Page 108 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2024

Fundamental & Foundational Focus
Huntington Learning Center
story by Cherie Ward
photo courtesy of
Marla Ashley Photography
The Huntington Learning Center in Gulfport is a facility offering more than just homework help. “We start with a comprehensive academic evaluation
to assess the student's strengths and challenges,” said franchise Owner and Director Pam Pannell, Ed.D.
Through those results, a customized program is created specifically for each student’s needs. “We understand that when students come to us, they have often been struggling in school for a while,” Pannell said. “Our programs and tutors meet the students where they are so that we can build confidence along with skills and fill in any gaps they may have in their learning from previous years in school.”
With a team of 12 tutors, including the Director of Education Katie Walton, an integral part of the center’s success, the facility serves pre-kindergarten through college-age students and also has adult learners.
“I have been highly impressed with the caliber of educators that work at
our center,” Pannell said. “Their passion for educating all students merges beautifully with mine. Earning my Doctorate in Educational Leadership and having over 20 years of experience paired with this passion and the resources and support from the Huntington Learning Center corporate leaders makes owning and directing the operations of this learning center the perfect fit
for my family and me. I am looking forward to making a difference in our community by partnering with parents, schools, and organizations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to fulfill the mission of Huntington Learning Center which is to give every student the best education possible. I am excited for my own three children to reap the benefits of the prescriptive and customizable curriculum and ACT prep from the knowledgeable and experienced teachers.” Teacher collaboration is a big part of the center’s curriculum.
“We offer every family that enrolls in our center the option of having us reach out to their child's school and teacher so that we can collaborate and make sure that we are making the right Huntington and school connections and that we are hitting all of the foundational skills the student needs to be successful at their current grade level,” she said.
Parent involvement and keeping them updated with newsletters is just as important. “When students are enrolled, we meet with parents regularly to discuss their child's progress and give suggestions of things they can do at home to help motivate their child,” she said, adding homework services and college test preparations are also offered at the center.
Owner and Director Pam Pannell, Ed.D.
Huntington Learning
Center Gulfport
8950 Lorraine Rd., Ste. E, Gulfport 228.832.1226 | www.huntingtonhelps.com
108 | August 2024
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