About Us

Who We Are

Kindergarten & Beyond Learning Center offers academic programs for elementary students through individualized instruction by certified educators to meet their academic needs in a small group explicit format.

We specialize in creating lessons around IEP and 504 accommodations that will show growth and success in your students. K&B Learning Center uses learning targets and success criteria to assess student learning outcomes from each lesson.

Learning Targets

Learning targets are concrete goals written in student-friendly language that clearly describe what students will learn and be able to do by the end of a class.

Success Criteria

A success criteria is a list of features that a teacher wants the children to include in their work during the course of a lesson. It is a really good way of making children aware of what is expected of them and can also encourage them to extend themselves during the course of the lesson.

Meet The Founders

Ali Kirchberger

Co-Owner/Certified Educator

Ali is a certified elementary school teacher. She brings over 15 years of teaching experience and expertise in the education field to K&B Learning Center. Her most current educational achievements are completing Orton-Gillingham training, being awarded District Finalist Teacher of the Year 2020 and being accepted to begin her certification on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Elementary Education, and is obtaining her sixth year certificate in Teacher Leadership. Ali comes with experience in curriculum writing, rigorous teaching methods, and multiple professional development topics directly related to education.

Fun Fact: Ali was a contestant on Wheel Of Fortune in November 2017. She filmed during Teacher’s Week!

tutoring services for elementary students

Jerrod Kirchberger

Co-Owner/Director

Jerrod brings over 20 years of experience as a director and supervisor in the field of education-like settings. Jerrod has been awarded and recognized as an outstanding staff member in his last positions. He is equipped with CPR/First Aid/AED training and an abundant knowledge of the most up to date safety measures. He is the backbone of K&B Learning Center, handling all business related to scheduling and smooth execution of services.

Fun Fact: Jerrod has just published his first book, and expects to have a children series complete by next year!

Our Team

Wendy Mendicino

CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

Wendy Mendicino has been married for 31 years and has been teaching for even longer! She has two adult sons and lives in Southbury, CT. Wendy spent half of her career teaching in Bucks County, PA, and the second half teaching here in CT. She loves children, dancing, acting, and reading.

Stella Brooks

ASSISTANT EDUCATOR

Stella has been with K&B Learning Center since the Fall of 2021. Stella was born and raised in Woodbury and is currently studying in College. Stella enjoys working with children. She is artistic and has a knack for all things related to Science and Technology!

Lorraine Trudeau

CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

Lorraine is one of our afternoon tutors. Lorraine has been a second grade teacher for many years and enjoys teaching children how to read! She brings exciting energy to Kindergarten & Beyond Learning Center!

Jessica Metz

CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

Jessica Metz is one of our afternoon tutors. She is a high school teacher in one of the neighboring towns. She has been teaching for 19 years. She holds a BS in secondary education with a concentration in Psychology and two Masters degrees in Psychotherapy and in education.  She is a wife, mother of two, and resides in Woodbury.