Jennifer Merkel
Jennifer P. Merkel is a Dyslexia and Executive Function Specialist with over 15 years of experience in both classroom and clinical settings. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations such as: Traumatic Brain Injury, Central Auditory Processing, Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, Genetic Chromosomal Deletion Syndromes, Dyslexia, Developmental Delays & Students on the Autism Spectrum.
She has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Central Florida in Speech & Audiology with a clinical internship focus on Central Auditory Processing Disorders and a Master's Degree In Exceptional Education (K-12) from U.C.F with a graduate practicum in Middle School Education with Students with Specific Learning Disabilities.​
She completed her initial Orton-Gillingham training at Arden Reading Clinic in Asheville, N.C. under the Supervision of Dr. Sirkin. She later completed intensive Associate Level Orton- Gillingham training at Accredited Camp Spring Creek in North Carolina with Fellow, Susie van der Vorst. She taught as a summer camp O.G teacher at Camp Spring Creek and has attended multiple Orton- Gillingham Writing workshops with the late O.G writing Guru; William Van Cleave. She has been teaching students with O.G methods for 10 years.
She is a Certified Feuerstein Practitioner in Standard Level ( I, II & III) as well as a Certified Dynamic Cognitive Evaluator in LPAD at both Primary & Secondary levels. She is a member of The North American Feuerstein Alliance (NAFA).
Her parents are from South America and she is fluent in Spanish. She has taught English as a Second Language in rural Argentina.
Stacie Kittman
My son had been through several treatment modalities and never quite excelled. Jennifer Merkel helped us see the whole picture and customize a learning plan/ style by looking at the whole child. I am amazed at his transformation and growth. Changing our focus from meeting learning objectives to engaging in the process of learning. The expertise Jenn offers in FIE and executive function has allowed my son flourish inside and outside of the learning environment. I cannot recommend Meta Minds enough and am so grateful to have found such an amazing resource and advocate for our family.
Andrea Roth Henderson
Jennifer has made such an impact on my son’s development - her passion and dedication has been invaluable to me. I truly appreciate the curriculum foundation and information she provides for the methodology- no one has been able to make such a difference for his independent development and memory. It has made such a difference finding Meta-Minds!
Cristina Jamison
After years of trying and failing to find a professional who could explain why my daughter seems to struggle so much in some areas and do so well in others, I was blessed with a referral to Jennifer. The findings from the dynamic assessment that she administered to my daughter enabled me to understand not only her challenges, but also her strengths. More importantly, it enabled us to formulate a workable plan to help her where past evaluations failed to provide practical insights. In addition, my daughter truly enjoys working with Jennifer and looks forward to her sessions.