About
Tidewater Learning Center
At Tidewater Learning Center, we’re more than an educational service—we’re your partner in helping every child thrive. Families across Hampton Roads trust us because we offer a unique blend of expertise, compassion, and personalized support designed to meet each student’s individual needs.
WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR CHILD EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
EXPERTISE IN
EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS
We specialize in identifying learning challenges and uncovering the root causes that may be holding your child back.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING PLANS
Every student receives a custom approach tailored to their unique strengths, needs, and goals.
COMPASSIONATE,
EXPERIENCED TEAM
Our educators and specialists believe in the potential of every learner and work with care, patience, and encouragement.
STRONG COMMUNITY ROOTS
We’ve built trusted relationships throughout Coastal Virginia with a track record of real results.
Kirby Frank
Owner
Hello! I’m Kirby Frank, and I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new owner of Tidewater Learning Center. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Education and Communications from the University of North Florida.
I’ve been an educator for over 10 years, with teaching experience in Florida, San Diego, Hawaii, and now right here in Virginia Beach. For the past five years, I’ve found my true passion in teaching second grade, helping young learners grow in confidence and skills during such a pivotal stage.
I’m also a proud Navy wife, married for 14 years to my husband, a U.S. Navy Diver. We have two energetic boys, ages 9 and 12, who keep life wonderfully busy with sports, school, and nonstop adventures. When I’m not in the classroom or cheering from the sidelines, you’ll likely find me outdoors with my family or watching college football—Go Gators!
As I step into this new role at TLC, I’m deeply committed to creating a supportive, nurturing environment where every child can thrive. I look forward to connecting with our families and building something truly special together.
Our Staff
Betsy Burgess
Tutor
Betsy Burgess holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from SUNY Geneseo and a Master's degree from Nazareth University, both located in New York. With 25 years of experience teaching kindergarten and 10 years as a certified Reading Recovery teacher, she brings deep expertise and a nurturing approach to early literacy. Betsy has taught in both upstate New York and Chesterfield County, Virginia, and has called Chesapeake home for nearly 20 years. After retiring from the Virginia Beach school system, she joined Tidewater Learning Center and has been tutoring with the team for the past five years. She especially loves working with students in kindergarten through third grade.
Theresa Hicks
Tutor
Theresa Hicks is a Reading Specialist with an endorsement in Learning Disabilities. She worked for 15 years in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools and brings a wealth of experience and patience to her work at TLC. Her specialty is teaching reading to young learners, particularly those who have struggled to find success through traditional methods. Theresa finds great fulfillment in helping children build strong literacy foundations.
Christina Lewis
Tutor
Christina Lewis is a licensed secondary English teacher with a passion for helping students grow through literacy. Since 2019, she has taught English and tutored students of all ages, with a focus on ESL, remedial reading and writing, and literacy development. Christina is committed to unlocking each child’s potential through personalized coaching and a relationship-based approach. She finds joy in watching a student's confidence grow as they discover that reading can be both fun and rewarding.
Kathleen Locke
Tutor
Kathleen Locke earned her Master of Arts in Teaching in 1998 with concentrations in Language Arts and Mathematics. Her professional background is rich and varied, including roles as a fourth-grade teacher, special education assistant, resource teacher, assistant director of a tutoring company, and aftercare program leader. She also owned and operated the School of Rock in Norfolk for a decade and currently serves as the Batten Library Services Manager at The William School. Kathleen has been tutoring at Tidewater Learning Center since 2023 and continues to enjoy supporting students on their academic journeys.
Lucia Nadale
Tutor
Born in San Diego and raised in Argentina, Lucia Nadale has been working with children since the age of 14. Her passion for education led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Educational Psychology, where she gained in-depth knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities. Lucia finds great joy in identifying each child’s strengths and helping them navigate their challenges with confidence. She believes deeply in the power of education and often recalls Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”
Kathy Maguschak
Tutor
With a history of babysitting, leading summer camp groups, volunteering at her children's schools, and leading Girl Scout troops, Kathy brings a lifelong passion for working with children to every tutoring session. With a Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and over 15 years of teaching experience in Hampton Roads, she has supported students of all ages. For the past 8 years, Kathy has been a dedicated tutor at Tidewater Learning Center, where she enjoys bringing creativity and adaptability to each student’s unique learning journey.
Nanci Mayo
Executive Assistant
As Tidewater Learning Center’s Executive Assistant, Nanci Mayo manages the daily operations of the center and plays a key role in supporting both tutors and students. She trains new tutors in the Recipe for Reading program and carefully pairs each student with the right instructor for a successful learning experience. With a background in communications, Nanci has a natural gift for helping children build strong reading and writing foundations. She considers it a win when students walk in excited to read—those are the days that make her job especially meaningful.
Melanie Miller
Tutor
Melanie Miller is a licensed Professional Engineer who shifted her career focus to education after 25 years in the field. Since 2022, she has worked with students in kindergarten through 12th grade across subjects such as reading, writing, and math. Melanie brings a patient, problem-solving mindset to her tutoring sessions and especially enjoys seeing students build confidence as they improve and excel in school.
David Strojek
Tutor
David Strojek has been passionate about teaching for more than 40 years. During his career in the U.S. Navy, he held numerous instructional roles, and after retiring from military service, he followed a calling into public education. David earned his master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University and is licensed in both general and special education. He spent over two decades in the classroom, sharing his knowledge and support with students of all learning styles. Today, he continues that work at Tidewater Learning Center, where he finds joy in helping students grow. Outside of teaching, David enjoys spending time with his family, serving God, surfing, and exploring God’s creations outdoors.
Dr. Chevette Scott Alston
Psychologist
Dr. Chevette Scott Alston ("Dr. A") has earned two bachelor degrees from North Carolina State University, one master's degree in Counseling from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Clinical Psychology doctorate from Capella University, and a masters in divinity from Regent University. Overall, Dr. Alston has over 25 years of experience in mental health. She has also been an adjunct instructor for schools such as Johnson & Wales, Tidewater Community College, Regent University, and South University.
Dr. Alston is licensed in North Carolina, Virginia, DC, Maryland, Georgia and South Carolina. Her clinical skills include EMDR, hypnotherapy, trauma, and psychological assessments. Dr. Alston’s target populations are women’s issues, marital counseling, AD/HD, depression, trauma, anxiety, stress, grief, and parenting skills. She sees a variety of clients in all age ranges and cultures.