Lexie Burns, MA
Lexie Burns has an MA in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology from the University of London. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and adults in clinical and academic settings. Lexie created NeuroPlay to fill a need for in-home services for busy parents or professionals seeking cognitive or academic support for themselves or their children. As a cognitive coach she is now able to bring an individualized approach to enhancing attention, memory, executive functions, cognitive skills, logic and reasoning. Lexie has a PACE license and is an official provider of Cogmed, and has many years experience working with schools to help navigate supports for children and young adults. She also has extensive experience with Executive Function Coaching.
Gabriel Glickman, Ph.D
Gabriel Glickman provides academic tutoring with a tailored discussion-based approach. He graduated from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in History, and as a member of the National History Honors Society (Phi Alpha Theta). He spent a post-graduate year at the Lawrenceville School, a New England boarding school, where he was introduced to the Harkness Table - a discussion-based learning module. He received his Ph.D. in Middle East and Mediterranean Studies at King's College London under the supervision of historian Efraim Karsh. Gabriel has extensive tutoring experience and has previously held positions teaching writing and reading at the primary school level, ghostwriting the memoirs of a former music manager, and editing for college/graduate students. He can provide one-on-one or group tutoring in history; including AP European/American/World History, essay writing, reading comprehension, and test preparation (e.g., ISEE, SSAT, ACT, SAT).
Jacqueline Duong, MA
Jacqueline Duong has a wealth of experience both working with children as well as studying psychology and education. Since high school, Jacqueline has taught dance at many studios across the South Bay. She has also obtained her B.S. in Psychology with a Minor in Dance at Santa Clara University. Following her graduation, Jacqueline then received her MA in Counseling from Santa Clara University. Furthermore, Jacqueline brings to NeuroPlay experience working as a behaviorist. She has been employed as an ABA therapist for many years. Today, Jacqueline is working toward receiving her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a focus in Child Assessment at the Wright Institute. Jacqueline is thrilled to work as a learning specialist at NeuroPlay Academics. Her services include but are not limited to executive function coaching, emotion-focused social skills training, behavioral planning, and academic support.
Mary Keonoupheth
Mary has been an educator for over 10 years and has worked with primary, secondary, and post-secondary students both in the US and abroad. She focuses on the Orton Gillingham method for reading but has taught a range of other subjects. Mary holds a BA in psychology and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in statistics. When she isn’t studying or teaching, you can find her hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors!
Heather Thomson, MA
Heather Thomson has both an MA in Special Education/Varying Exceptionalities and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership from the University of Kentucky. She has over 25 years of experience working with children and adults in both academic public and private settings as well as clinical settings. Heather has experience working with all grade levels but primarily focused on high school and college level English Literature, Language Arts, Reading Remediation, AP US History, AP World History, and AP Psychology before deciding to work with students exclusively in a one-on-one setting about ten years ago. Heather is also a certified Orton Gillingham Fellow, trained in Linda Mood-Bell and Wilson reading methodologies, and a certified Executive Function and Life Skills Coach. She is skilled in all aspects of varying exceptionalities and neurodivergence. Heather has a vast array of strategies at her disposal to assist students in gaining the tools they need to succeed. During her free time, you can find her entertaining one of her grandchildren, rescued pups, reading, attending a music festival or concert, or at the beach.
Robin Pierce, MA
Robin Pierce holds a CAGS in Reading from MGH-IHP as well as a Masters in Special Education. With over 13 years of experience working with students with a wide range of challenges in private, public, medical, and home settings, Robin has a vast array of specialized tools, techniques, and strategies to help individuals strengthen areas of need and rediscover the feeling of empowerment while learning. With roots reaching back to years of teaching within Landmark School, a private school for students with Language Based Learning Disabilities, specifically dyslexia, attention, and executive functioning, Robin is able to provide systematic, predictable lessons that are success oriented and micro-united, so that even seemingly impossible tasks are not only manageable, but exciting. Robin has training in many modalities including Orton Gillingham, Wilson, and Lindamood-Bell. Robin thoroughly enjoys all facets of language, even as applied to math, and can skillfully guide students through all academic areas impacted by challenges. In addition to pioneering unique comprehension strategies and a progressive writing program, Robin also specialized in the way math performance is influenced by language skills, how executive functioning and language influence our written work, and the ways our areas of struggle can impact the non-academic components of our lives. Robin is not just passionate about education and learning, but also animals and farming. Living in Maine, she has a small farm with chickens, dairy goats, a pack of dogs, five horses, and a large garden. Whether she is outside enjoying the changing seasons in New England or hiding from it’s cold weather by enjoying a good book, Robin looks forward to spreading her passion for life-long learning with all future students.
Becca Bleil, MA
Becca is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. She is passionate about helping children and adolescents alleviate everyday obstacles and has over a decade's worth of experience working with kids and families. At Neuroplay, Becca specializes in providing academic and executive functioning support. She loves helping students with time management, task prioritization, and project planning. Additionally, she is trained in neuropsychological assessment and understands the complex experiences of those living with developmental, learning, or behavioral challenges. She received her B.A. in Psychology and graduated with honors from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She was awarded her M.A. in Psychology from the Wright Institute and will graduate with her Psy.D. in 2025. When she is not studying or working, Becca loves to read, cook, spend time nature, and laugh with her loved ones.
Kevin Curley D.O.
Kevin graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in bioengineering and more recently graduated from medical school at Midwestern University. He is currently doing research at Mayo Clinic in Arizona before he begins his residency training. Dating back to elementary school, Kevin began formally tutoring his peers in an advanced Math Olympiad Club. He has continued tutoring in various subjects with the National Honors Society in high school, Tau Beta Pi engineering honors society in college, and Sigma Sigma Phi osteopathic honors fraternity in medical school. Although much of his past tutoring was focused in math and science, he has many years of experience working with students in middle, high school, and college in all subjects. Kevin has worked with NeuroPlay Academics the past few years providing content support, test taking skills, executive function coaching, and PSAT/SAT/ACT/HSPT/ISEE help. In his limited spare time Kevin enjoys rock climbing, hiking, travel, board games, cooking, and volleyball.
Kristen Hynes, MS
Kristen has worked in education for 10 years, primarily focusing on grades K-8. She has a background in special education, curriculum development, executive functioning, and multisensory reading. She did Teach for America in New York City, working in the Bronx. She received her BA in elementary and special education from Providence College and her MS in special education in Fordham University. She received her Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant certificate from William Paterson University. Kristen enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with her dogs. She is excited to be working with Neuroplay!
Davita Lesch, M.A.
Davita received her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine. She has over 7 years of experience working with children and adolescents in various clinical and academic settings. Davita has experience providing academic and executive functioning support in K-12 classroom settings. Additionally, she worked as a registered behavior therapist for 4 years at a pediatric clinic providing behavioral therapy and play therapy to children ages 1-18 with developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and autism. She has experience providing both individual and group counseling services to both high school and community college students. Davita received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA where she is currently working towards obtaining her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. She hopes to continue working with and supporting adolescents and young adults in her career. Davita is thrilled to be a part of Neuroplay and looks forward to supporting children, adolescents, and their families. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat, being outdoors, running, and traveling.
Natalie Curley
Natalie Curley graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in bioengineering and a minor in dance. She is currently in medical school at Midwestern University. Natalie has always had a passion for teaching whether it be dance or academics. She has tutored other students throughout each academic level from tutoring math and french in high school, tutoring with the engineering honor society (Tau Beta Pi) in college, and tutoring with the osteopathic honors fraternity (Sigma Sigma Phi) in medical school. She is happy to continue tutoring through NeuroPlay Academics in a variety of subjects with an emphasis on the maths and sciences, as well as all test prep.
Mrs. Porter has been an educator for almost 40 years. She was born in southern California and raised in Washington State near Seattle. She studied Performing Arts and Education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington with emphasis in early childhood education through 3rd grade. Mrs. Porter has 15 years of experience utilizing the Barton, Orton-Gillingham and Linda Mood-Bell methods to help struggling readers strengthen their literacy skills. She enjoys helping her students build confidence and ignite their own passion for learning in multiple subject areas, especially reading, math and science! In her free time, she enjoys being secretary for the Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society, quilt making, reading, camping, gardening, and cooking with her family.
What students are saying...
"I like how Mrs. Porter helps me to read about lots of cool things."
"I like Mrs. Porter because she likes bugs and rocks and nature."
"I like Mrs. Porter because she cares for us."
Jennifer Quinn
Ms. Quinn’s work as an Independent Educational Consultant has evolved over the last 15 years. She began as the owner of a tutoring center where a majority of the students serviced had learning differences. Using a student-centered approach, she develops a personalized profile and plan while considering any learning challenges. Once in college, students may elect to continue with academic coaching to manage the elevated curricular model, facilitate executive function or, in some cases, assist with transfer applications.
As a full-time college counselor, Ms. Quinn assists students and their families in career and major exploration, college search, applications, essays, and finances. Each student is unique, and there is no single path to selecting and applying to colleges. She believes it is important for each student to find the institution that is their best academic, social, and financial fit. For learning disabled and neurodiverse students, Ms. Quinn uses firsthand knowledge of college disability services to accommodate each student’s needs.
Prior to working in education, Ms. Quinn lived and worked in New York City, where she held several senior-level positions in the financial industry. She has a wealth of experience that compliments the broad range of personalized services and discovery tools used in her practice.
Ms. Quinn has a BA in English from Hofstra University and a College Counseling Certificate from Rice University (https://glasscock.rice.edu/college-access-counseling-certificate). She is also a member of the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (https://www.pnacac.org/) (PNACAC) and an associate member of Independent Educational Consultants Association (https://www.iecaonline.com/quick-links/parents-students/) (IECA)
Ms. Quinn is an avid reader and loves spending time enjoying the outdoors with her family and Great Pyrenees dogs.