At EdVISTA we provide educational care at a superior level. We nurture each individual's potential and celebrate his or her strengths to address any areas of weakness.

Our mission centers on nine principles:

• inspire excellence
• instill trust and confidence
• invest in the heart of the learner
• engender a passion for learning
• empower the talents and multiple intelligences of the individual
• equip the student with the tools that promote learning
• cast a vision of a successful lifelong learner
• care deeply about the individual
• captivate the attention of the student.

The EdVISTA program is uniquely suited to individual needs, including individualized remediation, enhancement, and training programs for special areas of desired mastery; for example:

• Standardized test preparation (e.g., ISEE, SAT, GRE, LSAT, PRAXIS)
• Basic skills proficiency (reading, writing, math)
• Memory enhancement
• Problem solving
• Increased focus and attention
• Development of an achiever's attitude
• Effective study skills
• Enhanced social skills

Students develop learning strategies to overcome challenges and excel in school, college, and careers. Dr. Wicks explains, "First of all, students become aware of how they process information and discover the joy of learning. We develop an individualized learning plan based on the student's own learning style, mix of intelligences, and areas in need of mastery."

Dr. Karen Wicks

Dr. Karen Wicks' background is unique. She was born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia.  As a young child, she wanted to be a teacher, as she was inspired by the work of her parents--pastors in the "hollers" and out-of-the-way mountain ranges. At a young age, she understood that one should value others in spite of their personal hardships, learning disabilities, or the lack of opportunity. With two siblings suffering from bipolar disorders, Dr. Wicks became attuned to learning differences. 

A gifted vocalist, she sought to combine her desire to teach with a strong interest in music. She completed her Bachelor's degree in French and English, with a minor in Music and Comparative Religions, at Lee University in Tennessee, followed by a Master's degree in French at the University of Tennessee. She then obtained her doctorate at New York University in French Language/Literature and Education--with a major focus in learning styles and a minor in Psychology, Music, and Art.

While working towards her Ph.D., Dr. Wicks was a full-time junior executive in an international company. Over the years, Dr. Wicks has taught English, French, and Music in middle school and high school and French at the college level. In addition, she was a college administrator at City University of New York, where she directed the development of international cross-cultural programs, such as Cultura y Commerce, and instructional CD-ROM programs for art history and languages. 

Dr. Wicks then served as director for curriculum and instructional development at the College Board--the SAT people, working with teachers throughout the country in developing and implementing learner-centered, multidisciplinary curricula.  Dr. Wicks directed national projects such as the Arts in the Center of the Curriculum Project, funded jointly by the College Board and the Getty Foundation's Center for Education, as well as The Foreign Language Initiative, which was implemented throughout northeastern middle and high school districts. 

As a learning specialist, Dr. Wicks has cultivated expertise in numerous educational disciplines and developed curricula for learners of all ages. She has a passion to be a catalyst for growth in the lives of others. The program that Dr. Wicks has developed incorporates a multidisciplinary, multimodal, and holistic approach to the learning process.