We recently connected with Jess Arce and have shared our conversation below.

Jess, appreciate you joining us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

There are so many heartwarming stories I could share about students I have worked with personally, as well as students my staff have helped. We are in the business of changing lives!

When I first moved to California from Las Vegas back in 2014, I didn’t intend on continuing tutoring. After all, I had only started tutoring to help my son learn to read and spell well, and he was well on his way. Since the cost of living in California was so much higher than in Las Vegas, I thought I needed to go back to my career as a Realtor. God/Higher Power had different plans for me. His plan was not only for me to continue to help students struggling because of their learning challenges but to also make it my new career.

It began with a young lady who we shall call Mia. She was 18 years old when her mother, Penelope, reached out to me because a mutual friend gave her my number. Mom was concerned about Mia not being able to read beyond a third-grade level and her absolute inability to spell words more advanced than a first-grade level. I referred Penelope to a Dyslexia Screener who tested Mia and judged Penelope for not doing anything about the issue sooner. Penelope felt judged and ashamed. She was doing the best she knew how to do, raising two other children on her own because their father had passed away just a few years earlier, unexpectedly.

With a newfound diagnosis of Dyslexia, Penelope begged me for weeks to tutor her daughter. She didn’t want to send her to a tutor who would pass more judgment on her daughter’s almost crippling abilities. Having been a homeschool mom myself, I understood the scrutiny we all experienced just for making the decision to give my own children what I felt were the best academic opportunities. This mom had to contend with the fact that under her care, her child was illiterate in all academic subject matters. After several weeks of conversations with Penelope and my real estate career still not taking off, I decided to take the plunge. I didn’t take the responsibility lightly because I knew this meant I would be committing the next couple of years to helping Mia learn to read and spell.

Mom drove Mia over 1 hour each way, without traffic on the California freeways, to be tutored by me two to three days a week. We began tutoring, and I quickly realized this young woman of 18 could not count. She couldn’t add 6 + 4 and come up with the correct answer. In my mind, I was convinced that was not alright, and I suggested to Penelope that we work on her math skills as well. Penelope was so grateful.

Mia was the first student I taught math to, but she was definitely not the last. Thanks to a desire to help Mia, it led to my company offering an outstanding math tutoring program that has excited many students to become confident mathematicians over the last ten years.

I was elated to see the extraordinary progress Mia was making. She went from having a grim future where her mom needed to assist her in any endeavor to gathering the confidence to become an independent woman, able to confidently make her way in life.

Mia loved animals and wanted to volunteer at a cat sanctuary. However, the sanctuary would not allow her to volunteer without Penelope present because they were afraid she might give a cat medicine meant for a different cat. Mom had to help her with anything related to money because she couldn’t count up from one to ten. It was intense how crippled she was.

A year or so into our tutoring sessions, Mia was a new person. She became so much more confident in herself and her abilities. Not only academically, she was also able to think of a future for herself. She was now starting to drive herself to her own tutoring sessions, she was dating, and she was preparing to move out on her own. After just a few years, I helped Mia write a resume which got her gainfully employed as a cashier at Kmart. Several years later, I was pleasantly surprised to see that same resume pop up on my Google Docs, edited to say her current employment was assistant manager at Ralph’s grocery store.

Reflecting on Mia’s journey fills me with immense pride and joy. It’s stories like hers that reaffirm my commitment to this path. Each student’s success story, like Mia’s, is a testament to the incredible transformations that are possible with dedication, patience, and a lot of heart. Mia’s growth not only changed her life but also profoundly impacted mine, reinforcing my belief in the power of education and personal connection.

This experience also led me to appreciate my mother seeking out help for me when I was in elementary school. When my behavior began going downhill because I was embarrassed I couldn’t read like my classmates and was held back, her support was crucial. It made me grateful that I had the emotional and financial support to purchase and learn how to use the Barton Reading and Spelling program to help my two profoundly dyslexic children become better readers.

Seeing students go from three to five years (sometimes more) behind grade level to catching up and often surpassing their grade brings me such joy. I can honestly say that I have changed the lives of not only my husband and children but also hundreds of struggling students.

In conclusion, my journey from Las Vegas to California, from Realtor to full-time tutor, and now to director of my tutoring company, has been incredibly rewarding. Each student’s success is a victory that I cherish deeply. I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference and look forward to continuing to change lives, one student at a time.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My Life’s Mission is Empowering Neurodiverse Learners

I’m Jess Arce, the founder of 3D Learning Experts, and my journey into special education has been driven by personal experience and a deep passion for making education accessible to all. With a background that uniquely qualifies me, I am intimately familiar with the challenges faced by students with learning differences. I myself am dyslexic, my husband is dyslexic, and three of our four children have dyslexia along with various other neurodiversities, totaling nine. This personal journey has fueled my commitment to helping other families navigate similar paths.

In 2012, I began tutoring my own children to meet their unique learning needs. Recognizing a broader need for specialized education, I extended my services to other students. In 2015, I became a certified Barton Tutor and Dyslexia Screener, further enhancing my ability to support students with dyslexia and related learning challenges. Initially serving some students online even before the pandemic, I hired my first tutor in 2016. By 2020, 3D Learning Experts had grown to a dedicated team of skilled tutors, offering comprehensive support nationwide.

3D Learning Experts specializes in multisensory instruction, addressing the needs of students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Our approach is rooted in the Orton-Gillingham method, known for its effectiveness in teaching reading and spelling. In addition, we offer a robust multisensory math program and a structured writing program designed to enhance note-taking and writing skills.

I also created the “Homeschool with Confidence” series, a digital training video program that empowers parents to effectively teach their children at home using proven strategies and techniques. This series, along with our personalized tutoring services, has made a significant impact on students’ academic skills, confidence, and overall attitude toward learning.

What sets 3D Learning Experts apart is not only our specialized programs but also our deep understanding and empathy. My personal and professional background enables me to connect with students and families on a profound level, offering tailored solutions that truly resonate. This empathetic approach, combined with our dedication to continuous improvement and innovative teaching methods, distinguishes us from others in the field.

I am most proud of the measurable progress our students achieve, often surpassing their parents’ academic goals and developing a lifelong love for learning. The main message I want potential clients to know is that 3D Learning Experts is committed to providing exceptional, individualized instruction that empowers students to reach their full potential. Through dedication, expertise, and heartfelt commitment, my team and I continue to make a significant impact on the lives of many families, transforming educational challenges into triumphs.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I didn’t choose this profession; it chose me, twice. And yes, I would do it again. As a Realtor for many years, I didn’t find the work truly fulfilling. While helping people find a home is meaningful, it didn’t offer the deep sense of reward I was looking for. Transforming students from struggling in school and feeling unworthy to becoming confident and up-to-date with their peers is incredibly fulfilling.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In January 2020, we opened our first storefront for 3D Learning Experts. I had invested time, effort, and resources into creating a physical space where we could offer in-person tutoring and support to our students. Just as we made this significant leap, the COVID pandemic struck.

The pandemic brought about unprecedented challenges, and with it came the need to adapt. We had to swiftly pivot from our physical location to providing 100% online tutoring services. While this shift was unexpected, it allowed us to continue serving our students without interruption and welcome new students.

Transitioning to a fully virtual model wasn’t without its hurdles, however, it also opened up new opportunities. We expanded our reach across the United States, bringing our specialized, multisensory instruction to students nationwide. Despite the difficulties, this pivot enabled us to continue making a positive impact on students’ lives, helping them overcome their learning challenges in a completely new format.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://3DLearningExperts.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/3dlearningexperts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3DLearningExpert
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dlearningexperts
• Twitter: https://x.com/3DExperts
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@3DLearningExperts

Image Credits

Photography credit for https://www.28sunflowersphotography.com/