814-933-9305
ABOUT
Mind Quest provides intensive one-on-one programs for cognitive, reading, and math challenges. It all began in 2012 when Susan experienced cognitive therapy first hand with her sons. After completing her training and certification she founded Cognitive Innovations in 2014. Seeking a new name, she rebranded as Mind Quest in 2016.
Susan P Dawson
Director
Susan's passion for working in cognitive therapy came from a very personal place. Three out of her four children have auditory processing issues that inhibited their learning. The frustration felt by her sons was heartbreaking for her as a parent. They worked so hard and saw little results. When she discovered cognitive training everything changed. Not only did her sons' ability to read and learn drastically improve, but their increased confidence and self esteem was remarkable.
Susan was so impressed that she immediately became trained in cognitive therapy and completed her internship with Suzanne Wolfe, Harmonic Progressions, so that she could help other struggling students reach the same results. She also trained directly with Dr. Lynn Serper in The Serper Method™, a program that helps clients with brain illness or injury. Susan works independently as director of Mind Quest, formerly known as Cognitive Innovations. Susan is a licensed and certified cognitive trainer and reading tutor. She has her BA in math from Mary Baldwin College, and also has worked as a retirement planner. She has four children, the oldest is in dental school at Pitt, and the youngest is in elementary school. Her husband Dr. Mike is the owner of Penns Valley Dental Associates.
Education
Harmonic Progressions
PACE & Master The Code (MTC) Internship with Suzanne Wolfe, Director
Learning Rx
Certification and License, PACE & MTC
Brain Enhancement Services, Inc.
Certification and License, The Serper Method™
Mary Baldwin College
BA, Mathematics
Hollie Zimmerman
Reading Specialist
Hollie has always had a strong love for reading. As a child, she preferred reading books over anything else. Book Fairs were usually the highlight of her school year! She loved how opening a cover of a book could take you anywhere in the world, transport you back in history or even take you into the future.
Reading is an essential building block in learning and teaching children to be lifelong learners was Hollie's goal as a former teacher. After receiving her BS in K-12 Special Education from Lock Haven University, she took a position teaching Head Start through Cen-Clear Child Services. During the year she spent working with young children, she learned how important a strong reading foundation can be for the future success of a child. The following year, Hollie was offered a position teaching at Penns Valley School District. She taught Life-Skills Support, Learning Support, Reading, and Autistic Support. While teaching, she earned her Masters in Reading from Edinboro University. She has worked with numerous reading programs and has also had special training in reading through the Central Intermediate Unit 10.
After 9 years of teaching in public school, she left full time teaching to stay home with her newly adopted daughter and to be a resource to her aging father who had moved in with her family because he needed around the clock care. Recently, she has become an independent consultant for Usborne Books and More.
When Susan approached Hollie about working with Mind Quest and starting a summer reading program, Hollie quickly accepted. She is now able to share her love of books and the importance of a strong foundation in reading and building a love for books with parents on a regular basis.
Education
Lock Haven University
BS, K-12 Special Education
Edinboro University
MS, Reading
