About Us
"Thank you, MEC group! You truly got to know our boys' personalities and learning styles, and helped us find the perfect independent elementary school environment where they have flourished, academically and socially. Now, a few years later, we're starting the high school application process, and we feel confident, knowing that we'll have support from the MEC group throughout the process."
-S.K., parent of 6th & 9th graders
Theodra Washington
Theodra Washington (Certified Educational Planner) has over twenty years of experience working with the independent school admission process, with five spent as the Associate Director of Lower and Middle School Admission at Sidwell Friends School. With more than twenty years of experience working with public and private school students from preschool through high school, Theodra’s roles have ranged from school-wide diversity coordinator, physical education teacher and athletic department head, varsity volleyball coach, health instructor, NAACP parent representative, and parent advocate. Theodra has also worked in schools with special needs students and with nonprofit organizations for underprivileged children. She consults with a unique variety of schools and programs across the Washington, DC area, providing program-wide support in classroom design, accessibility, and best practices. She holds a BS from Florida A&M University, and was featured in articles about DC-area Educational Consultants in the Washingtonian Magazine and in Washington Business Journal. Theodra is also a Professional Member of IECA. Watch this video to learn how IECA members help families with the independent school search.
THEODRA WASHINGTON
Jennifer (Jen) Hursey
Jennifer (Jen) Hursey, M.ED. holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia, an M. ED. in Special Education from Lesley University, where she trained within the Lesley-Brookline Schools Collaborative and is a dual-certified teacher in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education. Jen began her career in education as preschool teacher in Fayetteville, GA. Since her first teaching job, Jen has worked as a service provider in an independent school for students with learning disabilities; taught kindergarten, first, and fourth grades; served as a learning specialist in a K-8 school and then a 5-8 middle school; provided behavioral consulting and behavior therapy supervision for early intervention services in Massachusetts; provided admissions and diagnostic evaluation services and supports across lifespan (preschool through adult) in a multi-disciplinary private practice in Washington, DC. Jen applies her expertise to support MEC-Group clients as they navigate educational decisions and draws on her years of experience to provide referrals and support to empower clients.
JEN HURSEY
Brandon Washington
Brandon is uniquely talented and gifted when working with young people. His primary focus and support is primarily with our non-profit partner, Emerging Scholars. Brandon holds a B.S. in Sociology and a Minor in Broadcast Journalism from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL.
Brandon began his teaching career as a middle school teacher, in Lake County Public Schools in Central Florida. In addition to teaching Middle School social studies and civics, and teaching as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher, Brandon has worked to support teachers with the development and implementation of curriculums supporting students requiring non-standard education plans. Brandon’s work has included writing and helping to administer student’s Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and 504 (educational accommodation) plans. He has experience with administering state & county mandated trainings and exams, as well as independent school admissions and evaluation test.
Brandon has served as an assistant basketball and football coach, mentored students (Big Brothers of the Bend) and operated online blogs.His organizations and trainings include: National Association of Black Journalist, NAACP, SSAT Flex Test Administrator, Classroom Management, Suicide Prevention, Stewarts of Children (Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse), Project Crises, CPR, First Aid Certified.
Brandon’s greatest asset is his love for and dedication for what he does, his focus is always on getting to know his students and making a personal connection that allows him to truly be a part of helping to enhance the educating and growth of the child/student.
BRANDON WASHINGTON