Deena Beard
Trainer
Deena Beard
Trainer
Deena Beard has been a Feuerstein Mediator since 2002 and became a trainer in 2006. She has trained for the institute both abroad and in the United States. She currently trains Orthodox groups of teachers in upstate New York. Her undergraduate degree is in Psychology and she completed her MAT as a Reading Specialist in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2009, she developed a Cognitive Skills collegiate-style curriculum for the Home Educated population. The class utilizes FIE materials, MLE, and study materials to increase the efficiency of learning and academic performance. Deena has seen hundreds of home educated students benefit from following the Feuerstein path of self-mediation with a mindset of growth resulting in enhanced thinking with focused study. She freely shares the format of this class and has been thankful to see successful duplication of it in other states. Deena has four children and four grandchildren…so far. She resides in rural Kentucky with her husband.
Meir Ben-Hur
Trainer
Meir Ben-Hur
Trainer
Dr. Meir Ben Hur is a recognized international authority in the field of cognition and mathematics and the author of a very popular book Concept-rich mathematics instruction: Building a strong foundation for reasoning and problem solving. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria, VA, USA. He is one of the senior trainers of the Feuerstein Institute who mentored thousands of teachers in the US and around the world.
Sharon Eagen
Trainer
Sharon Eagen
Trainer
Sharon sat in her first Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) Standard 1 course on a hot summer day in 2011 and was hooked. She thought of all her students, past and present, and knew each one of them needed the Feuerstein Method. There were finally some answers to the questions she had been asking about how to help all her students reach their full potential. Sharon implemented FIE and Mediated Learning Experience in her Michigan classroom and with her educational therapy students. She co-led a schoolwide implementation of FIE for all K-8 students, became a trainer in 2018, and taught the principles of mediation to the school faculty. Sharon is the founder of The Cognitive Link and The Mediated Learning Lab where she supports parents, teachers, administrators, and mediators as they guide students to reach their learning potential. Sharon’s newest projects include Ten-Minute Teacher Training and serving on the board of a new school scheduled to open in September.
Lori Horner
Trainer
Lori Horner
Trainer
Lori discovered the transformative power of Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) during her first training in 2020 and quickly realized it was the missing piece in her work as an Educational Therapist. Inspired by its potential, she earned certifications in FIE 2 & 3, Basic 1 & 2, and Tactile over the following years. Lori has since seen the profound impact of Feuerstein’s method, working with individuals of all ages and across a wide range of cognitive challenges. Now, as an FIE Trainer, she is dedicated to expanding access to this life-changing methodology by training others to unlock cognitive potential.
Gwendolyn Kinard
Speaker
Gwendolyn Kinard
Speaker
Gwendolyn D. Kinard, Ph.D. holds degrees in Chemistry, Early Childhood Special Education, and Public Policy Analysis with an emphasis on Educational Administration. She transitioned from a coatings chemist and chemical lab technician to an educator, teaching students with severe mental handicaps and learning disabilities, particularly in math and science. She also taught college-level courses and worked in the University of Illinois' Principal Center. During her tenure, Dr. Kinard collaborated with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on a National Science Foundation initiative, serving as a teacher facilitator and curriculum developer. Alongside her husband, she founded RMT Laboratory, Inc. and the Institute for Cognitive Literacy (ICL). RMT Laboratory provided workforce development training and contracted with schools internationally. The ICL focuses on developing cognitive literacy and works with families and community stakeholders to improve education and neighborhood development. Dr. Kinard continues to contribute to special education research and the development of teaching methodologies, particularly focusing on cognitive literacy and its impact on teaching and learning.
Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
Speaker
Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
SpeakerGwendolyn Battle Lavert, PhD, is an international literacy specialist. She has served as principal of Frances Slocum Elementary in Marion, Indiana, and as a leadership and literacy expert in the Middle East, where she led curricular improvement and professional development initiatives and aligned those efforts with the district’s progress as a professional learning community. Dr. Lavert has been an educator since 1974 and has experience as a teacher, district literacy specialist, and district administrator in a variety of school settings. The schools she has worked in range from a predominantly low-income school serving minorities to some of the most affluent and high-performing schools, including Highland Park Elementary School in Texarkana, Texas. She has been an assistant professor at the College of Education at Indiana Wesleyan University, where she taught foundations of early literacy and literacy in the content area. She also taught graduate courses in leadership and led several master’s cohort groups. Dr. Lavert is a member of the Indiana Administration Association and is the Indiana Department of Education lead for literacy. Her strong belief in developing highly effective schools that are responsive to students’ cultural learning and cognitive styles has resulted in marked improvement in various schools. She has presented throughout the United States on topics ranging from developing a culture of high expectations to implementing support systems for students who are struggling academically and behaviorally, and she has worked with educational leaders to make curricula more relevant to marginalized students. Dr. Lavert received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in literacy from Texas A&M University. Her doctorate in education leadership is from Indiana State University. She is a noted-children’s Author (Papa Mark) and professional development books for educators: Who Says I Can’t)- Closing the Reading Gap!). Her Newsletters and following on Social Media are widely read and review as outstanding.
David Martin
Speaker
David Martin
Speaker
David Martin has been training mediators in Instrumental Enrichment since the 1980’s in a variety of school and university settings, including sites for learners who are deaf and hard of hearing; he has also carried out published research on the results of FIE implementations in the USA, China, and England. Qualified as a trainer in all levels of FIE Basic and Standard, at Shoresh 2025 he will be mentoring trainers and meeting with new trainees in Basic One and Standard One to explain alternative ways of implementing FIE in classroom environments. He is Professor/Dean Emeritus from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and has held a variety of professional positions in Education. He currently lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. His email is davidmartindr@aol.com.
Claire Merbaum
Speaker
Claire Merbaum
Speaker
Claire Merbaum is a Toronto-based educator and practitioner who founded The Centre for Mediated Learning (1999-2014) following an internship in Jerusalem under the mentorship of the late Prof. Reuven Feuerstein. With a background that spans academic studies, specialized training at the Feuerstein Institute, clinical experience, and leadership as a Senior Administrator in K-12 schools, Claire offers a distinctive and holistic approach to assessment, learning, and student advocacy. Her passion lies in sharing the transformative power of Mediated Learning and its applied systems, Dynamic Assessment (LPAD) and the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) program. Through workshops and personalized guidance, she equips educators and parents with the knowledge and tools to significantly enhance their interactions with children, fostering lasting improvements in thinking and learning. Claire is an Authorized Training Associate with the Feuerstein Institute and a Board-Certified Cognitive Specialist (BCCS). She holds a Master of Arts in School and Child-Clinical Psychology and PhD Candidacy at OISE/University of Toronto. Claire has had the opportunity to travel internationally, conducting workshops and meeting with children from a variety of cultural backgrounds. A proud mother of two young adults, she is fluent in English and Spanish, with advanced proficiency in Hebrew.
Catalina Murillo
Trainer
Catalina Murillo
Trainer
Catalina Murillo has over a decade of experience as a reading tutor, reading interventionist, and learning specialist at both the elementary and middle school levels. She joined Montenova International School as Preschool Director during its founding year and continues to share her academic vision as Academic Director. Her background in Instructional Media and Orton-Gillingham provides a solid foundation for integrating research-based methods into curriculum design and instructional practice. Driven by her interest in improving learning outcomes for her students, Catalina has found the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) program to be transformative not only for her students and their families, but also for her own professional growth. She is passionate about empowering teachers, parents, and fellow educators to enhance cognitive abilities and unlock learners’ potential.
Lorri Wilke
Trainer
Lorri Wilke
Trainer
Lorri Wilke is an experienced educational therapist with over 35 years in the field of education. She holds a Ph.D. in Reading, Language, and Literacy and has earned multiple certifications that reflect her expertise in specialized learning strategies. As a trainer in the Feuerstein Method, an instructor for NILD, and a certified Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist, Lorri focuses on supporting students with learning challenges such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other cognitive difficulties. Her work is centered around empowering students to develop essential skills and habits that foster literacy, academic success, and lifelong learning. Lorri's approach is customized to meet each student’s unique needs, ensuring that they unlock their full potential and experience meaningful progress. With a strong passion for teaching educators, she is committed to equipping teachers and mediators with the tools and knowledge necessary to make a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond.
Vicki Snyder
Speaker
Vicki Snyder
Speaker
Vicki Snyder is honored to be a part of Shoresh this year! She is trained in all levels of Basic and Standard FIE, Thinking Memory, Tactile, and both Basic and Standard LPAD. She has over 30 years experience as an occupational therapist. She fell in love with the Feuerstein Method in 2014 and the way that it blends with therapy. By 2019 she transitioned to being a full-time mediator, and her OT knowledge has often helped her to have an expanded understanding of her clients. Vicki is privileged to have been with The MINDCAP Center since its inception in 2015, and is very excited for the learning and rewarding opportunities that mediation provides.
Daniela Zamboni
Lecturer
Daniela Zamboni
Lecturer
Daniela Zamboni is an educational therapist, cognitive science researcher and LPAD trainer for the Feuerstein Institute. She is the founder and director of the Institute of Human Potential (IPH) in Brazil, where she implements programs that enhance human potential by integrating Feuerstein's methodologies with neuroscience tools. Her work focuses on identifying individuals' cognitive structures to uncover their potential and foster the development of cognitive and emotional skills. In recent years, Daniela has explored fields such as giftedness, ADHD and educational programs. Her primary goal is to help people understand how they think and to empower them to unlock and enhance their full potential.
Jeanne Zehr
Director of Feuerstein Programs - North America
Jeanne Zehr
Director of Feuerstein Programs - North America
Dr. Zehr offers a unique approach to improving thinking and learning skills whether you are a 10 year old with ADHD or a CEO overwhelmed with daily stress. Jeanne Zehr began her career as a champion for children with disabilities serving public schools for 35 years in the classroom and in leadership roles. She completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and her doctorate was earned at Indiana State University with research on “Changing Belief Systems of Teachers” honored as Dissertation of the Year. As the Founder of The MINDCAP Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she directed one of the only centers in North America to provide both training and clinical services in the Israeli cognitive skills method, the Feuerstein Program, to all ages of children and adults. Now Dr. Zehr serves as the Director of North America Programs and an international senior trainer for the Feuerstein Institute. She has trained in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Canada, Denmark, Australia, South Korea, South Africa, France, Ethiopia, Italy and India. She trained counselors in Cambodia and Thailand who care for underage girls rescued from human sex trafficking. Schools, corporations, and nonprofit organizations find value in Dr. Zehr’s expertise for development in the neuroscience of leadership, creative thinking, or growth mindset. Dr. Zehr’s faith journey has given her a keen interest in the amazing brain that God created which translates into empowering others through dynamic hands-on presentations.