Our Mission:
Transform the future opportunities of
under-served youth with the science of learning.
Our Guiding Principles
Mission Statement
Our mission is to transform the future opportunities of under-served youth with the science of learning.
Vision
Every student everywhere has access to an effective and efficient education.
Values
Our initiative is founded in science, acted on with integrity, performed with compassion, and dedicated to improving the lives of children.
Our Board
Dr. Newsome earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and his Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. He is a Founding Director of Fit Learning™ where he has developed a growing network of affiliated learning laboratories. Dr. Newsome is currently serving as President of Empower Youth, a non-profit for underserved student populations. His research and service initiatives have focused on educational technologies and organizational behavior across various business sectors including public utilities, universities, school districts, Fortune 100 companies and community service providers. The overarching value guiding Dr. Newsome’s work is contributing to the transformation of human well being through the science of teaching and learning.
Dr. Kendra Newsome earned her PhD in 2010 from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Nevada. She has served as the President for the Nevada Association for Behavior Analysis and Past-President of the Standard Celeration Society. Dr. Newsome is a Founding Director of Fit Learning – a Precision Teaching Learning Laboratory that has served thousands of families since 2004. Dr. Newsome is a regular contributor to scientific and professional communities on learning science and evidence-based instruction. Her published works include investigations into language-based comprehension deficits, Precision Teaching as a tiered intervention for at-risk Kindergartners and the role of measurement in natural science. Dr. Newsome has given numerous invited presentations and lectures on science-based approaches to education and currently serves on the Board of Empower Youth, a non-profit aimed at providing evidence-based instruction to under-served student populations. Her professional actions are guided by the commitment to transform educational practices in the world so that all learners have the capacity to achieve their full potential and greatness.
Board Member – Dr. Ashley Greenwald
Dr. Ashley Greenwald is a Licensed Behavior Analyst and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Greenwald is the Project Director/Principal Investigator of the Nevada Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Technical Assistance Center, located within the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities. In her role, she directs the statewide Multi-tiered Systems of Support project funded through the Nevada Department of Education, oversees the implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports in 10 Nevada school districts and state-run juvenile facilities, and leads direct behavioral support services for children with disabilities and dual diagnoses throughout the state. Dr. Greenwald’s research interests include parent/caregiver training, behavioral medicine, and behavioral systems change. She has received and managed more than $19 million in grant funds to support these efforts.
Executive Director – Staheli Meyer
PhD
Experienced in design, delivery, and supervision of behavior analytic services to a diverse range of client populations. Proven ability to develop curriculum and assess efficacy, with a special emphasis in Relational Frame Theory and Acceptance and Commitment based curriculum design. Recognized for research in the areas of childhood trauma and autism spectrum disorders. Adept at team leadership in both clinical and research settings
Treasurer – Kelly Coleman
Email – Kc74coleman@gmail.com
Kelly A. Coleman has had a long and successful career as a medical aesthetician and a manager of a medical spa. She began her career in 1999 and most recently ran her own business until 2016. She chose to close her business at that time to focus on raising her three young children. Her son was diagnosed with severe ADHD at that time and was enlisted in the Fit Learning program. After seeing his great strides as part of their program, she was inspired to help children less fortunate with similar problems. Along with her husband, Brett Coleman, and Donny and Kendra Newsom, they formed Empower Youth. She is actively engaged in many charitable activities, including forming Nevada’s Masquerade organization that currently benefits the Nevada Military Support Alliance. She also serves as director of the Brett and Kelly Coleman Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on assisting children in need.