Shifting Perspective

Viewing Learning Differences as Assets

Paul Dowd ’87 came to Forman School during a period when the school was garnering attention for its groundbreaking education for students who learn differently.

Paul recalls his parents seeking a private high school to support his dyslexia, which coincided with a 1982 TIME magazine article spotlighting a shift in attitudes to education for those with learning differences. The article deemed Forman the best school of its kind in America. With that recognition and its proximity to his home in Canton, CT, Paul’s parents knew that Forman was the right fit. 

Though apprehensive about a major change in his schooling, Paul acknowledged that learning and, specifically, reading and writing were challenges in his current situation. “Although I had a strong network of friends and generally liked school, especially the social aspect, I recognized that I was struggling. It was clear to me that each year, school became more challenging, and I was falling behind,” he says. 

Paul’s first year at Forman was a difficult adjustment, as he was in a new environment and living away from home for the first time. Eventually, his perspective shifted. “Each day, it got better,” he says. “By my sophomore year, I truly enjoyed myself. By my junior and senior years, I absolutely loved it. Forman was a game-changer for me.” 

Receiving the right support for his learning difference ultimately helped Paul understand how he learns. He recalls his time as a student, “I was moving at a pace that other kids were moving, so it was easier to ask questions and to understand. I felt the Forman teachers understood my needs. They actively worked with me, taking a personal interest in my development.” 

For Paul, the pivotal moment was being inducted into the National Honor Society in recognition of his academic achievements, something that would not have happened without Forman. “I knew I had flipped a switch and could be successful at school,” he shares. “I remember that being a turning point.” 

The added requirement at Forman to participate in sports and extracurricular activities led Paul to new opportunities that have had a lifelong impact. He played several sports, participating on the soccer, ski, and golf teams, and found a passion for lacrosse, a sport he didn’t know existed, until he arrived at Forman. “I was fortunate to have the exposure. Sports became a big part of my kids’ lives because of my high school experience,” he says. “Self-confidence, discipline, time management, and teamwork are all skills developed from sports, which are invaluable life skills. Forman taught me these valuable lessons that I’ve instilled in my children.” 

Despite graduating more than three decades ago, Paul maintains close contact with several classmates because of the strong friendships they built as students. He reflects positively on the benefits of the boarding school experience, noting his own personal growth. “You don’t have parents looking over your shoulder every day, so you grow up quickly and embrace responsibilities such as being a good student, an athlete, being responsible for your actions, and developing as a person,” he says. 

Following graduation, Paul attended the University of New Hampshire, earning an Associate Degree in Horticulture Technologies and Landscape Design. He also ran a College Pro Painting franchise, where he caught the entrepreneurship bug, leading him to pursue a Business Administration degree at New England College. After college, Paul worked in sales for a Boston-area company before moving back to Connecticut, where he lives today with Alexis, his wife, and their two children, Allie and Will. 

In 1999, the entrepreneurial spirit drove Paul to start his own business, which he ran for over 20 years. Managed Air Systems, a systems integrator for coating applications, attracted customers such as Ethan Allen Furniture, Ovation Guitar, Penske, Subaru North America, ADESA Auto Auction, Sikorsky Aircraft, and the New York City Transit Authority, to name a few. 

In 2021, Paul engaged in a second start-up, Armory Technologies, where he serves as President and CEO. Armory specializes in mechanical metamaterials. Paul notes that some of the IP was developed through R&D contracts for NASA, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation. He adds, “It’s the idea of embedding geometric structure in conventional 2D materials, such as sheet metals, plastics, and composites, to create 3D materials that are lighter, stronger, and more resilient. Our technology is a faster, more economical way to improve material and product performance in countless applications.” 

Looking back, Paul credits his success to the support of his parents and the incredible educational foundation he received at Forman. “While I was not originally happy with my parents’ assessment at the ripe age of 14, I quickly learned how spot-on they were,” he says. “Forman was 100% the right decision. When I left high school to attend college, I recognized Forman had opened my eyes to the countless possibilities I had, which ultimately changed my ambitions and created a career path.” 

Paul’s transformative experience at Forman has led him to refer multiple families to the school over the years. Not only does Paul enjoy sharing the story about the confidence he gained, but he says referring and encouraging other families to explore the value of Forman is both rewarding and a way to give back to the school that supported his personal growth. 

“To continue to see the school grow and help others is incredibly meaningful to me,” he says. “I want to see the school continue to flourish and support kids who have learning differences. It gives me great pleasure to see the school thriving 37 years after my graduation.” 

Paul encourages current students to believe in themselves, lean into their strengths, and unleash their potential, saying, “If you embrace the Forman experience, you’ll develop tremendous learning skills and build self-confidence to help you accomplish what you set your mind to. And if you want something badly enough, you can achieve it. It’s just a matter of applying yourself. My guess is a lot of students come to Forman like I did, somewhat deflated, feeling challenged because of their learning differences. What they need to recognize is those learning differences can actually be incredible strengths and should be viewed as assets.” 

“I view my learning difference as an advantage, and, in many ways, it has shaped me to be who I am," he adds. 

Reflecting on how he has overcome challenges from dyslexia in his career, he adds, “I don’t think you ever fully outgrow your learning differences, but you learn to work with them. I’ve been complimented more times than I can count on my communication skills and writing abilities. That’s a transformation that would not have taken place, had it not been for Forman School and the amazing, dedicated teachers and coaches who helped to provide me with the tools and self-confidence required to become who I am today.”

This article was originally published in Forman School's Fall 2024 Forman Letter magazine.