Community Learning Academy

Mission Statement

The Community Learning Academy provides affordable, risk free, supplemental and enrichment tutoring services to all school age students. Each child learns in his or her own way, therefore each program is individually designed for each child. The Center Director works cooperatively with the family and the school system to provide a full educational opportunity for each child. It takes a community to raise a child and the Community Learning Academy plans to be an active part of that community.

The Director's Philosophy

My philosophy on teaching is to teach children in their own way. To allow this to happen, one must tap into a child's individual learning style. To create a student-centered classroom, one needs to put the child in the driver seat. Children discover their own learning styles by freely following their curious urges, by uncovering the meaning of the natural world around them, and by discovering new things. It is through this process that students will cultivate a love of learning.

I have learned that teaching children in their own way isn't achieved by one person alone, bur rather through a whole support system consisting of the community, parents, teaching staff, friends, students and the natural world around us. I bring these opportunities and experiences to children to help them discover more about the world around them, and to help them become better prepared as citizens in the community.

In the past few years I have had many experiences to meet students and observe their individual learning styles. Every child that has crossed my path has been an individual. No two people, anywhere in the world, know the exact same information nor learned that information in the same way. As a tutor, a relationship can be built that will harness how each child learns and help that individual child to succeed at their own pace and in their own way.

I have seen this philosophy put into action on a daily basis and it works! This has been my philosophy since I started my educational career in college and I have added to and adapted it throughout my career as a professional educator.
-Veronica Thomen, Director of the Community Learning Academy.

The Director's Credentials

Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education	Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT
Elementary Certification	Connecticut Department of Education
Middle School Certification Classes	St. Joseph's College West Hartford, CT
Teaching Experience
Director of Education Grades pre-K to 12	Sylvan Learning Center Wallingford, CT
Substitute Teacher	Middle School of Plainville Plainville, CT Colchester School System
Student Teaching	Colchester Intermediate School Colchester, CT