Kim Lapidus M.S., CCC-SLP
I am a math tutor and a speech language pathologist. I married the two skill sets 28 years ago utilizing my speech and language training to help my math students in both the comprehension and expression of the complex language of math. I tutor young students as early as 1st grade through the high school years (Pre -Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus and Personal Finance).
In addition to my math tutoring, I provide comprehensive AAC services in the home and community setting for nonverbal and minimally verbal clients using high tech dynamic display communication devices to communicate. I provide consultations and training to teams new to AAC or those teams that are ready to take their AAC knowledge and experience to the next level.
Rita Pfeiffer M.S., CCC-SLP
Rita Pfeiffer is a Speech-Language Pathologist and tutor who joined the practice in 2019 to gain more experience providing therapeutic services in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and in the process, became a passionate advocate for providing accessible communication to all. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Rita especially loves providing community-based AAC services to meaningfully facilitate growth in her clients’ communication skills and, in a small way, help make the Nashville area more inclusive for people with disabilities. As a tutor in executive functioning, literacy, and literacy, Rita enjoys working with middle and high school students in building both their skills and confidence to become independent thinkers.
Rita has a diverse range of both clinical and research experience serving people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. All experiences relied on providing coaching and team collaboration, and currently, she works with Kim to provide workshops and training on topics pertaining to AAC. For more information on Rita’s background: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-pfeiffer-38665476/
Morgan Smith M.S., CCC-SLP
Morgan Smith is a Speech-Language Pathologist who joined the Skillbuilding Co-op, LLC in 2023 to share her passion for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with her clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Morgan is devoted to family and community education for AAC, to increase awareness of the importance of functional communication in all aspects of daily living.
Leslye Lapidus
Leslye has been with The Skillbuilding Co-op for more than 10 years. She is a retired MNPS middle school teacher. She gave 28 years to Metro teaching English and Social Studies in the 5th and 6th grade. She started as Rose Park MS, worked at West End MS and finally finished out her years as a classroom teacher at HG Hill MS. She ended her 30th year with Metro as an Encore teacher working with the gifted students of MNPS. Leslye loves to tutor Middle School English. She is the Grammar Master at the Co-op. She will also provide any written language and vocabulary support where needed.
Jared Mendiola
Jared is a science and math tutor that specializes in chemistry. He works primarily with middle and high school students but is open to tutoring all ages. He graduated from Colorado College with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with minors in education and Spanish. While at CC, he gained valuable skills and experience as a tutor for fellow college students. He started his PhD in chemistry at Vanderbilt University but changed career paths to pursue education. Jared will provide a welcoming space for his students to develop a passion for learning and cultivate skills that can be utilized across subjects.
Jacob Milstein
Jacob Milstein is a tutor and instructor who seeks to understand his students and connect the material to their strengths and curiosities. A performing singer/songwriter, improvisor, and storyteller, he loves engaging people’s boredom with surprising contexts, their insolation with candid honesty. He grew up moving around a lot, but when he goes home to visit, he goes to Oklahoma. He’s lived in Nashville since 2016.
Hannah Dorfman
