Ira Flood is the Managing Director of The Chester Learning Lounge, where he leads the center's work helping students build confidence, strengthen their skills, and reach their academic goals. He focuses on building a team of exceptional tutors, creating a culture of collaboration and care, and making sure every family gets personalized, high-quality support.

As a father of three children, ages 16, 14, and 10, he understands the challenges families face at every stage of school and created the Learning Lounge as a safe place to help mentor children.

Ira brings more than two decades of leadership experience to the role. In 2009 he founded TIP Medical Communications (TIPMed), where he serves as CEO and has grown the company into a trusted partner to life sciences organizations.

Katherine Moore Strauss brings 30 years of educational experience and proven leadership to the Chester Learning Lounge. An Orton-Gillingham-trained educator, she currently teaches STEM and Technology at Dickerson School in Chester. Her career includes teaching ELA, History, and Math CAAP in Chester, as well as positions in the School District of the Chathams, Randolph Township Public Schools, and the International School of Texas, an International Baccalaureate school in Austin, Texas, where she was a founding member and educator.

Katherine has a strong record of developing educational programs and building community partnerships, including leading the Chester Mentoring Program in partnership with the Chester Township Public Library.

As Founding Director, Katherine is passionate about championing individualized instruction, creating innovative learning opportunities, and strengthening connections among tutors, students, families, and the community. A longtime community member and mother of four, she is committed to helping every student thrive.

Her leadership is grounded in the belief that every student deserves an individualized path to success and every family deserves a knowledgeable, responsive partner in their child’s education. She brings a collaborative yet proactive approach to leadership, focusing on identifying needs, developing solutions, strengthening communication, and turning ideas into meaningful programs.

Caroline is a special educator, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Analyst, and trained provider of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics.

For more than 15 years, Caroline has worked with children, teens, young adults, families, and schools. One thing Caroline learned is that when someone is struggling, there is usually more to the story. A child may look unmotivated when they’re overwhelmed, disorganized when they’re missing a skill, or resistant when the support they’re receiving simply isn’t working for them.

That’s where Caroline can help.

Caroline takes the time to understand what’s happening, identify the skills or supports that may be missing, and turn that information into practical strategies that fit everyday life. Caroline’s work includes support for tic disorders, executive-function challenges, and parents who want a clearer understanding of how to help their child.

Caroline’s approach is individualized, collaborative, and grounded in evidence—but it also has to be realistic. Families don’t need another complicated plan that only works on paper. They need useful tools, clear next steps, and support that makes sense for their lives.

Caroline’s goal is to help you better understand what’s getting in the way, recognize the strengths that are already there, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Jen Flood is an early childhood educator, school leader, and community advocate committed to building strong schools and connected communities. She is the Director of Haytown at Valley Brook, an independent, nonprofit preschool serving families in Tewksbury, Long Valley, Chester, and surrounding communities. Previously, Jen served as Director of Haytown Nursery School for ten years, guiding its growth and relocation while preserving its longstanding community roots and establishing a foundation for its next chapter.

Jen believes in the power of early childhood education, strong school-home connections, and nurturing the whole child. She champions play-based learning that fosters independence, kindness, confidence, curiosity, and the social-emotional skills children need to thrive.

A proud Tewksbury resident and mother of three, Jen serves on the Tewksbury Township Board of Education. Her previous community involvement includes the Tewksbury Community Safety Subcommittee, the district’s Anti-Bullying Committee, and the Food Advisory Committee. She believes strong schools are built through collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to students.

Through her work in education and public service, Jen strives to bring schools, families, and communities together so children can thrive and communities can flourish.

Willa Bogedal serves as Office Administrator at the Chester Learning Lounge, where she supports the center’s daily operations and helps create a welcoming, organized, and supportive environment for students, families, and staff. She plays an important role in coordinating administrative responsibilities and facilitating communication.

Willa brings 5 years of experience in administrative support and customer service to her role. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Human Resources Management Certificate from Montclair State University, which allow her to bring an understanding of human behavior, communication, and relationship-building to her work.

Willa is excited to be part of the Chester Learning Lounge as it grows into a trusted community resource, helping bring its mission of individualized learning, personal growth, and student success to life.

Details TBA

Gabriyel Curvin is a psychology doctoral student with a strong academic background and a commitment to supporting students in their educational development. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rowan University and her Master of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Psychology, specializing in Health Psychology, at National University.

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Gabriyel has gained experience working with young people in supportive settings. Her psychology background provides valuable insight into learning, motivation, individual differences, and the importance of creating an encouraging environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and developing their abilities.

At Chester Learning Lounge, Gabriyel offers English Language Arts tutoring across all grade levels, focusing on reading comprehension, writing, grammar, critical thinking, and academic writing. She enjoys helping students navigate challenging concepts, strengthen their communication skills, and build confidence in their academic abilities.

Gabriyel believes every student brings unique strengths and perspectives to learning. Her tutoring philosophy emphasizes patience, encouragement, and individualized support, recognizing that students learn in different ways. She strives to create a positive environment where students feel empowered to ask questions, embrace challenges, and develop skills for long-term academic success.

Jennifer Haff’s experience with French spans decades, beginning with her first exposure to the language as a teenager. She immediately connected with the language and culture and has continued studying and teaching French ever since. Jennifer majored in French at Dickinson College and spent her junior year living in Toulouse, France, where she completed an internship teaching English and American culture to French fourth- and fifth-grade students. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in education, sparking a passion for teaching alongside her love of French.

Jennifer earned her teaching certification and Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Montclair State University. She has taught French for over 30 years at the middle and high school levels, working with beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. She has also developed and written curricula covering a wide range of topics. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes total immersion, focusing on listening, reading, writing, and speaking through engaging activities and real-life conversational practice.

At The Chester Learning Lounge, Jennifer offers one-on-one and group tutoring, including conversation groups and preparation for AP French exams.

Jennifer believes every student can learn a language and that speaking another language is a true gift. She sees language learning as an opportunity to strengthen communication skills, expand career opportunities, and develop a deeper appreciation for other cultures and perspectives.

Details TBA