Donesa Walker
Owner and Executive Director BOARD CERTIFIED COGNITIVE SPECIALIST
Donesa is our fearless leader!
She opened Shreveport LearningRx in 2008 with a passion for training the brain in order to conquer the underlying deficits that cause dyslexia, largely due to a history of this condition in her own family. Watching the lives of students of all ages change due to more cognitive efficiency is her passion.
BACKGROUND
Donesa received her Master’s of Education from UT Tyler and is a certified Master Reading Teacher and Dyslexia Specialist. In addition, she has 30+ years of teaching/administration experience. She also has certification and training in various OG based dyslexia programs. Donesa is the first Board Certified Cognitive Specialist in the State of LA and in the LearningRx system; she has led her team of trainers to become the first Certified Brain Training Center in the State and first in the LearningRx system.
FUN FACTS
Donesa is a wife, active church member, and the mother of two amazing men who also benefited from the life-changing experiences at LearningRx.
Joan Emerson
Brain Trainer/Assistant Director/ board certified cognitive Coach
Joan is likely the first person you see when you enter our learning center during the day!
BACKGROUND
She has a background in early childhood education, has a Montessori certification, traveled in Europe as an Au Pair as well as taught, and she is a Certified Cognitive Coach.
FUN FACTS
Joan grew up in New York State. She is a mother of 10, including a set of twins. She loves being outdoors, hiking, gardening, doing embroidery, baking and reading. As a child she wanted to be a teacher or join the peace corps.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Seeing the positive, life changing results of one to one cognitive brain training!
Carla Maynard
Brain Trainer/Director of Training,
board certified cognitive Coach, math specialist
BACKGROUND
Carla is a master trainer and our Director of Trainers. Carla also happens to be our resident math whiz. She has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Louisiana Tech and is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist.
FUN FACTS
Carla grew up here in Louisiana. She is married and has twin boys, one of which completed our program in 2014. She owns her own construction company.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Seeing the improvements in students’ struggles!
Katelyn Young
Brain Trainer/board certified cognitive specialist/ MARKETING
BACKGROUND
Katelyn grew up in Texas and Louisiana and has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Additionally, she is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist.
FUN FACTS
Katelyn is a special ed teacher at a local private school. She enjoys painting, reading and volunteering at her church. Katelyn has done missionary work in 5 different countries.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Seeing people’s lives changed in a fun and loving atmosphere!
Carmen Dews-Price
Assistant Director of First Impressions/PUBLIC RELATIONS,
Community marketing liaison/board certified cognitive specialist
BACKGROUND
Carmen has a background in sales and customer service which includes having owned her own business. In addition to this, she is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist.
FUN FACTS
Carmen was born in Mississippi and moved to Louisiana when she was 11. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, traveling, shopping and crafts.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Seeing how this program can really make a difference in people’s lives!
Amy Laule
Brain Trainer/board certified cognitive Coach
BACKGROUND
Amy is a Certified Cognitive Coach. As an older sibling, she grew up assisting in homeschooling her younger siblings and also home-schooled her own children through 10th grade. As a young adult she began working with special needs individuals and continues to do so as a special ed teacher at a local private school.
FUN FACTS
Amy grew up in a large family in rural Mississippi. She enjoys running and has completed several half marathons.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
The positive atmosphere and genuine care shown to the clients and fellow co-workers!
Jeanne Doggett
Brain Trainer,
board certified cognitive & reading specialist
BACKGROUND
Jeanne is a Master Trainer as well as a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist. She taught English, Reading, and Physical Education to middle school and high school students for 31 years in the public school system before she retired in 2012.
FUN FACTS
In addition to working at Learning Rx, Jeanne proofreads depositions and transcripts for a local court reporter, plays keyboard on the worship team at her church, teaches 1 st-2nd grade Sunday school class, and serves on the women’s ministry team. She enjoys reading, playing music, visiting with friends, traveling, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
It is so rewarding to see lives changed!
Lyle Young
Brain LAB Trainer/board certified cognitive specialist
BACKGROUND
Lyle has a B.A. in English from the University of New Orleans and is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist. He is our go to guy for our Brain Lab. Lyle is also a special ed history and English teacher at a local private school.
FUN FACTS
When he’s not working, Lyle enjoys books! He likes to read, as well as peruse bookstores and a good book sale. He enjoys listening to music, classic rock and some modern as well. He also enjoys taking long walks, discussing politics, and is good at making people laugh.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Making people of all ages in Brain Lab smile!
Mary Roberts
Brain Trainer/ board certified cognitive Coach
BACKGROUND
Mary is a Board Certified Cognitive Coach and has spent over 40 years working with small children of all developmental stages. She specializes in pre-kindergarten students who are having trouble learning the basics of numbers and letters, which are essential to their future math and reading progress. The parents of her clients appreciate her innovative ideas on how to motivate and inspire their young children to reach for the stars, not only in school, but at home as well.
FUN FACTS
Mary is a native of Louisiana, a wife, and mother. She loves going bargain hunting and can spend hours in a good thrift shop. She also loves to travel with her daughter.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Meeting new people and watching students grow in confidence with each session!
Stacy Carpenter
BRAIN TRAINER
board certified cognitive specialist/ math specialist
BACKGROUND
Stacy is a brain trainer, Board Certified Cognitive Specialist, as well as a math specialist. She has experience as an adjunct math instructor at Bossier Parish Community College.
FUN FACTS
Outside of work, Stacy volunteers with a high school youth group and leads a women’s service & prayer organization at her church.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
The flexibility in scheduling around my busy home-schooling family!
Jacob Slaughter
Brain Trainer/assessor/ board certified cognitive specialist
BACKGROUND
Jacob has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and is a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist, as well as an assessor. He has experience in communication and customer service, as well as being a local business owner.
FUN FACTS
Jacob grew up in Louisiana in a large family. He has earned a silver medal on the national level in the Agriscience Fair and has also competed nationally in Floriculture competitions. He loves baking, spending time with his many pets, and gardening.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Developing relationships with the clients and seeing the growth in cognitive skills and confidence!
Abigail Boykin
Brain Trainer
BACKGROUND
Abigail has a background in customer service, as well as community service and outreach. She is currently studying at LSUS.
FUN FACTS
Abigail enjoys gardening, doing research, and visiting the library in her spare time.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Meeting new people and working with the kind folks here!
Anquitra Walton
BRAIN TRAINER
BACKGROUND
Anquitra received her Master’s of Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from LaTech University, her B.S. in Psychology from LSUS, and an Associate of
Ministry degree. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at
Walden University. She is a National Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor in
Louisiana and Texas, and does private practice.
FUN FACTS
Anquitra is a mom of 4, one girl and three boys. She loves volunteering at her church in various
areas. She loves to sing and cook. She has recently found a love of baking homemade chocolate
chip cookies and brownies.
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB:
Seeing the challenges people are able to overcome.
Michelean Cook
Brain Trainer/ Assessor/ Board Certified Cognitive Specialist
background
Michelean has a M.A. in Communications and a M.Ed. She isa retired Special Education teacher and Compliance Specialist from Caddo Parish.
fun facts
In her free time, Michelean enjoys traveling, fishing, spending time with her family, baking, antiquing, reading and writing.
favorite part of my job:
I relish every time I see that spark light up when a client (no matter the age 5-95 years old) obtains or surpasses a specific skill in their training. That moment when all the pieces fit together is remarkable! Confidence, self-esteem, understanding, and the knowledge that anything is possible are all identified gains for the client.
