LEARNING LABS
Learning Labs provide a safe, positive and supportive environment where students who are missing foundational skills can join a small group of their peers and practice skills with the guidance of a highly-qualified academic coach.
- Learning Labs are designed to be engaging and intentionally use strategies to increase students’ growth mindset and build academic confidence.
- Students meet with their coach via Zoom for 1 hour a week for a period of at least 10 weeks.
- Each session will target a specific ELA or math skill. Some will also provide an opportunity for students to practice their individual skills on their iReady personalized pathway
- Labs are conducted by highly qualified, experienced and trained Lab coaches
- Students are nominated for participation by their Teacher of Record.
- Student progress is monitored and shared with their Teacher of Record and families weekly. At the end of each semester, a progress report is provided.
Elisabeth Thompson
Hello! I am a credentialed teacher with a Master’s Degree in Education. I taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade before landing at Elite! I also have experience teaching Special Education. My passion is inspiring students to realize their potential is limitless! I also specialize in helping students improve their reading and writing skills. I live in Los Angeles with my dog Stella, who is 10 years old!
Tancy Aldridge
Tancy’s passion for education began while tutoring math in high school, and continued to do so throughout college. Seeing students have the “lightbulb” moment with a burst of confidence after accomplishing a difficult task is what made her decide to pursue education. She taught high school math at her alma mater high school before making the switch to team #BeElite. Her favorite thing to do is help students recognize math happening in their everyday lives!
Dianna Singas
My name is Dianna Singas and I am an elementary math coach. I graduated from California State University San Marcos with a Liberal Studies degree with an emphasis in math. I am starting my 6th year at Elite and I couldn’t be more excited to work with our students. I am passionate about connecting with students, hearing their stories, building confidence and helping students reach their full potential!
Erin Burhans
Hello, my name is Erin Burhans, and I am excited to be part of the Learning Labs team here at Elite! My career in education began over twenty years ago when I became an elementary school teacher for the Vista Unified School District. During my time as a public school educator, I earned my master’s degree in education. However, once my children were born, I became a homeschooling parent. Today, both of my sons have graduated from college and are well on their way to successfully pursuing graduate degrees. In addition to teaching my own children, I have maintained my teaching credential, was certified in TESL/TEFL instruction, taught enrichment courses at local charter schools, worked as a reading intervention instructor, tutored at Palomar College in their ESL department, and tutored both English language arts and math for kindergarteners through high schoolers here at Elite.
My greatest joys in education are witnessing a child accomplish something that was previously considered “impossible” and helping students find their own love of learning. I hold a strong belief that education should be a lifelong pursuit, and there is not only one path to success. If something isn’t working, it should be changed. This personalized flexibility is the beauty of our school!
Judalon Manes
Mrs. Judalon Manes has served at Elite since its inception, beginning as a Teacher of Record and serving now as an ELA academic coach. She holds a teaching credential in Social Sciences and has taught for over thirty years, an indication of how much she loves the profession and her students. Her interests include reading, art, music, hiking and community service. She is an author and serves as Director of Education for the Palm Springs Writers Guild. Mrs.Manes and her husband share a blended family of seven children and five grandchildren.