Meet the Team at LearningRx Tysons!

LearningRx’s programs and results are unique… so of course our people are, too! Get to know our team below. We look forward to getting to know you, too!

Maureen Loftus

Center Director

During the long journey of raising a special needs daughter I often said to my husband, “If I can figure out McKenna, I am going to start a business based on the solution because I will be able to help so many families”. After experiencing the life-changing impact LearningRx had on McKenna, I knew I discovered the next business I was going to apply my decades of business experience to leading.

McKenna does not have a diagnosis that explains the countless challenges that she faces including delays in every category of development, cognitive delays, numerous medical issues, and more. I was told she would never learn anything academic and would be challenged to feed/dress herself. But I never gave up and researched every potential intervention/treatment possible and tried many of them. The one intervention that made a significant difference is LearningRx brain training.

I knew that I wanted to open my first center in Vienna where my children grew up and attended school. Our children have since completed high school attending Wolftrap ES, Kilmer MS and James Madison High School. As a result, we personally know many of the families that we serve which makes the impact mean so much more.

Over the last decade, we have worked with thousands of families from the Vienna, McLean, Arlington, Dunn Loring, Oakton and surrounding areas. I am active in the community serving as a board director of non-profits, spearheading school-based programs, and more.

Nicholle

Assistant Director & Brain Trainer

Nicholle began her cognitive communications journey as a brain trainer in 2018. She loves brain training because “I get this natural high when I see my students go through this incredible transformation as we play games to enhance their brain function.” Before becoming a certified brain trainer, the Minneapolis native spent several years working as a journalist for ABC, CBS, NBC, and NPR affiliate stations around the country. Nicholle has a Master’s degree in Broadcast Communications and completed a fellowship at the Senate Radio-TV Gallery. She recently worked as an on-air host for C-SPAN Radio. Her hobbies include: singing karaoke, sewing baby quilts, and pretending to be a stand-up comedian. Her favorite LearningRx brain game is Reasoning Brain Cards.

Macie

Assistant Director & Brain Trainer

Macie graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in neuroscience and a minor in studio arts. Originally from Minnesota, she loves the snow and cross-country skiing. In college, she also played ultimate frisbee. Macie’s friends would say she is hardworking, enthusiastic, and caring. A fun fact about Macie is that she studied abroad at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland during college. One of her favorite books is Brave Enough by cross-country skiing Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins. She tells an inspiring story full of dedication, grit, and resiliency (bonus: she is from Minnesota too!). Macie was actually able to meet Jessie Diggins at a ski clinic in high school (and is still shocked this was not just a dream). Macie’s favorite brain training activity is Memory Digits because she loves how excited the students get when they are correct, and it is wonderful to watch them improve over time

Andres

Brain Trainer

Andres is a native of Fairfax, Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from George Mason University. His friends say that he is an enthusiastic person who is honest and detail-oriented. Andres likes brain training “because the help that we give to students was not something that was available to me when I had difficulties learning in the classroom. It is also a fun challenge as a trainer!” One of Andres’s favorite quotes comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

Christen

Brain Trainer

Christen Dixon is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. She received a Master’s degree in Medical Sciences from Morehouse School of Medicine and her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her goals are to become a neuroscientist and an advocate for disadvantaged youth. Christen says, “I love LearningRx because it allows me to push others to be the best version of themselves!”

Courtney

Brain Trainer

Courtney graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology. The Northern Virginia native enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, taking care of animals, playing Scrabble, watching horror movies, and playing sports. Courtney’s friends say that she’s genuine, trustworthy, considerate, and funny. A fun fact about Courtney is that she is featured in a book about redheads. Courtney’s favorite brain training activity is Attention Speed “because it’s quick to complete and targets a diverse range of cognitive skills.” Her favorite quote is by Poet Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”

Salina

Brain Trainer

Salina is a Master’s student, working to get a degree in School Psychology at Lewis and Clark College. The Silver Spring, Maryland native received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Salina’s hobbies include reading, swimming, playing board games, and listening to podcasts. Her favorite brain training activity is Reasoning Brain Cards. Salina’s favorite book is The Power by Naomi Alderman and her favorite movies are Identity and Momento.

Sarah

Brain Trainer

Sarah Kwartin is from Vienna, Virginia. She is currently a Master’s student at the University of Virginia, studying Speech-Language Pathology. Previously, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders/Linguistics from the University of Georgia. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading, crafting, and playing various musical instruments; in fact, she plays seven different instruments. Her friends describe her as kind, genuine, and dedicated. One of her favorite brain training activities is “Attention Speed,” which she enjoys because it allows her to experiment with various interesting tasks and distractions. Some of her favorite books include Station Eleven, Unaccustomed Earth, and Cloud Atlas.

Thalmus

Brain Trainer

Thalmus, who is from Ashburn, Virginia, graduated from Radford University with a Communications/ Journalism degree. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to Brazilian Jazz, locating new chicken wing establishments, and comedy. Friends say he has a “calm” demeanor but loves to make people laugh. To him, there is no such thing as a “loss,” as we all gain “lessons” from those tough times. “The world is too big to stay in your comfort zone. Yes, take that trip. Sign up for that class.” His favorite brain training activity is Attention Speed. “What drew me towards LearningRx was that I can be a piece in someone’s developmental puzzle, as they take life on. I’ve been blessed to have others pour into me. It’s my turn to tip the pitcher into someone else’s cup.”

Tully

Brain Trainer

Tully majored in Psychology and minored in Japanese at Virginia Tech. He lives in Arlington, Virginia. His hobbies include physical fitness training, gaming, and writing. His favorite brain training activity is Reasoning Brain Cards. Tully enjoys helping children, especially the “underdog”. A couple of books he read recently are The Reason for Truth and 12 Rules of Life.

Sophie

Brain Trainer

Sophie is an Ashburn, VA native. She has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a strong passion for pursuing a career in medicine. In her free time, you can find Sophie reading, painting, or out on a walk. Friends often describe Sophie as compassionate, clever, and patient — which are qualities ” I hope to successfully apply in personal and professional settings!” A fun fact about Sophie — she plays the piano! Her favorite LearningRx game is Memory Digits because it’s a great way to test how quickly your memory improves, and there are many ways to switch it up with the students to make it more invigorating. “Oh, and I also like ‘Spot It‘ — because I like to win!” One of Sophie’s favorite quotes states, “At the end of the day, it’s night.” It’s a simple reminder that perspective is everything, especially when facing life’s ups and downs.