Happy hive tutoring
"Our goal is to become the trusted local leader in early literacy intervention, known for nurturing confident readers and supporting families with clarity, expertise, and care."
-Founder, Lisa Holdener
Our Journey &
Commitment to Excellence
The Beginning • 2015
Rooted in the Classroom
My educational journey began as a substitute teacher in elementary schools for just over four years. I acknowledge the blessing that I was given to be able to stay at home with my two sons until they were both in elementary school. Substitute teaching in our local schools allowed me to be the mother that I wanted to be, but also allowed me transition back into the workforce. As soon as both of my children were in school full-day, I began my career as a full-time first grade teacher. Above all else, I took great pride in building a safe and academically rich classroom by embracing a climate of kindness, building self-confidence, and building the foundational skills needed to read. I embraced the challenge, accountability, and thoroughly enjoyed building relationships with my students and their families. Last year, I said goodbye to my very first first-grade class as they were promoted to middle school.
The CHANGE • 2018
The Leadership Breakthrough
In 2024, I transitioned out of the classroom and into a leadership role. Initially, it was a difficult transition, but I was quickly able to use the knowledge and skillset I used in the classroom, to not only support the first-grade team, but all grade levels at our elementary site. I've had the pleasure of leading and training eight phenomenal general education paraprofessionals on how to teach reading and best support our teachers. I'm currently the coordinator for a new after school enrichment program and the coordinator for our site's partnership with Sylvan Learning, where I make sure our students needing substantial academic support in reading or math, are participating in quality tutoring sessions. I also use our site's summative assessment data to create homogeneous small intervention groups, every thirty days, for every grade level at our site.
My greatest accomplishment is working with our English Language Learners and their families by empowering them with the knowledge and skills to be able to confidently and effectively work with their children at home. I assess the students, find their areas of need, create activities for parents to easily work with their children at home, and reassess prior to the next workshop gathering. The plan is to extend these English Language Reading Workshops to other sites within our district and branch out to other districts with the goal of empowering parents with the skills to best support their children at home.
Our Mission • Present
A Space for Every Learner
Happy Hive Tutoring was born from a desire to create a nurturing hive where every child feels capable and confident. Today, my mission is to ensure that learning is a joyful, empowering experience that helps every student flourish.
FOUNDER & EDUCATIONAL LEADER
Meet Your Tutor
With over six years of classroom experience and a background in designing K–6 intervention systems, I am dedicated to helping every student flourish. I believe early literacy is the key to lifetime confidence, and my mission is to make learning a joyful, empowering experience in the comfort of a home.
The Foundation of My Expertise
Trust is built on transparency and specialized skills. My background brings together years of rigorous academic study and dedicated classroom experience, ensuring your child receives the most effective, research-based literacy support available.
Academic Degrees
Teaching Credentials
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with coursework in early child development.
Certified multi-subject educator with specialized courses in literacy, small groups, and first grade classroom leadership experience.
Literacy Training
Professional Growth
Specialized practitioner in structured literacy interventions for all learners.
Continuous engagement in professional development, focusing on dyslexia support, fluency strategies, and student motivation research.
Our Approach to Early Literacy
Nurturing Environment
Evidence-Based
Child-Centered
We create a joyful, safe space where children feel empowered to take risks and grow their skills.
Specializing in foundational phonics, fluency, and comprehension using proven intervention systems.
Tailoring every lesson to your child’s unique pace, interests, and curiosity.
Let’s Learn Together
Are you ready to learn more about supporting your child’s literacy journey?
Contact me today to discuss your child’s academic needs!