Learning lab staff

CLINICAL STAFF

Karen Conti Lindem, Ph.D., Ph.D., Director of The Learning Lab

Dr. Karen Lindem is a Clinical Neuropsychologist & Licensed Psychologist with expertise in learning issues and developmental processes across the life span. Dr. Lindem began her career in elementary education, was quickly drawn to those children who struggled to learn in the classroom, and then entered graduate training, completing a PhD in Neuroscience as well as a PhD in Clinical Psychology. As a dual-degreed clinician, Dr. Lindem has experience with a broad range of issues that can impact learning and success in the classroom for children, adolescents, and adults. Her expertise includes language based learning issues, nonverbal learning issues, attention and executive dysfunction, ADHD, giftedness, Asperger Syndrome, as well as emotional, behavioral, and medical conditions that impact cognitive and academic development.  Dr. Lindem specializes in identifying both subtle and severe learning challenges that create barriers to academic success in reading, math, written and oral expression. As a Clinical Neuropsychologist with a background in education, Dr. Lindem brings an informed perspective and enthusiastic application of Neuropsychology to the classroom for learners of all ages.

Sean Hyde O'Brien, Psy.D., Staff Neuropsychologist

Dr. Sean O'Brien is a licensed psychologist and pediatric neuropsychologist with a specialty in the assessment of children and adolescents with mild to moderate neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Disorder, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Dr. O'Brien completed his doctorate at the University of Hartford, his internship at Worcester State Hospital/University of Massachusetts Medical School, and his postdoctoral training in pediatric neuropsychology at both Harvard Medical School (McLean Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance) and here at the Learning Lab @ Lesley. He is a former Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he evaluated and treated children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders. In addition to his assessment work at the Learning Lab, Sean enjoys teaching pragmatic social skills to children with developmental disabilities.

TUTORING STAFF

Kurt Mueller, B.A., Coordinator of Tutoring Services

Kurt Mueller has been the Coordinator of Tutoring Services at the Learning Lab @ Lesley since 2006. Mr. Mueller graduated from Colgate University with a B.A. in German and completed TESL/TEFL certification at Saint Michael’s College. For the past 5 years, Mr. Mueller has managed a tutoring and educational consulting business. With a rich teaching and tutoring background in foreign language learning, English Language Arts, and TESL/TEFL, Mr. Mueller has expertise in subject-based, homework support, enrichment, and other specialized tutoring services. Mr. Mueller tutors students in German, reading, writing, and ESL. Mr. Mueller also works with students on improving their organizational and executive functioning skills. Mr. Mueller likes to help students, families, and Tutors make learning fun, goal-oriented, and effective. When Mr. Mueller isn’t at the Learning Lab, he enjoys basketball, tennis, cooking, reading, playing Scrabble, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with his friends and family. Mr. Mueller is also a volunteer with Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay.

Beth Chapin, M.Ed.

For over 30 years, Beth Chapin has developed curriculum and taught high school reading, English, study skills, and MCAS/SAT prep. She is also a certified tutor in the Wilson Reading Program. Ms. Chapin is a dedicated teacher who works with many students, including those who find school continuously challenging, those who are just meeting an occasional obstacle, and those who need to develop reading, writing, and study skills. She graduated from Middlebury and then earned her master's from Lesley University.

Rachel Devlin, M.A., Education; B.A., Sociology

Rachel Devlin received her M.A. in Education from Boston University, with a concentration in Special Education.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Trinity College in Hartford.  Rachel holds Massachusetts teacher’s certifications in both Special Education and Regular Education.  She has been teaching for six years in grades two through eight, with most experience at the middle school level.  Her teaching experience includes one-to-one, small group, and full classroom instruction.  Training in methods of specialized instruction has been valuable in Rachel’s teaching.  She is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Visualizing and Verbalizing, and LINKS, and is certified in Wilson.  In addition, Rachel has attended many math workshops which have helped inform her instruction.  Rachel’s tutoring approach is multi-sensory and aims to give students strategies they can learn to use independently. In her free time, Rachel loves to experiment with sewing and cooking.  She also enjoys socializing with friends and family.

Debra Dunnington, M. Ed., M.Div. Candidate

Debra Dunnington received her M.Ed. in moderate special needs and middle school education from Lesley University. She has considerable professional experience working with ED/LD students. For more than 15 years, Ms. Dunnington has taught a variety of subjects with a particular emphasis on reading development. She is trained in Project Read, Orton-Gillingham, and is familiar with the Wilson Reading Program. In addition, she utilizes a mediated learning strategy to enhance efficient learning. Currently, Ms. Dunnington is pursuing a master's of divinity in the area of faith, health, and spirituality from Andover Newton Theological School.

Colleen Fennell, M.A., Child Development & Elementary Education; B.A., Psychology & English

Colleen Fennell earned her Master of Arts in Child Development and Elementary Education at the Eliot-Pearson School of Child Development at Tufts University.  Ms. Fennell concentrated her graduate studies in learning disorders, in particular language and literacy development.  She completed training at the Institute for Learning and Development in Lexington, MA where she gained expertise in the assessment of learning disabilities and attention difficulties.   Ms. Fennell has taught as an early reading intervention specialist and Title 1 reading teacher for K2 and 1st grade students. For the past three summers, she has worked as a math tutor and teacher at the Carroll School summer program.  Ms. Fennell tutors primarily elementary age students from Kindergarten through 7th grade. Her tutoring approach is process-based, multi-sensory, and aimed at empowering students with a set of learning strategies and meta-cognitive skills.  When not tutoring at the Learning Lab, Ms. Fennell teaches in a 6th grade integrated special education program.

Cheryl Norton, M.A., Special Education; B.A., Elementary & Early Childhood Education

Cheryl Norton has earned her Master of Arts Degree in Special Education from Lesley College.  Mrs. Norton concentrated her graduate studies in learning and developmental disabilities.  Training was completed at the Beverly Public Schools with specialized training at the Landmark School in Beverly.  She received a B.S. from Lesley University in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and has taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade classrooms.  Ms. Norton has taken extensive coursework in assessment and programming for students with significant language and reading disabilities, including the Wilson Reading Program.  As a Learning Center teacher for K-5 students, she has developed specialized instruction based on Individual Education Plans of students in reading, writing/language and math.  Mrs. Norton established a Language Based Classroom for Beverly students at the Middle School level where she taught specialized classes in all primary subjects.  She provided strategies for students in organization and study skills and has utilized a multi-sensory approach to instruction.  Mrs. Norton’s goal is to teach accommodations and compensatory strategies for special needs students to utilize and adapt in their own learning while building their self-esteem and self-confidence.  She focuses on all modalities with students and utilizes many theories, applications and materials in her current role as a third grade teacher and tutor. Mrs. Norton likes to incorporate a child’s strengths and interest in tutoring sessions and enjoys making learning fun using games, puzzles and activities.  On a personal level, Mrs. Norton loves spending time with her family.  She enjoys crafts, sports, reading, plays and movies.

Nour Hachache, M.Ed.

Nour Hachace received her Master of Education degree and Massachusetts Standard Certification in Early Childhood (N-3) from Lesley University. She taught preschool through fifth grade in Brookline and Cambridge Public and is currently a preschool teacher in Somerville. Ms. Hachache believes it is important to listen to children's ideas and to help them build on their own knowledge and strengths, providing them with the tools they need to develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills.

Melissa Orkin, B.A.

Melissa Orkin is a reading Tutor at the Learning Lab @ Lesley. Ms. Orkin has her B.A. from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Child Development from Tufts University. Ms. Orkin is trained in Wilson Reading systems and is currently receiving her certification in Orton-Gillingham. She has extensive experience tutoring elementary and middle school students, and most recently worked as an Early Literacy Aide with the Newton Public Schools.  As a reading Tutor, Ms. Orkin believes that effective collaboration is the result of a supportive and consistent learning environment and the use of multi-sensory techniques. When she’s not at the Learning Lab, Ms. Orkin assists in developmental research and works to perfect her cupcake recipes.

Anthony Principe, M.A. Human Development  & Special Education; BA. Sociology

Anthony earned his MA in Human Development and Special Education at Salve Regina University in Newport RI.  He earned his BA in Sociology at Providence College.  Anthony is an experienced high school special educator and administrator. He holds teaching certificates in both regular education and special education. Anthony is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Visualizing and Verbalizing, and Project Read. During his tenure at Newton Public Schools, Anthony has developed new special education programs.  In 1996 he developed a special education program that provides support for students who are having social/emotional and/or academic adjustment problems. In 2003 Anthony developed another special education program that provides support for students with developmental disabilities along with students on the autism spectrum. In both programs, students are in full inclusion settings and have access to the entire high school curriculum. Currently Anthony teaches academic strategies to high school students with specific learning disabilities and co-teaches in the smaller learning community for grades 9 and 10. In addition, Anthony coordinates and administers the high school MCAS exams for students on IEPs.  As a tutor, Anthony helps clients to develop individual learning strategies and plan an approach that best fits individual needs.  Throughout the tutoring process Anthony monitors and evaluates progress towards meeting specific learning goals. At the Learning Lab, Anthony provides organizational and executive functioning skills tutoring. When not in the classroom or tutoring, Anthony coaches 9th grade football.

Christopher Russell, B.A.

Christopher Russell earned his B.A. in Psychology and Biology at Harvard University . He is currently completing his degree in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and is interested in pediatric medicine. He has extensive teaching experience at Harvard University and has taught over ten courses in mathematics, biology and human physiology. For his work at Harvard, Mr. Russell has earned the Certificate for Distinction in Teaching in 2006 based on high evaluations from his students. He has also worked as a tutor for both college- and high-school level students of various backgrounds and abilities. Mr. Russell’s tutoring style is based upon teaching general approaches to problem solving that can be applied to various scenarios. He works with students to increase their organization and time management skills. In his free time, Mr. Russell likes to play tennis, row crew and to ballroom dance.

Nancy Shields, M. Ed. Reading; B.A., Elementary Education

Nancy Shields earned her M. Ed. in Reading at Northeastern University and her B.A. degree at the University of New Hampshire. She has earned 60 graduate level credits beyond her Master’s Degree in literacy instruction. Ms Shields has 25 years experience as an elementary reading specialist (K-5) and 10 years experience as an elementary classroom teacher. She has extensive training in specialized reading instruction, including the Wilson Reading System, Wilson Fundations, and Project Read. Ms. Shields is trained to administer DIBELS assessments and to use data for improving fluency and phonemic awareness. She is experienced using leveled text and benchmark assessments as part of a guided reading approach. Ms. Shields has trained staff in implementing the five components of a balanced literacy approach, including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and text comprehension. Ms. Shields’ tutoring approach is targeted to strengthen areas of need by using strategy-based instruction and multi-sensory techniques. Ms. Shields strives to make learning student-centered. A recently retired educator, Ms. Shields enjoys tutoring at the Learning Lab and in her free time likes to boat, ski, and decorate her home.

Maria Vistica, M.Ed. in Special Education; B.A. in Psychology, Orton-Gillingham Certificate and TEFL Certificate

Maria Vistica earned her M.Ed. in Special Education at the University of Vermont. She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including both public and private schools. She served as an Evaluation Team Leader in the public schools, where she completed educational testing of students, chaired TEAM meetings, and facilitated and coordinated the 766 evaluation process. She has also served as an Inclusion Teacher at the Middle School level, a Head Life skills Teacher for students with intensive special needs, and a Learning Center Teacher in a private high school. In the latter role, she assisted students with study and organizational skills and strategies, time management, and research and writing skills. Maria also has significant tutoring experience working with students primarily from grades 2-12. She has tutored individual students in all subjects for grades 2-10, has taught SAT Preparation (Verbal section) at Boston Latin High School, and has tutored high school students using a structured approach to writing term papers. Her additional expertise includes Orton-Gillingham training for teaching Language Arts to dyslexic students. This sequential and multisensory approach facilitates the strengthening of neural pathways so that students can more easily master the patterns of the English language.  Maria also earned a TEFL Certificate after designing and instructing specialized English classes for foreign students during the summer of 2006. She is currently interested in tutoring dyslexic students and ELL students, as well as students with mild to moderate learning issues who may need assistance with writing assignments, term papers, and study and organizational skills.