Founder/Lead Coach
(Charlotte)

Lisa Podell has over 20 years of experience as a teacher, educational specialist, certified professional life coach, and public speaker; specializing in helping individuals attain their personal and professional goals. She achieves this by working with students and parents in their homes, facilitating teacher and professional trainings, and presenting at schools, conferences, and workplaces.

Lisa is frequently featured on WCNC's Charlotte Today show as their parenting expert. She has been invited to speak at The Rankin Institute multiple times and facilitated professional developments for the Educational Resource Program at Charlotte Country Day School. She recently presented to parents and faculty at Trinity Episcopal School on the topic of modeling executive functioning skills and has had the pleasure of speaking at colleges, such as her alma mater, New York University. She has contributed to various publications such as Charlotte Parent Magazine, Scoop Charlotte, and Good Magazine, and was featured on Lifetime TV’s Little Women: NY as the resident life coach. She is also co-author of the workbook, Mentoring for School Success; Creating Positive Changes which offers students practical skills to improve their approach to learning.

Learn Better Coach (Charlotte)

Jessica Swiger is an Executive Function Coach with experience in providing academic support and behavioral intervention to children and adults with ADHD, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and a variety of mental health disorders. Jessica has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Appalachian State University and received her Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has extensive experience teaching executive functioning skills to both children and adults who have ADHD, delivering Applied Behavior Analysis, providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a therapeutic role, educational assistance as an academic tutor and long-lasting strategies to enhance workplace performance as a coach to professionals. She specializes in study skills, self-regulation and motivation, goal setting, planning, and time management. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham literacy teaching method. Jessica has a strong determination to assist the clients she works with in reaching their full potential by providing a safe and open learning environment, focusing on their strengths and interests, and collaborating with them to create long-term and meaningful goals.

Learn Better Coach (Charlotte)

Sydney Embler received a Master’s Degree in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Parent and Child/Adolescent Development from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sydney is a Registered Behavior Technician and has over five years of extensive experience coaching children and teens diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, anxiety, and learning disabilities in a variety of settings including in-home, school, clinic, and community. Sydney worked as the Director of Services at Behavioral Health and Wellness Center where she performed ABA therapy (Applied Behavioral Analysis) with children diagnosed with Autism, ranging from ages 3-15, working on academics, communication, daily living, and executive functioning skills. Sydney is also a parent-coach providing behavioral strategies that improve family dynamics and create a healthier home environment. As an academic coach who specializes in working with students diagnosed with ADHD, ages 6-18, her areas of focus include executive functioning skills, reading and writing interventions, organization, emotional regulation, goal-setting, and behavioral support.

Learn Better Coach (Charlotte)

Lindsay Kennedy is a certified teacher with a Master's in Education in teaching, learning, and assessment. She has been a middle school teacher for over ten years specifically teaching 5th through 8th graders. She has taught math, history, and ELA. She has had years of experience working with parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff to implement 504 and Individualized Education Plans. She is a strong student advocate and cares about the well-being of the whole child. She specializes in reading comprehension, essay writing, organization, and executive functioning. She loves working with students to help them realize their full potential. She assists students in goal-setting, organization, and time management. She prides herself on being able to connect with her students and effectively communicate with parents to create an "all hands on deck" approach to support students at home and in school.

Learn Better Coach (Charlotte)

Sarah holds bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Educational Studies from Belmont Abbey College. Additionally, she holds a Graduate Certification in Teaching and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sarah has almost 10 years of experience working with students who have learning differences. She is currently a Special Education teacher for the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system where she supports a wide variety of students, K-12. She has extensive experience working with students who have ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays, Down Syndrome, and behavioral support needs. Sarah has a background in working with IEPS, 504 plans, eligibility determinations, reevaluations, and psychological evaluations. Sarah focuses on utilizing provided data to equip students with individualized support and content customization to meet each student’s individual and specific learning style. Sarah specializes in helping students succeed in executive functioning skills, study skills, test-taking strategies, time management, self-confidence, and goal setting. Sarah is trained in the Orton-Gillingham literacy teaching method. She also has 7+ years of experience tutoring students, grades K-12 in the following subjects: ELA and Social Studies up to 12th-grade content, Science up to 10th-grade content, and Math up to 9th-grade content. Sarah creates a safe and interactive learning environment that fosters open communication, growth, and a positive coaching relationship.

Learn Better Coach (Virtual)

Chad Beveridge is a current doctoral student earning his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. He has over five years of experience teaching high school English and running an arts-based youth development program in Charlotte. Chad has extensive experience with literacy strategies, cross-curricular approaches, and teaching executive functioning skills. He has worked as both a college admissions representative and an academic advisor. Chad has spent time teaching English abroad in South Korea as well as serving his country as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa. He is passionate about meeting students and adult clients where they are, empowering them to access their strengths, develop their weaknesses, then take the next step towards a future of possibilities.