TESTIMONIALS
I have had the pleasure of knowing Lainie Donnell, personally and professionally, for almost 20 years. Her dedication to her work and her compassion for her students, combined with her knowledge in the field of learning disabilities, make her an extraordinary resource for parents, teachers, and children.
–Elizabeth Lutsky, M.A., BCET, Colleague
Lainie was instrumental in assisting our daughter with her college applications. The time and energy she took to get to know our daughter and then direct her based on our daughter's desires were extraordinary!! Lainie helped a chaotic, stressful process be the complete opposite...Lainie provided the support, structure, and knowledge our daughter needed in narrowing down her applications and completing them! So far our daughter is batting 1000 in Yeses from the schools she applied to! Cannot recommend her enough!
-Shannon B., Parent
In addition to having a wide range of knowledge in the area of learning disabilities, Lainie has a patient and intuitive style, which worked beautifully with our daughter. Lainie Donnell has a great deal of clarity, patience, and dedication that she brings to developing positive relationships with her students. She helped my daughter both academically and emotionally to address issues related to her learning differences. Lainie supported Zoe to be more confident and learn to advocate for herself. Lainie has a deep understanding of how children learn and utilize creative ways to meet them where they are. Lainie's talents and professionalism make her a valuable resource for parents and children."
–Pam C., LCSW, Parent
Before beginning the college application process, I expected to feel anxious and unmotivated, but with Lainie’s help this process was made stress-free and actually enjoyable. She not only assisted me in my applications, but she got to know me, encouraged me, taught me writing and organizational skills, and made me feel proud of the work I was able to accomplish with her help!
-Tyler B. Class of 2021
"I wanted to thank you so much for your support. She connected with you and learned so much and felt comfortable with you. You really helped enrich the experience [college applications] and we are forever grateful. Her sister is a sophomore, but we will definitely be reaching out to you when her college application time comes.
–Pam S., Parent
Lainie Donnell is a top-notch special educator who helps her students build self-esteem and develop the academic and life skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. She brings a rich background of professional training and personal experience to her practice and stays up to date with current pedagogical research and innovative teaching methods.
–Kathy Spielman, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, Westmark School
Lainie has been a real lifesaver to our family. She worked with my three children over the last nine years and has provided help to all of them depending on their individual needs. She was able to identify what each child needed to be successful in school despite their challenges and helped them overcome their weaknesses in certain subjects and their fears of failing...The complaining of having to go work with someone after school soon became, "I need to see Lainie because I have a big project coming up or a paper to do." Lainie gave all of them the tools to learn how to break things down so they wouldn't panic...Her guidance and teaching methods have given my boys the confidence to succeed in school and everyday life. She also worked with all three boys on their college applications. Lainie started preparing the boys during the summer for the application process, she helped them organize all the schools they wanted to apply to, scheduled application due dates, assisted with essays, and made sure the boys stayed on top of any requests or follow-ups the boys needed to complete. Her college organization plan was impeccable.
- Stephanie W., Parent
“You are a gift to us and especially to Noah. Not only did he get into the colleges he dreamed of, he got into several others. With the year that we've had, you are the light that my wife and I needed. We are forever grateful for your hard work and the way that you reduced the stress that my wife and I would have had.”
- Ed and Theresa L., Parents
Lainie has deeply impacted me and helped me grow into who I am today and helped me determine my career path by showing me even with learning disabilities, I am capable of achieving anything I strongly desire with the tools that she has taught me. I started seeing Lainie when I was in high school and she helped me with my various learning disabilities. I have learned so much from her and want to continue to share my knowledge from her with other children who are struggling in school. She is so passionate and dedicated to her students and I cannot thank her enough for all she has helped me with.
- Kylie L., Former ET/College Counseling Student
