Meet the Team
Pearl Center for Learning Staff Bio’s:
Kim Long
MA in Middle Level Language Arts
Before joining the Pearl Center in 2025 as a teacher, tutor, and therapist, I spent nearly 29 years in public education as a teacher and instructional coach. I retired to focus on my family and homeschool my child—who also attends the Pearl Center. I am passionate about helping students discover new ways of learning, build confidence, recognize their strengths, and develop lifelong skills. In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and continuing my own lifelong learning journey.
Terra Julian
BS in Psychology; CET
In the past 20 years, I’ve moved 8 times to include 3 different countries and 4 different states. After my husband retired from the USMC, we settled down with our two daughters in Greenville, South Carolina. I have been an educational therapist since 2023 and joined The Pearl Center for Learning in 2025. What I love most about what I do is helping students become independent learners. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with our dog, bible study and being outside.
Lisa Clark
Bachelor’s of Arts
I have worked in the field of education for over 25 years. I’ve been managing the Pearl Center’s office and assisting the director since October 2016. The students in classes think I’m the principal. Shhh, don’t tell them I’m not. When I’m not at Pearl, I enjoy spending time with my husband and adult children, going for rides in the country, and traveling to places I’ve never been.
Suzanne Ringger
Master’s in Education; PCET
After having spent 22 years as director of the Pearl Center, I am transitioning to using the Feuerstein methods with adults who want to strengthen their thinking and memory. I will continue to work with women at Miracle Hill’s Renewal program and plan to work with those whose brains have been affected by chemotherapy. I look forward to spending more time with family and pursuing other hobbies and interests.
Mary Ellen DeGarmo
BS in Elementary Education; PCET
Before coming to the Pearl Center in 2008, I taught in private schools for 10 years and homeschooled my three children for 16 years. Helping my students grow cognitively and socially is one of the main reasons for loving what I do at the Center. I love the color blue, spending time with my family, reading, and drinking hot tea.
Lauren Kirk
BS in Special Education; PCET
As a former public school teacher and an educational therapist at the Pearl Center since 2014, I am passionate about building relationships with students and leading them to become more confident, independent learners. I also enjoy spending time with my family, playing the piano, singing in my church’s choir, and running road races with my husband.
Noelle Knudson
MA in Educational Therapy; PCET
I joined the Pearl Center team in 2007. Working with learners who need a novel approach to help them achieve their goals makes this the most gratifying job. Helping to restore hope and joy for learning is my primary goal for each student. When I’m not at the Pearl Center you’ll find me baking granola, seeing the world with family, or planning a party for my nieces and nephews.
Linda Driscoll
MA in Educational Ministry; PCET
I have been an educational therapist since 2008, with previous experience in Christian education over 30 years. I love working one on one with students who have learning challenges and see them grow through their time at Pearl. I enjoy reading, scrapbooking, and traveling, having lived in Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Indonesia as an adult.
Charity Swanson
BS in Elementary Education & Special Education; PCET
I’ve been an educator in private, public, and homeschool settings for more than 30 years. In 2013 I joined the Pearl Center team as an educational therapist, and in 2024 became the Director of Programs. It’s a joy to come alongside families who are passionate about seeing their students succeed, and it’s an exciting experience to see students become better thinkers and independent learners. When I’m not at the Pearl Center, I enjoy traveling, babysitting my grandkids, and eating Mexican food!
Tiffany Hangen
MA in Literacy; PCET
After being in some form of education for over 20 years, I joined the Pearl Center for Learning staff in 2020. After I saw how NILD and FIE helped my son, I wanted to help other students learn these same tools so they could also be successful. When I’m not at Pearl, I love spending time with my husband, 3 kids and 3 dogs.
Rosemary Houston
BA in Early Childhood & Elementary Education; PCET
Before joining The Pearl Center in 2020, I taught elementary school students for 4 years and then enjoyed homeschooling my own sons for 15 years. I delight in helping students capture those “Ah-Ha!” moments while offering NILD therapy and FIE mediation! A few of my favorite things are exercising, observing nature and sports, relaxing on the beach, studying God’s Word, and spending time with my family.
Theresa Mettee
BS in Science & Natural Resources; CET
Before coming to the Pearl Center and serving as a Math Aide in 2023, I homeschooled my children for 10 years. Now, I’m excited to work as an educational therapist and math teacher. I look forward to helping each student I work with become a confident and independent learner. When not working at the Pearl Center, I enjoy spending time with my family (my husband, three children, and two dogs), volunteering as a pre-teen small group leader at my church and with my son’s high school football team, and meeting with friends for coffee.
Beverley Furrow
MA in Exceptional Student Education; PCET
With over 35 years as an educator, I came to Pearl first as a parent before 2002, and now as an experienced therapists and co-owner. What I most enjoy about therapy is watching students’ lives change through the power of cognitive development. When I’m not working with students I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, playing in the yard, painting, and reading historical fiction.
John Furrow
PhD in Educational Leadership
Before joining the Pearl Center team in 2024 as co-owner, I served as an educator and school administrator for over 35 years. Having had the opportunity to be the parent of a Pearl student, and spouse of an educational therapist, I have been amazed at the transformational work of NILD and FIE in helping students reach their full God-given potential. I am a bit of an educational nerd, enjoying reading research and teaching graduate school classes with a cup of coffee.
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