We recently connected with Gabrielle Hennings Zoe Hemenway and have shared our conversation below.
Gabrielle Hennings, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
At H&H Learning, our mission is deeply rooted in empowering neurodiverse students to thrive with confidence. Our commitment to creating a neurodiverse-affirming environment goes beyond just teaching—it’s about connection and understanding. We prioritize building rapport with each student, recognizing that confidence grows from relationships that celebrate their individuality. If a student connects by spinning and talking about Dora, we join in, becoming experts right alongside them, because we know that honoring their interests is the foundation of meaningful connection and self-confidence.
Our mission is deeply personal because we know from experience that confidence doesn’t happen by chance—it’s cultivated with care. Both of us chose to become educators after personally experiencing the impact of not being supported in the ways we needed as students. This understanding drives our commitment to ensure that no student feels overlooked or misunderstood. We’re dedicated to providing the kind of nurturing environment that builds confidence, celebrates individual strengths, and empowers students to embrace their unique abilities. It’s not just about teaching—it’s about giving students the support we once needed ourselves.
We design our approach to foster this confidence in ways that suit each student’s unique needs:
– Metacognitive Questioning helps students understand their own thought processes, giving them a sense of control and autonomy in their learning.
– Thinking Time allows them the space to reflect and engage thoughtfully, building trust in their own ability to respond.
– Celebrating Progress—both big and small—reinforces their belief in their capabilities.
– Embracing Challenges helps them see difficulties as growth opportunities, developing resilience and reinforcing their confidence.
– Building a Supportive Environment ensures they feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes.
We know that confidence looks different for every student, and by honoring their unique strengths and challenges, we help them discover their potential. At the heart of our mission is the belief that every student deserves to be recognized as an individual and to flourish in their own way. This is why our work matters so deeply to us.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
With a combined 14 years of dedication to education, we’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique needs of neurodiverse learners. Our journey into this field stems from a shared passion for providing students with the kind of support we felt was missing in our own educational experiences. Our approach centers on helping students develop skills through personalized, evidence-based methods to boost their confidence. As lifelong learners ourselves, we continually pursue ongoing education to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date and effective support for our students.
At H&H Learning, we offer a range of services to meet the diverse needs of students, from preschool to college. Our services include homeschooling, educational remediation, and kindergarten readiness, all designed to empower students to thrive both academically and personally.
Our homeschool program provides a personalized alternative to traditional schooling, using an accredited curriculum tailored to each student’s specific learning needs. This is ideal for students who benefit from 1:1 support, allowing us to target foundational skills while boosting their confidence. By integrating remedial programs into our homeschool offerings, we ensure that each student receives the support they need to strengthen critical areas like reading, writing, and math.
Our educational remediation services focus on building foundational learning skills through research-backed methods such as Orton-Gillingham, Visualizing and Verbalizing (V/V), Woodin Math, and Great Leaps. Whether your student is struggling with reading, math, or executive functioning, we target their specific needs while promoting a growth mindset and self-confidence. Our multi-sensory teaching techniques and compassionate guidance create an environment where students can overcome challenges and build lifelong learning skills.
We offer a kindergarten readiness program that helps children build essential skills before starting school. Our approach emphasizes early literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and fine motor skills. By providing engaging, play-based activities and personalized support, we help students develop the confidence and abilities they need to thrive in kindergarten. Our goal is to nurture a love for learning while building the foundational skills that are important for success in school.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach to education. We integrate not only academic skills but also executive functioning, emotional regulation, and social skill development, providing students with a comprehensive toolkit for success in and out of the classroom. We work closely with families, developing personalized Learning Roadmaps and providing weekly progress updates to ensure that everyone is involved in the student’s journey.
We are proud of the positive impact we’ve had on our students, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a love for learning. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
We first met while working together at a learning center, where we spent two years building a strong professional relationship. During that time, we bonded over our shared passion for celebrating the strengths of neurodiverse students—and, of course, our love for all things Bravo! In April 2023, when the opportunity to open our own learning center presented itself, we jumped at the chance, turning a lifelong dream into reality. Now, a little more than a year in, we couldn’t be happier with the decision to embark on this journey together!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
One of the most effective strategies for growing our clientele at H&H Learning has been building strong, collaborative relationships with both students and their families. From the start, we embraced a hands-on approach to running our business, taking on multiple roles, from web design to human resources, while ensuring high-quality educational services. A key factor in our growth has been our commitment to working closely with parents as part of each student’s support team. By actively involving families in the learning process, attending IEP meetings, helping them navigate self-determination funds, and advocating for more supportive learning environments, we’ve built trust and a reputation for personalized care. This approach, combined with word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied families, has been instrumental in expanding our client base.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hhlearningcenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hhlearning_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556983264133
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hhlearning
