Testimonials
Check out what real clients have to say!
Doren is a fierce advocate for students and their families. In addition to her knowledgeable expertise in the field of education, she is dedicated, highly communicative, and organized.
Fierce Advocate
Mel Nichols, (Tutor Services Manager at Tutor Corps)
My daughter Grace was experiencing issues with her middle school including scheduling, teacher behavior, and course comprehension. Doren Damico provided an open dialogue between the school administrators and teachers, while providing positive support for me and Grace. She accompanied me to meetings and helped plan a cohesive strategy focusing on Grace's educational needs. Her experience provided simple solutions and she was able to facilitate a progressive plan that included resources that I was not aware existed to ensure Grace's success. Grace's grades have improved, she's in the classes she desires, and most importantly she feels that people care. Not only has her relationship with her teachers improved, she and I have never been closer. I recommend Doren to anyone who wishes to make learning a wonderful experience.
Middle School Collaboration
Judy Foster, Parent of 1 Adult and 2 teenagers
We originally heard of Doren’s work from a non-profit organization and were impressed by her level of knowledge and the intuition she had when it came to children. During the 12 months she worked with our son, we saw him make great strides in learning and how to not only cope with the vast amount of information that he was taking in at in school, but how to understand the concepts behind everything.
What we loved most about Doren is that she took the time to evaluate our son and create a customized program that was very specific for his needs. She’s definitely one of those unique individuals who’s experience shines through from the moment you talk with her. Doren's help was priceless, as individuals like her are rare and hard to come by.
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If you’re reading this, then you have a need for your family. I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment when I say call her for an introductory meeting. She can literally change your family's life by providing the help you’re looking for.
Changing Lives!
Heidi, Valencia
About two and a half years ago, my grandson was having problems with his reading. He was unable to focus and all my efforts to help him were failing. I felt helpless because everything I was trying was not working. Not long after, my daughter and I crossed paths with Doren. To my relief, Doren has helped my grandson. She has worked to help him with his math also. As a result, my grandson’s self-confidence continues to develop and he now feels he can learn everything. Our children’s and grandchildren’s education is a very important investment and I’m immensely grateful for Doren. She has made a great difference in my grandson’s education. Thank you!
Improving Focus and Self Confidence
olanda Mejia (grandmother of 4th grader)
Doren and I worked together as elementary school teachers for five years. After perusing her “Keys to Learning”, I was totally amazed by her step-by-step strategy prompts. They promote student independence with visual cues, break down academic tasks into essential steps, and provide instructions for how to teach the use of each key. She was always generous with her ideas and gave me the entire set for my class. I can now refer my students to the Keys for Learning by title, and they are learning to use these simple reminders to complete tasks with quality work. Doren is invaluable at creating student-directed resources!
Promoting Independence
E. F. Lombardo, Elementary School Teacher, 20 years
My son is a high school student with a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD. He has had an IEP since he was very young, and has received speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other direct support services including instruction from a special education teacher in small group settings.... But it became more and more apparent that he struggled with reading comprehension and writing.
While he really enjoyed concrete subjects, such as math and science which provided clear step-by-step instructions for how to solve problems, he did not have the skills needed for reading or writing in a purposeful manner – skills that he would need for higher level math, science, English, college and beyond. His English teachers at his high school tried to offer support, but he was still falling behind. My family was fortunate to be able to begin using Ms. Doren Damico’s services as an educational therapist during my son’s sophomore year. I only had a vague idea of educational therapy – I knew it was more than tutoring but I didn’t really understand how much more until my son began working with Ms. Damico.
Ms. Damico has provided educational therapy with direct coaching two times a week for over two years for my son. She really took her time to identify his interests and work with him to lay the foundation and hone his reading and writing skills.
Ms. Damico provided the layered support that my son needed to be engaged in learning how to read and write effectively.
Ms. Damico has also participated in my son’s IEP meetings and has worked collaboratively with the entire IEP team to support my son’s academic and emotional growth.
Her experience as a classroom teacher and as an educational therapist in a variety of school districts has been apparent as she has worked effectively with my son’s teachers, case managers, counselors, and speech therapists to develop measurable IEP goals and to identify social and emotional aspects that may impact his learning and development as an independent adult.
My son is now a rising senior and has completed his essays for his college applications. I don’t think I realized how much progress he had made with writing composition until I read his college essays. The difference between his written work as a sophomore and as a 12th grader are incredible!
Ms. Damico has given him the tools, strategies, and processes, delivered over time and with great patience, to develop and grow his writing and reading skills.
My son’s writing is now more coherent, focused, and organized. He will continue to develop these skills with Ms. Damico as he finishes high school.
The only thing I regret is that we didn’t start using her services sooner!
While he really enjoyed concrete subjects, such as math and science which provided clear step-by-step instructions for how to solve problems, he did not have the skills needed for reading or writing in a purposeful manner – skills that he would need for higher level math, science, English, college and beyond. His English teachers at his high school tried to offer support, but he was still falling behind. My family was fortunate to be able to begin using Ms. Doren Damico’s services as an educational therapist during my son’s sophomore year. I only had a vague idea of educational therapy – I knew it was more than tutoring but I didn’t really understand how much more until my son began working with Ms. Damico.
Ms. Damico has provided educational therapy with direct coaching two times a week for over two years for my son. She really took her time to identify his interests and work with him to lay the foundation and hone his reading and writing skills.
Ms. Damico provided the layered support that my son needed to be engaged in learning how to read and write effectively.
Ms. Damico has also participated in my son’s IEP meetings and has worked collaboratively with the entire IEP team to support my son’s academic and emotional growth.
Her experience as a classroom teacher and as an educational therapist in a variety of school districts has been apparent as she has worked effectively with my son’s teachers, case managers, counselors, and speech therapists to develop measurable IEP goals and to identify social and emotional aspects that may impact his learning and development as an independent adult.
My son is now a rising senior and has completed his essays for his college applications. I don’t think I realized how much progress he had made with writing composition until I read his college essays. The difference between his written work as a sophomore and as a 12th grader are incredible!
Ms. Damico has given him the tools, strategies, and processes, delivered over time and with great patience, to develop and grow his writing and reading skills.
My son’s writing is now more coherent, focused, and organized. He will continue to develop these skills with Ms. Damico as he finishes high school.
The only thing I regret is that we didn’t start using her services sooner!
Foundations for College Independence
Lourdes Nanato (Mother of a rising Senior)
