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Meet Our Staff
Learning difficulties can significantly affect children and adolescents by creating an environment filled with frustration, anxiety, disappointment and confusion. Our learning services program helps children and adolescents feel happier, be more successful at school and reach their full potential. We also provide services that address the individual needs of all family members and can facilitate dialogue between school staff, parents and other professionals, helping parents advocate for their child’s specific needs within the school environment.
SMART LOVE LEARNING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
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Therapeutic Tutoring: Offers individualized academic support in various core subjects and addresses psychological/emotional aspects that interfere with a student demonstrating her true potential and ability.
SMART LOVE LEARNING SERVICES FOR PARENTS
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Consultation with Teachers, School Administrators and Other Professionals: Provides effective communication among various professionals to ensure a child’s learning needs are being met.
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Parent Guidance: Aims to help parents who want to better understand and respond to the unique needs and strengths of their child and promote positive parent-child interactions and eliminate power struggles.
LEARNING SERVICES FOR FAMILIES
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Individual Counseling
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Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Parenting Coaching or Parent Counseling
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Parenting Seminars
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Smart Love Publications
Learning Services Staff
Kari Terrill, Psy. D.
Director of Assessment and Learning Services
Dr. Kari Terrill is a licensed clinical psychologist with experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, parents, and adults in a variety of settings including community mental health agencies, schools, and outpatient clinics. She has extensive training in conducting neuropsychological and psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, and she is passionate about helping children and young adults receive the necessary support to achieve success in academic settings. Dr. Terrill received her Psy.D. from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
Julia Wright, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
Ms. Julia Wright is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ms. Wright’s 15 years of experience include working with children and families of diverse backgrounds in residential and school settings. Ms. Wright joined Smart Love Family Services in 2015 helping children, adolescents and adults pursue their innate desires for well-being. She also enjoys providing parent guidance counseling, helping parents to better understand their children’s behavior and enjoy their relationships with their children.
Therapeutic Tutors
Jenna Jeon
Therapeutic Tutor
Ms. Jenna Jeon received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Social Science concentration from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has experience with teaching in Chicago Public Schools while handling responsibilities as a Children’s Ministry Director at her local church. She is currently furthering her education by pursuing a Master’s in Instructional Design. Jenna is looking forward to empowering her students by providing guidance, opportunities, and feedback not only with their academic learning experiences, but also to maximize their social/emotional development.
Katherine "Katie" Majko, M.A.
Therapeutic Tutor
Ms. Katie Majko is a nationally certified school psychologist. She received her Masters and Education Specialist degrees from National Louis University. She has experience working with students in public schools and is well versed in supporting students with individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans. Katie has extensive experience in working with students with behavioral and emotional needs. She is excited to be a part of the Smart Love team and continue supporting young people with their educational and social-emotional goals.
Alison Pildner
Therapeutic Tutoring Coordinator
Ms. Alison Pildner received a Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Human Development from the University of Chicago and she has completed all of the academic requirements to become a Child Life Specialist. Alison has experience working with children in a variety of settings, including in the classroom, hospital, home, and community. She enjoys combining her knowledge of child development with her skills as a teacher to help her students achieve their goals.
Victoria Roberts, M.A.T.
Therapeutic Tutor
Ms. Victoria Roberts received her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University. She earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at Relay Graduate School of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana. As an Elementary Teacher in a charter school setting, Victoria gained valuable experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who presented with varying physical and behavioral disorders and academic levels. Victoria recognizes that each student is an individual with their own learning pace and style. In addition to academic progress, she empowers students to build a sense of self-worth and confidence. She is excited to join the Smart Love team!
Haozi (Hebe) Wang
Therapeutic Tutor
Haozi (Hebe) Wang holds a Master's in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a
Bachelor's in Psychology from Boston University. With a wealth of experience, Haozi has
served as a Teaching Fellow in China, contributing to course design and instruction at
Boston University. Fluent in both Chinese and English, Haozi possesses strong
management and teamwork skills, as showcased in her roles as a Teaching Assistant and
Fellow. Her dedication extends to academic research, exploring the impact of time
differences on students' growth during online learning. With a Certificate from the Johns
Hopkins Teaching Academy, Haozi is well-equipped and passionate about empowering
students academically and emotionally.
“Always keep in mind that the goal is not to make a child succeed in any particular subject or on any particular assignment or test, but to encourage a lifelong love of learning and the ability to enjoy and stick with an intellectual challenge.”
-Raising a Successful Student from Birth Through Adolescence, Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D.