About Lisa
• M.A. Elementary Education and K-8 Teaching Credential from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles
• Currently enrolled in The Professional Certificate in Educational Therapy Program at the University of California Riverside.
• Member of the Association of Educational Therapists. www.aetonline.org
• Trained Educational Specialist with experience as a Behavior Intervention Therapist and Teacher in Developmental Kindergarten and ESL classrooms.
• Tutoring focuses on improving skills in the areas of reading and comprehension, writing, language, math, problem solving, executive functioning, studying, metacognition and processing, auditory processing, memory, focus, flexible thinking, social/emotional skills, and self-advocacy.
• Specializes in teaching students with: Learning Differences, Intellectual Giftedness, Executive Functioning disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder, Emotional Disturbance, Vision Disturbances, Dyslexia, Processing Disorders, Dysgraphia, Dispraxia, and Test Anxiety.
• Utilizes evidence based educational programs such as Lindamood Bell’s LiPs, Talkies, VV, and Seeing Stars, RAVE-O, Read Naturally, Great Leaps, Glass Reading, Step-up-to-Writing, Jane Shaffer Writing Program, Woodin and Discover Math, Retrain the Brain, Handwriting Without Tears, PACE, Cogmed, and Core Learning.
• Clinically trained to provide Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, Applied Behavior Analysis, Discreet Trial Training, and Floortime interventions.
Read more about my background here.
After moving from Chicago to Los Angles, I began working at the Westside Family YMCA as the Brentwood Youth House Coordinator and eventually, Associate Community Programs Director. I had the opportunity to work with countless students from diverse backgrounds and with unique needs. While planning after school curriculum for our homework/enrichment center and summer day camp, in addition to organizing family nights and community events, my passion for teaching and working with families was furthered. I credit the YMCA for equipping me with the specific set of skills needed for my next job opportunity. I transitioned from the YMCA to Working With Autism, a company that provides individualized programming to children diagnosed with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders as well as teaches effective behavioral strategies to parents, teachers, and caretakers. As a Behavior Intervention Therapist, I worked with students in their classrooms and homes. In both locations, we worked on social skills, appropriate coping methods, language skills, verbal expression, self-help skills, independence, attention strategies, and academic work when needed. I helped teachers implement behavior intervention plans, create appropriate learning environments, and trained them to implement effective behavior strategies for all students in the classroom. Nurturing a home-school connection, I kept parent-teacher communication as a top priority because it benefits students greatly when all adults work together to assist in development and growth. At home, plans often had a focus on parent education; helping them build structure in the home environment that benefited all family members, working on relational skills, shaping educational and regular playtime, teaching them how to implement their own behavior plans, creating organized study areas, and educating them on positive behavior reinforcement at home and in the community. Upon completion of my M.A. in Elementary Education and K-8 teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University, I began working for the K & M Center, an educational therapy company, in Santa Monica. I was trained to administer multiple research-based programs in reading, writing, math, auditory processing, and executive functioning. I also had the opportunity to homeschool several elementary and middle school students who needed extra time to develop and strengthen their fundamental skills. During private sessions, it was my goal to help students understand themselves, their individual strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles in order to sucessfully acheive their personal goals. The positive experience at K & M inspired me to pursue an Educational Therapy certification from UC Riverside as well as a Professional Membership (ET/P) in the Association of Educational Therapists. My professional and educational backgrounds are as diverse as the families and students with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Having had the opportunity to work with children during all stages of development, I’m experienced teaching students from each age group and grade level with vastly different needs-ADHD, autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, intellectual giftedness, learning differences, speech and language disorders, social/emotional issues, developmental delays, and various physical disabilities. Each opportunity has prepared me for my current professional venture as an independent educational specialist in New York City. Specializing in early interventions and academic remediation, I create and implement individualized programming to help your child achieve their personal best while becoming independent learners and self advocates.
When given the opportunity to work with children in preschool, I can assist in kindergarten preparedness and identifying any areas of concern that should be addressed. Early intervention behavior programming can help children learn to socialize appropriately, strengthen motor skills, obtain sensory integration, recognize emotions, and utilize appropriate coping methods. Academic remediation plans often focus on reading, writing and math skills, but also include homework help, learning and metacognitive strategies, organization, and study skills. Sessions are tailored to meet all the needs of your child as academics and behavior often go hand in hand. Focusing on student’s individual strengths, weaknesses, and areas of need, I create personalized, multi-sensory sessions that will benefit all areas of your child’s developmental needs-physical, intellectual, language, emotional, and social.