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A Team of Educational Therapists & Specialists
Our exceptional clinicians, equipped with advanced degrees and credentials, approach teaching through the lens of educational therapy. With extensive experience, our educational therapists and specialists work with students facing a range of learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, giftedness, twice-exceptionality, executive functioning challenges, and more. Learn more about Educational Therapy.
Collaboration & Commitment to Professional Development
Our team of lifelong learners is dedicated to continuous growth and professional development. Our Clinicians regularly engage in collaboration and thought partnerships, drawing from each other’s expertise and unique experiences. Additionally, they participate in both team-based and individualized professional development to deepen their understanding of all aspects of learning.
Finding a Clinician Match for Your Child
The first step in working with a clinician at Strategies for Learning is a Family Intake appointment. After this initial meeting, we carefully assess the student’s needs and recommend a clinician from our talented team of specialists and educational therapists. Our goal is to match your child with a clinician whose training and experience align best with their academic needs, temperament, and learning style. Learn more about the Intake Appointment.
Phyllis Koppelman
Founder and CEO
Phyllis holds her Master’s in Education from U.C. Berkeley and is a Board Certified Educational Therapist. Along with 30+ years in the classroom, Phyllis started as a sole practitioner until 2002, when she founded Strategies for Learning. She has trained teachers, developed curriculum, and spoken at seminars throughout California. Phyllis continues her passionate work in educational therapy while spending as much time as possible with her family.
BJ McIntyre
Director of Education
BJ has a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and is currently pursuing a Post-Graduate Educational Therapy Certification Program. BJ has worked in education and youth development for over a decade and has taught a variety of classes, from ELA and Social Studies to courses on Executive Functioning, Social Emotional Learning and Financial Literacy. BJ also has experience planning curricula for teachers on topics of executive function, including supporting students with learning and/or motivational difficulties.
Jay Koppelman
CFO
Jay Koppelman serves Strategies for Learning as its Chief Financial Officer. He comes to us following his retirement from a career in real estate investment and finance. He has been married to Phyllis Koppelman, founder and CEO of Strategies for Learning, for over 50 years. As someone who believes that education is of paramount importance, he has taken on this role with determined enthusiasm. Besides his work with SfL, he’s a volunteer member of the Board of Trustees of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School where he is a past president, chairs its Governance Committee and is a member of its Executive and Finance Committees.
Christine Zhang
Operations & Outreach Manager
Christine graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in the History of Art. She has experience working for several new/start-up businesses and welcomes any opportunity for creative problem-solving and strategic business development. She also utilizes her experience and passion in student support services and graphic design to develop dynamic resources for the growing SfL community.
Stephanie Broytman
Clinician
Stephanie holds a Master of Arts in Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education from Fredonia State. She is an ALTA Certified Academic Language Therapist and certified special educator with nearly 20 years of classroom experience, in addition to the past several years she has spent finding new ways to engage students in virtual sessions across many subjects. Read More
Maleek Mitchell
Clinician
Maleek earned his MA and an M.S. in Education with a focus on Inclusion from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN. Maleek has worked with elementary, middle, high, and adult education learners for more than 15 years. Maleek firmly believes that every student has the ability to learn. He has a passion for providing struggling students the support, strategies, and encouragement necessary to experience academic success. Read More
Christine Strena
Clinician
Christine holds a M.A. in Education from CSU East Bay, a post-graduate certification as an Educational Therapist through U.C. Riverside, and has earned her Professional designation for the Association of Educational Therapists. She is trained in multiple Orton-Gillingham-based reading strategies, is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. Read More
Kimberly Schaefer Moorehead
Clinician
Kim holds a Masters of Education in Exceptional Student Education with a concentration in Educational Therapy from Southeastern University, as well as a Masters Degree in Counseling from Sam Houston State University. She is a Professionally Certified Educational Therapist (PCET) through the National Institute of Learning Development (NILD).
Larry Butac
Clincian
Larry Butac holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of the Pacific. He has over a decade of teaching experience in various capacities working with students of multitudinous backgrounds. Larry has a background in structured literacy instruction (SIPPS) and is especially passionate about math instruction and has a strong working knowledge of a variety of effective math curriculums.
Michelle Kim Palasek
Clinician
Michelle graduated from San Francisco State University and earned her Multiple Subject teaching credential. She is over a decade of experience in Oakland public schools. As a Reading Interventionist, she developed expertise in supporting emerging readers, using strategies such as systematic phonics instruction, phonological awareness, progress monitoring, goal setting, and assessment to provide the best outcomes for each student.
Rita Meagher
Clincian
Rita Meagher holds a Master’s of Education degree with an emphasis in Special Education from Holy Names University, along with a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a California Special Education Credential. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with an Emphasis on Child Development from Santa Clara University. She is also certified in evidence-based reading remediation programs.
Tracy Young
Clincian
Tracy Young holds a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College, a Master of Business Administration from Boston University, and is a certified Academic Language Therapist. ALTA Certified Academic Language Therapists provide diagnostic, explicit, systematic Multisensory Structured Literacy intervention which builds a high degree of accuracy, knowledge, and independence for students with written-language disorders, including dyslexia.
Alessandra Faggionato
Clinician
Alessandra holds a Master’s degree in Educational and Interdisciplinary studies in Language Culture and Education from Western Illinois University, a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a TESOL Certificate. She works as a Special Education lead teacher and literacy specialist with her extensive background in Orton-Gillingham.
Vanessa Fontana-Berul
Clinician
Vanessa holds a Masters in Education, as well as an Elementary Montessori credential. Her background in supporting dual-language learners has given her a unique perspective to supporting students. She has over 20 years experience working with intervention specialists, creating learning plans that meet the needs of individual children.
Blanca Kramer
Clinician
Blanca holds a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley, a Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Mild to Moderate disabilities from Cal State East Bay, and a post-graduate certificate in Educational Therapy from Holy Names University.
Julia Baker
Clinician
Julia Baker holds an Ed.D. in Reading and Literacy from Capella University, holds an MS in Literacy Studies from Lehman College, and holds an M.S. in Multicultural Education at College of Mount Saint Vincent. For the past 20 years, she has taught Language Arts and Social Studies as a special education teacher in both New York and Georgia.
Susan Ardila
Clinician
Susan holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, with a focus on Math Education K-12, from The University of Texas and is currently pursuing a Post-Graduate Educational Therapy Certification Program. She brings a wealth of knowledge in math instruction and executive functioning support.
Pamela Mnyandu
Clinician
Pamela is a National Board Certified Special Educator and holds her Educational Therapy Certification. Pamela brings her rich background in Special Education and her training as an Educational Therapist when supporting students. For the last two decades, she has worked as a classroom teacher, a Special Educator, and a Special Day Class Instructor from grades 3rd to 12th.
Jessica Ghassemi
Clinician
Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s degree in History, as well as Secondary Education from Hofstra University. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist through ALTA and a special education teacher with almost 20 years of teaching experience.
Susan Spurlock
Clinician
Susan Spurlock brings a rich background of multifaceted experience with children to her work with SfL. As a classroom teacher, drama instructor, music specialist, and camp instructor working with children of all ages she has gained many skills over her 35 years in education. An understanding of students’ social-emotional and motivational needs informs her techniques in teaching.
John Loomis
Clinician
John earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics Education from The Ohio State University as and his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. John has over 40 years of experience with math instruction, ranging from lower elementary to college-level.