Our Team
Anne Cernyar, M.Ed.
Founder and Director
Anne Cernyar is the visionary Founder and Director of Bright Hope Educational Therapy. With a wealth of experience as an Educational Therapist, CERI-Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist, NILD Therapist, and Feuerstein Mediator, Anne is dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for students facing learning challenges. She holds a master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education/Dyslexia, along with a graduate certificate in Educational Therapy, complemented by extensive training in reading, writing, multisensory math, and executive functioning skills.
Having lived and worked across the USA, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa due to her husband’s career, Anne brings a unique, global perspective to her work. Her diverse experiences enrich her understanding and empathy towards the families she supports around the world.
Kit Immel, B.S.
Math Specialist
Kit Immel is a passionate Math Specialist and Reading Coach with over twenty years of experience teaching in public, private, and homeschool settings. With advanced training in multisensory strategies, Kit is devoted to making math accessible and enjoyable for students of all ages. She specializes in helping learners grasp concepts, solve problems, and build confidence through personalized instruction.
Kit employs a tailored approach that incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques, ensuring each learner’s strengths are recognized and harnessed for effective learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Educational Therapist?
An Educational Therapist works with students experiencing learning challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, or executive functioning difficulties. They empower students by developing essential skills, strategies, and confidence needed for academic success. Unlike traditional tutoring, educational therapy merges instruction with cognitive and metacognitive strategies, addressing both the “how “and the “why “of learning. This individualized approach integrates reading, writing, and math remediation with study strategies, memory techniques, and organizational skills, promoting self-advocacy and a positive mindset toward learning.
What is a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist?
A Certified Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist provides focused reading instruction to individuals and small groups of students with complex reading and writing profiles. They have undergone robust supervised practicum experiences aimed at enhancing the literacy skills of students with Specific Learning Disabilities, including dyslexia, catering to all reading levels.
What is a Certified NILD Educational Therapist?
NILD is more than traditional tutoring; it concentrates on root learning issues rather than merely subject matter content. NILD’s programs use academic subjects as vehicles for developing cognition and confidence, helping learners overcome challenges by creating new learning pathways. The goal is to empower every student to become a confident, independent learner prepared for life’s challenges.
What is a Feuerstein Mediator?
The Feuerstein Method focuses on unlocking human potential, guiding individuals to enhance their abilities and skills. By utilizing a process-oriented approach, it identifies and resolves learning challenges through systematic interventions like Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) and cognitive intervention programs (Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment).
What is Multisensory Math?
Multisensory Math engages students through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways, making complex concepts tangible and understandable. This approach is particularly beneficial for homeschool parents, allowing for hands-on exploration using manipulatives, drawings, movement, and real-world applications. By appealing to multiple senses, students can retain information more effectively, developing a profound understanding of math while boosting their confidence and reducing frustration.
What is Dyslexia?
The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as a specific learning disability with a neurobiological origin characterized by challenges in accurate and fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities. These difficulties are often unexpected, given the individual’s cognitive capabilities and effective instruction. Dyslexia can lead to secondary issues, including reading comprehension problems and reduced reading experiences, which can hinder vocabulary and background knowledge growth.
What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a learning challenge that makes writing difficult for children. Those with dysgraphia may struggle with motor skills, impacting their ability to form letters or hold a pencil effectively. They often find it challenging to express themselves through writing.
What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia describes specific learning disabilities that affect a child’s ability to understand, learn, and perform mathematical concepts and operations.