Laura Barr, M.ed. owner/founder of e.Merging Educational Consulting, has been working with families in the Denver area for over 20 years. A mother of four children, she holds an M.A. in early childhood and elementary education from Bank Street College in New York City. Laura’s qualifications include a background in educational philosophy, teaching in both the pre-school and elementary classrooms, serving as an admission director at an independent school, and facilitating teacher education and Love and Logic. She has attended numerous workshops in the education field as well as in the area of leadership and self improvement. When Laura is not working with clients, she is visiting the many dynamic and exciting schools in the Denver area. Whether it is consulting with families about school choice or working, coaching parents in Parenting Education or Life Coaching, Laura’s experience as an educator, woman, and mother support a hands-on approach that helps her clients achieve clarity and vision.
Kerri Barclay, M.ed. is currently the co-creator of the educational blog, ScoopToo, a resource created to help Denver parents navigate the Kindergarten and elementary phase of their child’s education. A mother of three children, she holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Literacy through Lesley College in Boston, MA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Sociology through Salve Regina University in Newport, RI. Kerri taught for seven years in a public school system in MA. She spent five years as a first grade teacher continually developing her craft by attending a wide variety of educational workshops. Teaching and working with children is her passion and one day she may make a return to the classroom. Kerri was the Education Coordinator for the Bridge Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational opportunities for children living in Denver’s public housing neighborhoods so they graduate from high school and attend college or learn a trade. She is a member of Stand for Children and supports several non-profits that focus their efforts on education reform. Kerri continues to work on her blog and enjoys visiting Denver area schools to learn about their unique philosophies and programming. She hopes to use her past/present educational knowledge, experiences, and passion to help families learn more about the numerous educational options available and empower them to make informed decisions regarding their child’s education.
Kerry Kaeding, M. ed. has been working in Denver area independent schools for over ten years as an elementary educator, curriculum developer and admissions director. Working as a school administrator, Kerry designed and implemented a preschool program. Kerry holds a B.A. in sociology and a M.A. in early childhood education from the University of Colorado. Kerry’s understanding of educational philosophy is balanced with her knowledge of Denver and Jefferson County public and private schools.Understanding, celebrating and supporting children and families has always been the focal point of Kerry’s career. She is passionate about building positive relationships between students, parents and teachers within the school community. Kerry has extensive training and knowledge of the delicate interplay between academics and social and emotional growth. Whether working in schools or with individual families, Kerry is committed to finding schools and programs that will fulfill parent’s and student’s needs and goals. Kerry is the owner of Kerry Kaeding Consulting LLC.
Research Specialists
Christina Shimrock, M.ed. comes to e.Merging Consulting after teaching most recently in Denver Public Schools as a middle school Language Arts teacher. Prior to coming to Denver, she taught at Federal Hocking Local Schools in Southeastern Ohio where she also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, both at Ohio University. Education runs in Christina’s blood; Her mother was an elementary teacher and her father has worked as a teacher, principal, professor and educational consultant. She has a passion for holistic education and believes in making connections between the classroom and the real world for students. At e.Merging Consulting, Christina is a research specialist , helping streamline the sometimes overwhelming amount of information for parents when choosing the best school for their children.
e.Merging Network Preferred Professionals
Dr. Lois M. Winchell, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice and earned her Doctorate and Masters Degrees in Counseling Psychology from the University of Denver. Dr. Winchell served her internship at the University of South Florida, Tampa and has her Board Certified License as a Psychologist and her School Psychology Certification.
Dr. Winchell’s background is broad and extensive. She has had a long-standing family and child private practice for over 20 years, specializing in giftedness, motivation, twice-exceptional students, all with a broad assessment component. Dr. Winchell has taught graduate courses for several universities and is a clinical supervisor for doctoral students. Because she also has a background in public education, Dr. Winchell has a unique perspective and expertise in educational, social and behavioral assessment with children. Her experience also includes inpatient neuropsychology, community mental health, forensic assessment, and inpatient child and adolescent assessment.
Dr. Riley Rhodes, Psy.D. – Dr. Rhodes is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in psychological and educational assessments, as well as therapy with young children and their families. She holds a BA in psychology from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. Dr. Rhodes is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the Colorado Assessment Society, and has supervised the clinical work of doctorate students at the University of Denver. Since moving to Denver over a decade ago, Dr. Rhodes has worked in a variety of settings including The Children’s Hospital, several Denver-area schools, children’s residential homes, and community mental health centers. Dr. Rhodes currently sees children and families in her private practice and has enjoyed the addition of working with the e.Merging team for the past year. She has three young children of her own and volunteers for the Children’s Hospital Burn Camps Program.
Erin Chain is the owner/founder of Mile High Climbers and is the preferred referral for e.Merging educational consulting for
children who need support services. Mile High Climbers believes in the potential of ALL children. They have developmental specialists in psychology speech and language, physical and occupational therapy. This group of vibrant and dedicated specialists have a “hands on” and collaborative approach looking at each child as “whole.” e.Merging and Mile High Climbers work together to provide parents with all the information they need to make the school choice that is the most appropriate for child and family.