Switzer Learning Center boasts a rich legacy that began in 1966 with establishing the South Bay Center for Educational Therapy in a quaint storefront in Hermosa Beach. Dr. Janet Switzer founded the center to create a nurturing environment where children with learning disabilities could flourish. Dr. Switzer's innovative educational therapy program laid the groundwork for effective strategies to support students with diverse needs, ultimately influencing educational practices far beyond their early beginnings.
In 1972 the organization broadened its scope by launching a nonpublic special education school. It transitioned from the South Bay Center to what is now known as Switzer Center, relocating to Torrance. This strategic move marked a significant advancement in their mission to provide comprehensive support for students and their families.
Dr. Switzer was a nationally respected leader in education for children with learning disabilities. After earning her bachelor's degree in psychology from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, she moved to Los Angeles in 1962. There, she became the Director of Teacher Training at the Marianne Frostig Center for Educational Therapy in Altadena. Driven by her passion for educational equity and special needs advocacy, Dr. Switzer established her center in the South Bay.
Dr. Switzer's influence transcended the walls of the center. Judy Borck, the Center's co-founder, shared, "She always said she struggled to choose between being an educator and helping kids with special needs. Through the center, she finally found a way to blend her two passions."
Throughout her career, Dr. Switzer taught at UCLA and directly supported over 5,000 children facing learning disabilities and emotional challenges. At a time when her pioneering ideas seemed radical, Dr. Switzer's vision laid the foundation for a more inclusive educational framework. In recognition of her dedication and innovative spirit, Dr. Switzer co-founded the National Association of Educational Therapists and the California Association of Special Education Services. Her legacy inspires Switzer Learning's mission to provide exceptional educational support and resources.
Today, Switzer Learning Center offers a wide array of services designed to meet the unique needs of each child.
“What we were doing was revolutionary. We were blending psychology and teaching. These days developmental psychology is the leading point of view, but it wasn’t when I started the Center,” explained Dr. Switzer. “I can’t lay claim to being the first—but I was certainly one of the first [to use this modality]”
— Dr. Switzer, in an Easy Reader News May, 2011 interview