Academics

Learning Support

The Gosselin Center for Teaching and Learning

Every learner at KUA is an individual, and there is more than one pathway to success. We make it our mission to understand and appreciate who they are, meeting them exactly where they are. Our graduates go on to rewarding college - and selective college - experiences.

Academic Support

Using our educational philosophy, KUA Design, we combine a research-based approach to attention, memory, and motivation with the care of specialized educators, to give students the tools they need to find joy in their learning and success in their studies.

We help unleash each student’s potential is by getting to know them as an individual.
We are dedicated to understanding all facets of a student’s profile – from academic to social – to identify where support is most needed.
We work closely with families, classroom teachers, and a student’s advisor to ensure we have a 360-degree view of a student’s needs and a plan to chart their progress.
We become a trusted partner in our student's academic career and help them identify and develop the skills to become independent and self-sufficient learners.
We scaffold back academic support as students gain greater levels of independence, may even eliminate support entirely if a student is ready.

Our Team

The Learning Center faculty have a combined 130+ years of experience working with students and a variety of professional credentials, degrees, and certificates in:

Reading
Special education and learning differences
Educational leadership
Teaching English language learners

Explore Our Structured Support Programs

The Learning Center provides individualized support built directly into your child’s academic day. Our goal is to meet students where they need it most—whether that is mastering executive functioning skills, receiving direct curriculum instruction in academic disciplines, or building the self-confidence and resilience needed to thrive. We offer flexible options, from intensive one-on-one specialist sessions to small-group tutorials, ensuring every student finds the right fit for their unique learning profile.

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Individualized Learning Tutorial

This program offers intensive, individualized support for students who benefit from the expertise of a credentialed learning specialist. It is designed for learners who need focused academic intervention without the broader executive functioning framework of a Structured Study Tutorial.
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Structured Study Tutorial

Structured Study Tutorial provides individualized, small group support to students with a focus on improving study skills, organization, time management, general academic skills, and self-advocacy.
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English Language Tutorial

Designed for our international students, this tutorial provides dedicated, one-on-one English language support. Whether a student is navigating the basics or refining advanced academic language, this program is tailored to their specific proficiency level.
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Academic Subject Tutorial

The Learning Center contracts with professional tutors who offer one-on-one assistance to students in specific academic subject areas. Scheduling can be tailored in terms of hours per week of service and length of contract.

Additional Student Support

The KUA Writing Center is available for all students who seek help with any stage of the writing process: brainstorming, organization, development, sentence structure, and revision. Peer writing tutors (typically Junior or Senior Students enrolled in Advanced Placement English) staff the Writing Center.

Peer Tutors are available in most subject areas to provide additional support. Peer tutors are students enrolled in advanced level courses, who demonstrate an interest in the subject and a passion helping others navigate our curriculum.

Office Hours are an ideal time for students to gain one-on-one or small group support from their classroom teachers. Available two times per week, office hours encourage self-advocacy and independence in developing learners.

FAQ

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Which program is right for my child?

The Structured Study Tutorial (SST) is the best fit if your child understands the course material but struggles with "the basics of being a student"—like keeping a planner, managing long-term projects, or organizing their backpack, and would benefit from a structured, group study environment.

Individualized Learning Tutorial (ILT) is better if your child has specific learning gaps (like difficulty with reading comprehension or writing mechanics) or would benefit from more intensive, one-on-one intervention from a specialist.
Can my child be enrolled in more than one program?

Absolutely. Many non-native English speakers, for example, pair an English Language Tutorial (ELT) with a Structured Study Tutorial (SST) to build both their language proficiency and their organizational habits simultaneously. We work with families to create a schedule that provides support without overwhelming the student’s academic day.
How do these programs work with my child's existing teachers?

We call it the Center for Teaching and Learning for this very reason. Our teachers and students are both learning best practices and the methods and approaches we use in the Center come from the same philosophy we employ in our classrooms. We also work with advisors and even dorm parents to ensure holistic support across the educational environment.
Is there an additional fee for these services?

There are fees associated with these services.
How do we get started?

If you feel your child would benefit from additional support, the best first step is to reach out to Amanda Lighthiser, Director of the Gosselin Center for Teaching and Learning, to discuss which program aligns best with their current learning profile.

Learning Center Specialists

List of 9 members.

Amanda Lighthiser

Director, Gosselin Center for Teaching and Learning

603 469-2361

Bio
Amanda Lighthiser earned her B.A. in Women’s Studies from the University of Georgia, an M.F.A in Creative Writing from the University of Oregon, and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. Over the past twenty-plus years at both universities and independent schools, Amanda has taught a wide range of classes including Law, Culture, and Difference, various courses in English literature and composition, American Studies, creative writing, business communications, and yoga and mindfulness. For the past six years, as an academic coach and learning specialist, she has loved working with students individually, empowering them to develop their academic confidence and amplify their unique voices and skill sets. She lives on campus with her husband, Mark, two kids, two dogs, and two cats.
Kim Burwick

ELT Instructor

603 469-2069

Bio
Kimberly Burwick was born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. She first began teaching ESL in Prague, Czech Republic in 1997. Since then, she has taught at numerous colleges and universities including University of Connecticut, University of Iceland and Washington State University where she worked with ESL students in the College Assistance Migrant Program. Additionally, she has earned ESL professional development certificates from UNH and Landmark College. Kim is also the author of six collections of poetry, most recently Out Beyond the Land published by Carnegie Mellon University Press (2022). She lives in Meriden, New Hampshire with her husband and teenage son.
Jennifer Diamond

Learning Specialist

603-469-2312

Bio
After graduating from Trinity College (CT) with a degree in Classics, Jen earned a MA in Museum Professions from Seton Hall University (NJ). She began teaching Latin at an independent day school in NJ in 2006 where she also worked with students in Mock Trial, Model UN, and started a new faculty mentoring program. Jen has taught Latin, English, and is excited to be working with students in Structured Study Tutorial. She lives on campus with her husband, Bill, and their two sons.
Julian Dormady

Director of Student Support Services

603-469-2061

Bio
Julian joined the Kimball Union Academy faculty in 2020. He has fourteen years of special education and learning center experience and spent eight years teaching math and history, developing math and executive function curricula, and serving as a grade-level team leader at Carroll, a school for students with language-based learning disabilities in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Julian graduated from Claremont McKenna with a BA in History and Government and Lesley University with an M. Ed in Moderate Disabilities (5-12). His areas of focus include math pedagogy, higher-level academic skill development, and research-based instruction for students with specific learning disabilities.
Ursula Fries-Herfort

Learning Center Teacher, Ceramics Teacher, Taylor Gallery Director

603-469-2136

Bio
Ursula joined KUA in 2007 to head the ceramics program. Since, she has expanded her role to teaching jewelry making in the recently renovated metal studio and SST in The Learning Center. She holds a MA in American Studies, American Literature and Sociology from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany. A native of Munich she moved to Meriden in 1998. Before coming to KUA Ursula was involved at the League of NH Craftsmen studio in Hanover, NH as a teacher’s assistant and mentor, and has been a juried member of “the League” for clay since 2007. When not teaching KUA’s budding ceramicists, Ursula pursues her own work that has been accepted to national juried shows and can be found at local galleries, including the Taylor Gallery at KUA. Ursula has also completed several private commissions. She is passionate about her craft and loves helping students find their voice, both artistically and academically.

Her two sons have graduated from KUA and now pursue their higher education at the University of St. Andrew’s in the UK. Ursula lives in Meriden with her little dog “Rosie”.
Patrick Kelly

Learning Specialist

603 469-2071
Connie Loescher

Learning Specialist

603 469-2064

Bio
Connie joined the Gosselin Teaching and Learning Center in 2015. After completing a BA in Biology at Colby College and an MA in Education from Stanford University, Connie spent the following 12 years teaching biology and coaching various sports at independent schools on both the East and West Coasts. Since arriving at KUA, Connie has become increasingly interested in the science of learning and how to help students who face a variety of obstacles in the classroom. She completed Landmark College’s certificate program in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity with a specialization in Executive Function in 2021. Connie enjoys working with students to help them unlock their potential and be the most successful learners they can be. When not at KUA, Connie lives in Etna, NH with her husband, two kids, and Goldendoodle, Wally.
Bella Parento 20

Learning Center Teacher and Head Coach Girls' Varsity Hockey

603 469-2360

Bio
Bella joined Kimball Union Academy in 2025, returning to a community she knows well as a member of The Hilltop’s Class of 2020. Bella was a student-athlete at the University of Vermont, where she played ice hockey while earning her B.A. in Public Health. She earned her M.A. in Leadership at St. Lawrence University, where she continued competing in ice hockey. In August 2025, Bella completed a certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity through Landmark College.

In addition to serving as Head Coach for both Girls’ Soccer and Girls’ Hockey, Bella brings a student-centered philosophy rooted in growth, resilience, teamwork, and character development. She is committed to guiding students as they build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and cultivate disciplined habits that support lifelong learning.
Tucker Prudden

Learning Specialist

Bio
Tucker joined the Kimball Union faculty in September 2021. He graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2007 with a BA in Public Relations. After a year serving as a Local Development Officer for the English Lacrosse Association, he returned to school, earning an M.Ed in general education from New England College. Tucker began his independent school career at a peer Lakes Region school serving as a learning specialist and teaching in the Social Science department. After a decade of experience in academic support, Tucker now serves as a Learning Specialist at KUA and coaches hockey and lacrosse. He lives in Chellis House with his wife Chloe, who works as a College Advisor and soccer coach, their daughters Mija and Camryn, and the family dog Bruin.