About Integrative Learning

Based in Encinitas, CA, Integrative Learning provides assessments and one-to-one services to children with a wide range of learning disabilities. Founded by Elena Mendoza, Integrative Learning is dedicated to helping your child foster a sense of pride and confidence in his or her ability to read and learn. We take pride in researching the best programs available and bringing them to our students.

With over 20 years of experience in the educational therapy field, we have mastered the art of understanding how each student learns differently.  Connecting with each child’s brain, we uncover the specific strengths and weaknesses that allow us to develop a customized lesson plan. Because we know that strengths and weakness are constantly changing, we’re always adjusting our lesson plans to fit a student’s needs.

Meet the Team

Simon and Sophie Rey

Integrative Learning Mascots

Hello, my name is Simon with a black and white coat and my sister, Sophie Rey, is brown with blue eyes. Both of us are Miniature Schnauzers, but not to worry, we don’t shed and are allergy-free. When you come to the office we will probably be the first to greet you. We have several toys, so please find some and play with us. Sometimes we just like to cuddle, all depending on if we had our morning nap.

​Elena Mendoza

Owner

Elena began her career working for Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes® during graduate school, and went on to train clinicians in their learning centers across the country. She later became a consultant for Lindamood-Bell®, overseeing the training for their programs in public schools. In 1998 Elena founded a private enterprise assisting students with learning differences in Georgia. Elena returned to San Diego in 2008 and founded Integrative Learning, LLC. Also trained in Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Language Training®, Elena has been on the forefront of the dyslexia and hyperlexia arena over the past decade and a half. In 2008 Elena was invited to serve on the Board of Directors for the International Dyslexia Association, San Diego Branch.   In 2012, while serving on the IDA Executive Board of Directors, she Co-Chaired the 3rd Annual Spring Conference – Dyslexia: Understand & Interventions.

​Patricia Rundblade

Assistant Director

Patricia Rundblade brings over fifteen years of public education experience to the Integrative Learning team. She holds California Teaching Credentials in Special Education and Educational Administration. Patricia’s passion for teaching grows from a place close to her heart. Her determination and navigation of her son’s educational experience with learning disabilities, helped foster her passion for helping others succeed in school and life.
When she’s not working with students, Patricia teaches courses on creating vision boards, and building healthy lives and relationships. She is a published author of books on personal development.

Meagan Doherty

Speech-language Pathologist

Meagan is a licensed speech-language pathologist who holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has over six years of experience working in pediatrics and received her masters degree from Worcester State University in 2013. Since then she has worked with children in multiple settings including private and public schools and outpatient rehabilitation. Meagan has a passion for working with children with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, and complex communication needs .She has experience evaluating and treating children in the areas of receptive and expressive language, social language, feeding disorders, fluency, literacy, and articulation/phonology. Meagan moved from Boston to California earlier this year. Outside of work you can find Meagan running on the beach or spending time with her new puppy Ella.

Peggy Aveni

Instructor

Peggy Aveni taught for over 30 years, specializing in learning disabilities and autism with an emphasis in reading. Seeing her students develop strategies and skills while instilling confidence and the desire to engage in reading inspires Peggy to work with students of any age. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and walking on the beach. She also likes spending time with her friends and family.

Erica Palmer

Instructor

Erica received her multiple subject teaching credential from Cal Poly State University. After graduation, she picked up and moved to Vietnam where she taught students ranging from preschool to high school. When she moved back to sunny California, she taught math and science for four years. Throughout her time teaching in the classroom, Erica has tutored math to students from elementary school to high school. She loves seeing the light bulb go off when students begin to understand concepts that once were challenging to them. Her biggest goal is to have all students build the confidence in themselves and their capabilities.

Joanna Barankiewicz

Instructor

Joanna Barankiewicz is very excited to be re-joining the Integrative Learning team! Joanna has a Teaching Credential and a Master’s degree in Special Education. She has previously taught in both public and private K-12 schools and worked as an accommodations coordinator/counselor at a university. Joanna loves building positive relationships with students of all ages. In addition to her role at Integrative Learning, Joanna works as a special education assessment teacher at a local school district. Joanna was born and raised in Poland. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and camping with her husband and almost five-year-old daughter and feels at home in nature. Joanna loves photography, experimenting in the kitchen, reading, as well as swimming.

Elizabeth Lane

Instructor

​Elizabeth was born and raised in San Diego where she met and tutored with Elena after being diagnosed with dyslexia in 8th grade and is so glad to be back again. She left the beaches for the corn fields and graduated from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa in 2019 where she majored in both Psychology and Spanish. Throughout her time there she had various experiences working with children ranging from being a mentor through Big Brother Big Sister, teaching 3rd and 4th graders Spanish, acting as the student chair of the Spanish department Student Education Policy Committee, tutoring through the Liberal Arts in Prison Program, and working with students and children in a variety of settings through her research positions. Additionally, she is very passionate about mental health and has worked as a sexual assault advocate for students as well as ran the NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) club on campus. After seeing what a difference the Educational Therapy made in her life, she is excited to help other students find the same benefits as well!
In addition to her academic pursuits, she loves spending time with people, hiking, biking, swimming, diving, surfing, and kayaking. Ask her about her past 6 months as a kayak and snorkel tour guide in the La Jolla Cove area!

Kelton Blakley

Yoga Instructor

I am 13 years old but I am not a normal 13-year-old because I am a yoga teacher. I have been doing yoga for about two years and teaching for one. I was certified on  January 13, 2019 for tots & teens. I am on my long journey to becoming a certified teacher and will finish my second training in April. This is a 200-hour course and I will be qualified to teach adults. I don’t just have a passion for yoga but have one for drama, acting, theater, gymnastics, dance, etc… I am training on a team and will compete next year in gymnastics. I also love, love, love animals. I don’t know how I could live without a dog or at least a fish. I have a thing for kids. They love me and I love them. I am dyslexic and have ADHD so school is not my favorite. But yoga takes my mind off things that stress me in school. Oh, I forgot…I have a great sense of humor so don’t be surprised if I make you laugh! I hope I gave you a little something about me.

Olivia Kader

Intern

​Hello, I’m Olivia! I was born in Canada, and moved to California about 9 years ago. I am 17 years old, and I attend Torrey Pines High School. I am a Junior and loving it! After being diagnosed with Dyslexia when I was in first grade; it wasn’t until I began receiving Educational Therapy from Elena in third grade that I learned the necessary skills to read, write, and spell. During that time, we discovered that I have exceptional executive functioning skills. Having Dyslexia hasn’t always been easy; and for the longest time I didn’t want anyone to know I was dyslexic because then I would feel even more excluded. I used to feel ashamed and different from all of the other students. Today, having Dyslexia is an advantage because I can get the needed accommodations that help me succeed as a student. Just like wearing glasses; receiving accommodations was like putting glasses on for the first time and being able to see properly, just like the kids with perfect vision. Having Dyslexia has also allowed me to succeed in other areas of life, like becoming a 2-time National Medalist in Ice Skating! I am so glad Elena and I stayed in touch.