Private School in Lake Norman | Learning Enrichment Center

Social Skills Groups

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Social Skills Groups
Social Skills Groups are led and directed by an occupational therapist to focus on an array of social skills. The occupational therapist intentionally designs and creates a learning environment that is adapted for each individual participant to support their level of need. The focus of social groups will be to teach kids to interact appropriately with others, and to help kids learn conversational skills, problem-solving, and self-regulation in a group setting. Social Skills Groups will be made up of 3-4 students, grouped by age and goal areas.

Sessions will last 30 minutes and meet weekly. Social skills groups include:
- Positive Peer Interactions
- Taking Turns & Problem Solving
- Cooperative Play
- Expressing Feelings
- Perspective Taking
- Understanding Non-Verbal Cues
Click HERE to register for a social skills group.

Instructional Services

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Tutoring

LEC Instructors meet with students in a one-on-one setting for one or more sessions per week to provide review or remedial instruction in a specific subject area (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and/or Foreign Language) or to address specific academic difficulties (reading fluency and comprehension or math skills). Tutoring is available to students at all grade levels.

Click HERE to register for a tutor.
Academic Coaching/Executive Function Support

LEC Academic Coaches meet with students in a one-on-one setting, for one or more sessions per week to support and improve academic performance. Academic coaching is designed to help students develop organizational and time management skills, learning techniques, and self-advocacy. Classroom assignments may be utilized as training tools; however, Academic Coaching is more than ‘homework help’. It is a working relationship focused on the processes of learning. Students will likely have homework remaining after sessions. Academic Coaching is available to students at all grade levels.

Click HERE to register for a tutor.

Other Services

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Speech-Language Therapy

Davidson Day School has a contract with Speech Techniques to provide speech-language services on campus during the school day.

Speech-Language Therapists meet with students in a one-on-one setting, for one or more sessions per week to improve oral-motor competence, language processing and comprehension, and the skills necessary for effective communication with peers and adults. Speech-Language Therapy is available to students at all grade levels, with sessions typically lasting 30-minutes.

Click HERE to register for speech-language therapy.
Occupational Therapy

Davidson Day School has a contract with Integrative Wellness to provide occupational therapy services on campus during the school day as an additional service through the Learning and Enrichment Center.

Occupational Therapists meet with students in a one-on-one setting for one or more sessions per week to improve handwriting, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, social skills, and other fine motor skills. Occupational therapy is available to students at all grade levels, with sessions typically lasting 30-minutes.

Click HERE to schedule occupational therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I get my child a tutor in the LEC?

If you would like to hire one of our tutors, please submit our Request a Tutor Form. Director of Learning Services, Laurissa Ecker-Berkman, will then call you to discuss the kind of academic support your child needs and what type of tutoring services are available. Together, we will find the tutor to match the needs of your child.
How are services delivered at the LEC?

Each tutor has his/her own private office in the LEC where he or she will meet one-to-one with a student. The environment is welcoming and is child-centered outfitted with different types of seating, work spaces, dry erase boards, and manipulatives to support learning.
How am I kept informed about my child's progress?

At the end of each week, you will receive an email from your child’s tutor. The tutor will give you an overview of the work that was completed during the tutoring session, what still needs to be completed, and possible home follow-up.
Why is the LEC preferable to an outside tutoring service?

When you partner with the LEC, your child’s tutoring is often done during the school day, often during a study hall period. This allows for flexibility after school to enable your child to take part in extracurricular activities. Additionally, the tutor will have direct contact with the classroom teacher/subject area teacher.

Parent of an 8th Grade Student

We have been so pleased with our son’s academic coaching/tutoring experience through the LEC at Davidson Day. With the guidance and support of his tutor for the past couple of years, we have seen his confidence grow. Even better, we have observed positive behavioral changes in how he approaches his schoolwork and that has translated to improved grades. These services are a true asset to supplement our child’s overall academic experience. We feel fortunate to have the LEC services available to help our child thrive.

Parent of a 7th Grade Student

My daughter has been fortunate to avail herself of the outstanding services provided by the LEC program each year of her tenure at Davidson Day. First and foremost, the LEC has been extraordinarily focused on crafting a curriculum designed to address the specific academic and personal needs of our daughter. The LEC makes it a priority to clearly understand the unique challenges that confront our daughter so that their team can structure an approach that sets her up for academic and personal success. One very important component of the LEC model is their highly dynamic collaboration with the Davidson Day teaching and administrative staff. Nothing is done in a vacuum. Teacher input/guidance to the development of the LEC program is not only encouraged but actively pursued by the LEC team. Our daughter has thrived as a direct result of the LEC. In our view, the LEC is a crucial element of the amazing culture that makes Davidson Day such a unique school.

LEC Tutors & Academic Coaches

List of 13 members.

Laurissa Ecker-Berkman

Director of Learning Services

Bio
Laurissa joined Davidson Day School as the Director of Learning Services in January of 2021. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education and Master of Professional Studies in Reading and Writing from Manhattanville College. She also holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Long Island University and is a certified K-12 reading specialist. Laurissa was a classroom teacher in first, third, and fourth grades and has been in the field of education for over 20 years.
Jennifer Breen

LEC Tutor

Bio
Jennifer’s life passion has been teaching. She has been instructing students of all ages for over 15 years. She started teaching at Our Lady Queen of Angels Elementary School in New York City and then moved to the Yonkers Public School System for 10+ years, with extensive time spent in one-on-one and small group instruction. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University in Education with a concentration in Speech and Hearing. Her approach is a child’s success begins with making them comfortable in their environment. She strives to create a space for students to explore their learning styles and then help develop and guide their absorption of the material.

Jennifer moved to North Carolina in 2021 after being a lifelong Yonkers, New York resident. She raised two children with her late husband, Dermot, a retired NYPD detective and 9/11 first responder.
Kortney Chinn

LEC Tutor

Bio
Kortney earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Catawba College. Before coming to Davidson Day, Kortney taught at Central Cabarrus High School where she helped start the county’s first STEM program in 2012, serving as the lead science teacher for the first two years of the program. After that, Kortney transitioned to Hough High School where she taught AP Environmental and AP Research for the last 7 years. She also served as Hough’s Girls Lacrosse coach and Sources of Strength director. Kortney enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and traveling with her husband and daughter.
Anne McGraw

Learning and Enrichment Center Tutor

Bio
Anne earned her Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and her Masters degree in Graphic Design from the University of Baltimore. She comes from a family of educators and has been working in an independent school setting for nearly 20 years. Before coming to Davidson Day, Anne taught at Calvert School in Baltimore, MD in grades K-8. Anne has an extensive background in early education, executive functioning support, and curriculum management. She specializes in developing meaningful relationships with students and parents while creating a comfortable and supportive environment for optimal learning.
Caryn Shelton

Learning and Enrichment Center Tutor

Bio
Caryn earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, TN. She later earned a Masters in Elementary Education from Gardner Webb University. Caryn has a background in teaching elementary school and leading a preschool program. At Davidson Day, she works with Middle and Lower School students in all subject areas.
Michael Sutton

Learning and Enrichment Center Tutor

704-237-5200

Bio
Mike has been tutoring at Davidson Day School for more than ten years. He has taught math and statistics in many settings including four and two year colleges and at the secondary level in public and private schools. His tutoring experience includes volunteer tutoring in programs focused on helping minority students complete high school and go on to college; his first tutoring experience was with Upward Bound Program when he was a college student in 1971; the program is still around! He is also a six year U.S. Navy veteran who received mathematics and physics instruction as part of the U.S. Navy's nuclear power program, He has a B.S., M.S, and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Susan Schock

LEC Tutor

Bio
Susan earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, and a Master's Degree in Cross-Categorical/Inclusive Education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before coming to Davidson Day, Susan was a Special Education teacher at Kettle Moraine Middle School in Dousman, Wisconsin, where she developed and taught a self-contained Math curriculum for struggling learners. Each year, the program consistently showed a minimum of 1-2 years of individual academic growth for each student. Susan and her husband, who have 2 college-aged daughters, recently relocated to North Carolina from Wisconsin and are enjoying exploring the area and adjusting to life as "empty nesters."
Nicole Yudin

LEC Tutor

Bio
Nicole earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida and her Master’s degree in Math Education from Rutgers University. Before coming to Davidson Day, Nicole started her career as an environmental engineering consultant and then transitioned into education. She taught in West Windsor-Plainsboro schools in New Jersey followed by a move to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Her focus was middle school mathematics, including Algebra I and Geometry. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys playing tennis, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Rebecca Miller

LEC Tutor

Bio
Rebecca loves her pediatric practice in Speech/Language Pathology. She has been in practice for 38 years, the last 20 focusing entirely on pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of settings, in both individual and small group sessions. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech/Language Pathology from Marshall University, a Masters in Speech/Language Pathology at Appalachian State University, and additional field specific instruction through fellowships and internships at West Virginia University, Charleston Area Medical Center, and Watauga Medical Center. She believes success with children begins with making them comfortable first, encouraging progress over perfection, and creating a supportive environment for growth.
Rebecca enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.
Katie Richards

LEC Tutor

Bio
Katie holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine. Her doctoral work focused on helping families with children diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorders implement effective treatment strategies at home. She is passionate about equipping, educating, and empowering families to help their children thrive in their family, school and community.

Katie has experience in pediatric outpatient, private practice, and school settings, and holds certifications in DIRFloortime, Astronaut Training, Quickshifts, Reflex Integration, and Sensory Integration therapies. At Davidson Day, she provides both one-on-one sessions and group sessions focused on social skills development.

Katie enjoys chocolate chip cookies, vanilla lattes, live music and cheering for the Clemson Tigers.
Daniel Fatjo

LEC Tutor

Bio
Dani has been instructing students of all ages for almost 20 years in numerous professional settings. After earning his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Costa Rica, he spent over a decade as a partner at epl, where he helped manage Costa Rica’s first educational consulting firm and taught math and sciences to students with a variety of learning styles. Dani has an extensive background in social and emotional learning (SEL); curriculum development; standardized test prep; and the college application process. He specializes in developing meaningful relationships with students and parents while making learning accessible, relevant, and fun. He loves teaching students in the areas of Science, Math and Spanish. Dani moved from his home country of Costa Rica to Mooresville, North Carolina, in 2017 with his California-native wife. He is now a father to two rambunctious sons, who teach him something new every day.
Sandy Hoffmann

LEC Tutor

Bio
Sandy earned her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree in College Student Personnel Administration, both from Illinois State University in Normal, IL.

Sandy started her career as a preschool teacher at Chesterbrook Academy in Bloomington, IL. Her favorite part of working there was watching the students' faces light up when they gained insight into a concept they could not grasp. Most recently, Sandy taught adult learners life and college transition skills at Heartland Community in Normal, IL. Sandy is very passionate about lifelong learning and education. She enjoys helping students to achieve their successes and goals.

Sandy enjoys traveling with her husband, boating, walking, hiking and playing with her two dogs.
Laura Wansley

Upper School Science Teacher

Bio
Laura earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and French from Wofford College and a Master’s of Arts in Education from Wake Forest University. She is currently a part time Upper School Science teacher at Davidson Day School, teaching Biology and AP Environmental Science. Prior to working at Davidson Day, Laura was a French teacher at Glenn High School in Kernersville and then at Cannon School in Concord, where she also coached cross country. Laura enjoys spending free time with family, playing tennis, walking her two golden retrievers, and baking.