Staff
Anna Laboon
After 12 years of experience in teaching and special education, as well as being a mother of two boys with special needs, Anna saw a need in our community to bridge the gap between general education and special services. In 2014, Anna opened Activ8 Learning Center with hopes of becoming an advocate for children who didn't fit into the general education "box". Activ8 has made it's name in the Orange County community as a voice for families and children who need it the most. Her education includes:
- Masters in Reading from the University of San Diego
- Credentialed Teacher
- Trained in Lindamood-Bell Methods
- Certificate of Attendance: Implementing Social Thinking® Concepts And Vocabulary into the Home and School Day
- rained in the Slingerland Method for teaching children with dyslexia
- 15 years teaching experience at lower elementary/middle school levels including GATE programs and Resource Teacher
Tutors
Sarah
Sarah graduated from Cal State University of Fullerton with a Bachelors of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies. She received her multiple subject teaching credential and Masters in Education from Whittier College. Sarah is also currently working towards obtaining her Doctorate of Education in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning. She is very passionate about teaching and learning and has several years of experience with both in person and online learning. She student taught in kindergarten and 5th grade classes and was a fourth and fifth grade teacher in the Alta Loma School District. As a teacher, she has experience attending IEP and 504 meetings and providing educational consulting services. She also has experience writing accommodations and IEP/504 goals. Sarah is eager to work in a one-on-one setting to support students both emotionally and academically.
Mariel
Mariel graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences. She also received her multiple subject teaching credential from Cal State University Long Beach. Mariel has always had a love and passion for working with children and helping them obtain their academic goals. She has experience working with students with behavioral disorders, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for 6 years (mild to severe autism), emotional disturbance, noncompliance, and attention seeking behavior. She worked at Autism Partnership beginning in 2015 until 2020 where she made an outstanding impact on each student that she had the opportunity to work with.
Megan
Megan graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: English, Pastoral Counseling, and Health Sciences. She has additionally taken major level psychology courses from Liberty University and Oxford Summer Courses with past experience assisting in psychological research. She is currently working toward her Master’s degree in Applied Psychology. Her psychological education has given her particular interest and capability to assist with disorders and scenarios that benefit from Executive Functioning skills. Megan is passionate about education, teaching, and the acquisition of knowledge. She especially enjoys helping to refine students' reading and writing skills, particularly adept within the subject of English and the cognitive emotional realm of Executive Functioning.
Kristen
Kristen graduated from Vanguard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a multiple subject teaching credential. Kristen specializes in special education intervention primarily with children needing behavioral modification: autism, sensory processing and reading disorders such as Dyslexia. For the past 15 years, she has worked in NMUSD in Special Education.
Erica
Erica graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Minor in Psychology. Zot Zot Zot! She has several years of experience as a math and science tutor for elementary to high school students. Erica has a strong passion for helping students achieve their academic goals and enjoys being a member of the Activ8 team!
When she’s not tutoring you can find her working at a surgery center, teaching cheerleading routines to youth and high school programs, or catching sunsets at the beach!
Kyle
I graduated from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa with my Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies and my teaching credentials to go into education. I have been teaching at Washington Elementary in Bellflower for the past two years, teaching 2nd grade last year and 4th grade this year. I have worked at the Learning Center since 2019 working with students ages 5-18. I believe that each student’s education journey is specific to them, and being able to help students find how they learn and grow and then succeeding is why I choose to be an educator.
Corrine
Corrine is a licensed educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Vanguard University. With over 10 years of teaching experience, her goal is to create an engaging and effective learning environment for all types of learners. She loves planning creative lessons that make learning both exciting and practical. Outside the classroom, you can find her with her husband and new baby or sewing and creating. She can’t wait to meet you at Activ8!
Tamara
My name is Tamara Johnson and I have over 15+ years of experience in education. I have worked for Laguna Beach Unified School District and Newport Mesa Unified School District in special education and reading intervention.
I have a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a master’s degree from UCI. In addition, I have a Mild/ Moderate Education Specialist Credential from CSULB. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, from UCSB. I enjoy using different strategies to help students learn and I try to make learning as exciting as possible.
I have two boys that keep me very busy, so I spend most of my time with my family, reading or playing tennis.
Lisa
Lisa has a strong foundation in psychology, healthcare, and education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University, and later pursued a second Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with a Public Health Certificate from Mount St. Mary’s University, completing her clinical training at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. She has classroom experience in both public and private elementary and middle schools, adding depth to her educational training.
Lisa has extensive experience working with children with behavioral disorders and is trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), supporting a wide range of needs from mild to severe. As a certified Behavioral Interventionist (BI), she brings compassion, insight, and practical expertise to every child she works with. Her passion lies in understanding the connection between the mind and body and how that relationship influences learning, behavior, and development.
A mother of three boys, Lisa returned to teaching as her children grew older, with a focused interest in reading instruction and the Orton-Gillingham approach. She continues to blend her background in psychology, healthcare, and education to support children in both academic and therapeutic settings.
Bailey
Bailey's Bio is coming soon!