About LEC
Learning Enhancement Centers traces it roots to 2003, when Christina Carson, a special education teacher specializing in students with learning disabilities, founded the first center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In 2010, she opened the second office in Gainesville. Since then, Learning Enhancement Centers has helped more than 1000 students strengthen their cognitive skills, thereby improving their grades and their confidence—and success in all endeavors.
Learning Specialists
All staff are trained in the programs that are used at
Learning Enhancement Centers. The Learning Specialists
help people of all ages overcome learning challenges
(including dyslexia, ADD, and auditory disorders) by
developing underlying processing skills, processing
speed, and executive function skills. A variety of tools
and techniques are used to target the causes of the
learning difficulty.
Christina Carson
Executive Director
Christina, Carson, is a certified Special Education teacher, specializing in Learning Disabilities since 1993. Christina founded Fredericksburg Learning Enhancement Center in 2003, in order to apply the current research of brain plasticity to struggling students. Since then, she has helped over 600 students improve their grades and confidence. A wife and mother of five, Christina, is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so that more lives may be transformed.
Christy Parthenakis
Director
Christy Parthenakis, is a certified Special Education and Regular Education teacher. She has been a Learning Specialist at Learning Enhancement Centers since 2004. Christy is the Director of the Fredericksburg office. She evaluates new and current students, develops therapy plans, consults with parents, and supervises the Learning Specialists.
Anna Menditto
Director
Anna Menditto, is the Director of Learning Enhancement Center's Springfield office. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University specializing in Speech Therapy and Auditory Processing. She has been with the Learning Enhancement Centers since fall of 2010. Anna likes working with students with learning challenges, finding the root of the problem, and giving them the tools to be successful. She evaluates new and current students for our Springfield office.
Krystal Holt
Krystal Holt is the Office Manager for Learning Enhancement Centers. She graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography in 2008. She has been with Learning Enhancement Centers since the fall of 2009. In her spare time, Krystal enjoys reading and playing volleyball.
Beth Yager
Beth Yager has worked at Learning Enhancement Centers since 2005. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech and has worked as a special education teacher and a GED instructor.
Elizabeth Lightner
Liz began working at LEC in 2010. Prior to this she worked as an assistant teacher within the public as well as non-profit sectors. She attended James Madison University and when she is not at LEC she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and learning new things.
Elissa Bennett
Elissa has worked at Learning Enhancement Centers since October 2009. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in German from Mary Washington College. Her favorite part of working at LEC is watching children become more successful and confident with their learning. Elissa enjoys working with children of all ages, exercising, going to the beach, and spending time with her daughter.
Dawn Clowes
Dawn graduated from SUNY, College at Cortland, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1977. After 8 years in the Navy as a management Analyst, she started her teaching career at the Kindergarten level. Shortly afterward, she began 20 years of home schooling her four daughters. She has taught many classes over the years, including 6 years of middle school math in a private school. She has been with the Learning Enhancement Center since January 2011. She loves working with students and watching them gain confidence in their abilities. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, talking with her daughters who have left the nest, and visiting with her two grandsons!
Abby Johnson
Abby Johnson is a Learning Enhancement Center Clinician. She holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Longwood University. Abby is a former special education teacher. She is active in her church and enjoys serving in the preschool environment every Sunday. Abby enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
Kristen Colvin
Kristen began working at LEC in 2011. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Albright College. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree and teaching license in Mathematics and Secondary Education. She lives with her husband and is passionate about rescuing animals. Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, and creating.
Alix Mayer
Alix is a new member of The Marshall School and LEC staff. She is a recent graduate of the University of Mary Washington with a Masters in Elementary Education. She looks forward to getting to know the students and guiding them as they become successful learners. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, learning to cook, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to take her dogs, Molly and Ginny, for long walks.
Mimi Newell
Mimi is a Learning Enhancement Center Clinician. She holds a degree in Art Education from Appalachian State University in Boone North Carolina. Mimi moved to Fredericksburg in August of 2011 and is looking forward to helping students in her new city! When she isn't teaching, Mimi enjoys reading, exercising, cooking and exploring with her fiancé. She is also the art teacher at The Marshall School.
