At Dream Catchers, we believe every child is more than just their grades. It’s about who they are, who they’re becoming, and how they feel about themselves. That’s why we love connecting with experts who work with children every day.
Recently, we had the privilege of sitting down with Lorie Strennen, the owner of Huntington Learning Center in McMurray, PA, to dive deep into the academic challenges kids are facing today and how families can support their children’s learning and confidence every step of the way.
She shared valuable advice for families navigating the complexities of modern education. She also discussed how Huntington Learning Center’s personalized tutoring programs help students from kindergarten through 12th grade succeed academically and build self-confidence.
Lorie Strennen, Owner of Huntington Learning Center McMurry Pa
Academic Challenges Facing Today’s Kids: How COVID is Still Impacting Learning
Lorie explains that while most kids have returned to in-person school, the lingering effects of COVID on academic performance are still being felt. One of the biggest challenges? Math skills. Many students are struggling with material that assumes they’ve mastered earlier concepts. For example, if a student missed key third-grade math, they may struggle in sixth grade.
“Even though most kids are back in school, the foundational gaps especially in math are very real,” Lorie shared. “These gaps continue to grow if not addressed.”
The Emotional Toll: Anxiety, Burnout, and Low Confidence
Beyond academic struggles, Lorie has seen a significant increase in anxiety and burnout among students. Middle and high schoolers, in particular, are grappling with feelings of low confidence often exacerbated by the constant comparison culture on social media. As kids try to juggle school, extracurriculars, and social pressures, many feel like they are failing.
“Kids are constantly comparing themselves to others on social media, in school, in sports and many of them feel like they’re failing,” Lorie noted.
“The real issue often isn’t a lack of ability, but a lack of support in building skills in a way that boosts their confidence.”
How One-on-One Tutoring Can Help Beyond Just Grades
At Huntington Learning Center, the focus is on personalized learning not just improving grades, but also helping students believe in themselves. One-on-one tutors help many students, boosting their confidence.
“An individualized approach makes a huge difference,” Lorie explained. “When students feel supported and encouraged, their confidence soars.”
Whether it’s helping with reading, math, or SAT/ACT prep, Huntington’s approach is all about giving students the tools they need to succeed while reigniting their love for learning.
Parent Advice: How to Help Your Child Succeed This School Year
As parents prepare for back-to-school season, Lorie offers several powerful tips on how to support children emotionally and academically:
- Be proactive: “If your child is struggling, don’t wait for them to ‘grow out of it.’ Address it now so it doesn’t snowball into bigger issues later.”
- Validate their feelings: “Don’t downplay your child’s frustration. Validate how they feel and then get them the support they need.”
- Celebrate effort, not just grades: “Your child should be proud of their hard work, even if the progress is slow.”
- Create a positive homework environment: “Minimize distractions, but be available to encourage and help when needed.”
The Growing Concern: Burnout and Overscheduled Kids
One trend Lorie is particularly concerned about is the overscheduling of kids. Between school, sports, extracurriculars, and homework, many children have little time to simply relax and unwind.
Lorie stresses the importance of unstructured time: “Kids need time to play, rest, and just be. It’s not a waste—it’s where creativity, self-discovery, and resilience are built.”
Building Confidence, One Step at a Time
Helping kids build confidence and believe in their abilities is one of the most powerful things we can do as parents and mentors. At Dream Catchers, we couldn’t agree more with Lorie’s sentiment:
“When a child starts to believe they are capable, everything changes. Confidence affects how they approach school, friendships, challenges everything.”
How Huntington Learning Center Helps Students Thrive
Whether your child is struggling with reading, math, study skills, or test preparation, Huntington Learning Center of McMurray offers tailored tutoring programs designed to meet the unique needs of each student. Their flexible scheduling options—both in-person and online—make it easy for busy families to get the help they need without disrupting their schedules.
By focusing on individualized learning, Huntington ensures that kids not only catch up on missed material but also feel empowered to take on future academic challenges with confidence.
Why Choose Huntington Learning Center McMurray?
- Personalized tutoring: Designed to help students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
- Flexible options: Both in-person and online tutoring to fit your busy family life.
- Experienced tutors: Focused on building confidence and academic skills in reading, math, SAT/ACT prep, and more.
As families prepare to send their kids back to school, Huntington Learning Center offers expert guidance and personalized support to help every child succeed both academically and emotionally.