Teacher shifts gears, aids children in how to learn

Bellini, a Woodlands native, graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in education, graduating at the same time as her mother, Beth Buzbee, with whom she would eventually co-found The Woodlands LearningRx in 2008.

After stints at Giesinger Elementary and Austin Elementary, she decided to leave the classroom setting and focus her efforts on teaching students better strategies for learning.

“I had been a little disenchanted with the classroom because I felt like a lot of times there is something under the surface that I couldn’t fix as a teacher, that I wasn’t equipped to fix,” Bellini said. “Frankly, I was not really responsible for fixing because all kids come with different tools. I was always looking for different ways to improve that toolbox.”

Even though The Woodlands LearningRx has blossomed into a successful business, Bellini is not yet finished with her own education, as she will soon be finishing her master’s degree in reading from Sam Houston State.

“Helping kids with reading difficulties is a passion of mine,” Bellini said.

In July, Bellini and The Woodlands LearningRx launched a new group program called QuickWitz, developed by a franchisee in South Carolina, which aims to improve senior citizens’ cognitive skills.

Bellini describes the new program as a way for seniors to stay mentally active in a way that many hobbies and activities do not allow, and working in groups can be more comfortable for the seniors than the LearningRx’s individualized approach.

“It can be hard to get out of your comfort zone sometimes to do one-on-one training because it can be pretty intense,” Bellini said. “She actually developed this group program that has a lot of the same foundations and theories that our one-on-one programs have, but it’s in a less threatening group environment.”

Although it does not have all the advantages of their traditional program, Bellini says it can still be a more-than-adequate substitute.

“Ideally, we would like some of the participants to do the one-on-one training because that’s where you get your optimum benefit,” Bellini said. “But when you’re looking at doing something to help maintain your skills, this group setting is a great way to do that.”

About Kim Bellini
Age: 35
Occupation: Co-owner of The Woodlands LearningRx
Community Connection: Resident of The Woodlands
Fast Fact: Member of Montgomery County Association of Business Women

Chris Marshall is a freelance writer. He can reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.