Kimberly Berens, Ph.D. is the President, Educational Director and co-founder of Center for Advanced Learning. Dr. Berens has over 10 years of experience in learning science, instruction, curriculum design, classroom management, and teacher training. Her Tool Skill Fluency programs and Prototype-Construction writing classes consistently produce an average of two years growth in 40 hours of instruction. As a result of such robust outcomes, she provides on-going consultation and teacher-training services to resource teachers in the Washoe County School District. Dr. Berens is also an experienced researcher who has published and presented extensively on science-based approaches to education and learning. Dr. Berens is a regular contributing columnist for the Washoe County Schools Family magazine where she offers on-going advice to parents about improving their children's education. She has served as a part-time faculty member at Truckee Meadows Community College, and she currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Psychology Department at UNR where she received her doctoral degree in Psychology with a specialization in behavior analysis and learning science.
Nicholas Berens, M.A. is the Director of Secondary Education Programs, Vice-President, and co-founder of Center for Advanced Learning, Inc. Mr. Berens has published and presented extensively on methods of science, producing positive educational outcomes, and applying the products of learning and psychological science to the real world. He has extensive experience in learning science and instruction, with an emphasis on adolescent psychology and improving the academic performance of students in secondary schools. Mr. Berens received his Master's degree in psychology from UNR, where he is currently completing his doctoral degree.
Kendra Rickard, M.A. is the Assistant Director of the Center for Advanced Learning, Inc. Ms. Rickard has over seven years of experience in learning science and instruction and has contributed to the growth and development of the center since 2002. During her time at CAL, she has served as a Case Advisor and Assistant Director, where she has assisted Dr. Berens in the development of the basic and advanced Prototype-Construction writing classes and developed the Advanced Genre Writing series. She also has extensive experience in teaching special populations, including children with dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, Asperger's syndrome, autism and other developmental disorders. Ms. Rickard is a regular contributor to scientific and professional communities on learning science and evidence-based instruction, and she has given numerous presentations on science-based approaches to education. Currently, she serves as a part-time faculty at Truckee Meadows Community College. Ms. Rickard received her Masters Degree in psychology at UNR, where she is currently completing her doctoral degree.