago and mother of Katie and Annie, related her experience. “I believe that Priddy Learning Academy was much, much more than a place to be educated, but a place to grow; understand; accept failure at times and then rejoice in success with hard work, motivation and determination; and possibly most of all, the encouragement and pride from you and your wife to our daughters’ most important accomplishments in their school experiences and in their hobbies and after-school activities.  Not only have I seen this kind, nurturing attention given to my daughters, but I believe it is the way you are with all your students and in order to be prepared for life’s ups and downs, I believe each student needs that extra calming touch in their every-day complicated lives that they receive at Priddy in addition to the outstanding excellence in tutoring.”

Special thanks to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Millburn for allowing us to use their facility.

A reception and raffle followed the ceremony.  Parents hugged and congratulated one another.  Students ate cake and opened their goodie bags: inside, a commemorative porcelain mug and knapsack.  As the happiness and success of its students continues to grow, so does the Priddy Learning Academy, and the community of passionate learners and leaders it has made.

The Cake!