Counselor services: 

• Silber Psychological Services -- www.silbersolutions.com 
• Dr. Carrie Dittner, PhD   Pediatric, Developmental and Clinical Psychology -- www.drdittner.com 
• Dr. Kimberly Williams 784-0205
• Dr. Susan Orenstein, PhD   Licensed Psychologist -- www.orensteinsolutions.com
• Project Enlightment -- www.projectenlightment.wcpss.net

Reference Resources:

•  Bully Proofing for 4-8 Year Olds by Karen DeBoard, Ph.D. & Stephanie Moore    http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/Bully guide.pdf  
•  Heartwood's Anti-Bulling Policy available in Parent Handbook 

Occupational Therapists:

Dawn Soloman, Shining Star Therapy   www.shiningstarstherapy.com

Dawn Rohlik, Pediatric Possibilities       www.pediatricpossibilities.com

Onsite Tutor services:

Tamara Hoxie is an on-site reading specialist.  She tutors students individually, specializing in the child who is experiencing difficulty learning to read, write and spell in a traditional or group setting. 

She uses a combination of methods, primarily Lindamood-Bell to introduce all the phonetic sounds of the English language through the physical sensations of the oral production.  Combining consonants and all vowel sounds, students build words while adding sight words and visualization

of letters to their repertoire.   This is an intensive remediation program that builds a solid foundation for language arts.   Most students will see a gain of 2-3 grade levels in reading after 18-24 months of hard work.

Heartwood Montessori has been Mrs. Hoxie's base location for the past 2 school years.  This setting works well for the students to be able to come out of their classes for a 45 minute lesson three times a week and then integrate back into the classroom.  She also works with public and home schooled children as well as other traditional private and Christian schools in Wake County.  She has taught in all settings from traditional high school to public and private elementary and home school for the past 25 years,

Tamara's passion for reading comes from personal experience dealing with a son with severe language issues.  This translated into severe reading problems.  This son was deemed too learning challenged to be accepted in a school for special needs.  She taught him herself at home after a fruitless search for a special program or school.

  Her quest for answers to teaching him led her to change directions from a physical education/health teacher to  a reading specialist.  It led her to assess the fundamental issue of reading, Can all children learn to read?  If so, what methods would be most optimal for the child who has special needs or who learns differently?  Why are there such differences in children and has God designed this unique situation for a special purpose?    Her faith and her passion have led her to some of the tools she now uses to unlock the mystery of words.

Tamara and her husband Larry are the parents of 4 sons, aged 15- 23. Her dogged determination to educate her challenged son have made a difference in his life as he now attends a private school as a sophomore.  The journey has been one of great struggle, yet great rewards also.  She enjoys the wonder of teaching a child who learns differently bringing hope into lives for both parents and children.