Charlotte Center

Christina is an honor graduate from the College of Education at the University of North Carolina. Originally from Upstate NY, she was a mentor, teacher, coach, and advocate for children for over 25 years. With the support of her former school, parents of students, and colleagues, she opened The Lazar Center of Charlotte in 2007. Since then she has supported hundreds of students, as they grow equally in confidence and academic achievement. Her favorite thing about her work is finding that unique key that allows her team to unlock each students’ potential.

Emma is a graduate of Furman University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music, as well as the University of Alabama, earning her Master of Music while holding a graduate teaching assistantship. In this role, Emma taught undergraduate music classes while also providing administrative support to the choral department. Emma is passionate about music, education, and administration. She looks forward to meeting and helping the students and parents at Lazar!

Zac is a final-year student at Southern New Hampshire University (Class of 2025), pursuing a B.S. in Game Development and Programming. He began his academic journey at Furman University, studying Chemistry and Spanish. With previous teaching experience, Zac has helped students strengthen their academic skills through personalized support and engaging lessons. He brings a strong foundation in STEM and a creative mindset to every session, especially enjoying the process of building interactive experiences. Zac is passionate about blending technology and storytelling, and is dedicated to helping others succeed in both academics and in life!

Moria joined Lazar Center with a Bachelor’s in English and a concentration in Secondary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has over four years of classroom experience and is a dedicated educator specializing in English literature and language. She has worked with a diverse range of students, including gifted individuals, special education students, English language learners, and those considered high-risk. Her experience also includes roles as a University Teacher’s Assistant, where she supported writing-intensive computer science courses, and as a student teacher with University-affiliated organizations like Duke’s Talent Identification Program and Johns-Hopkins’s Center For Talented Youth. 

Kirston is a Maryland native, new to the Charlotte area, but not new to education! With a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Bennett College and a Certificate of Completion in Mathematics from North Carolina A&T, she believes in teaching others how to advocate for themselves in an academic setting in order to achieve their goals! Kirston currently teaches middle school math and science, and she has been a STEM tutor for over 5 years. She is thrilled to be a part of the team and is looking forward to helping your students in the near future.

Kadie West is a dedicated elementary educator with a strong background in literacy instruction. She holds a Master of Education in K-12 Literacy and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Queens University of Charlotte. Her passion for education extends to specialized training in the Orton-Gillingham approach to literacy instruction. Her student-centered tutoring approach focuses on building confidence, fostering a love for learning, and ensuring measurable growth across all content levels. With a passion for education and a commitment to student success, she brings years of experience as both a classroom teacher and a tutor.