Your child isn’t the problem. The gap is.

Digital lessons built around what your child needs, with stories and games connected to what they love.

Whether your child is struggling to read, falling behind in math, or making A's without really understanding, I look for where they get stuck, teach the next step, and check whether they can use it on their own. For elementary, middle, and high school students.

Two founding spots, free for 30 days. Nothing renews automatically.

I personally review every founding student's work.

The goalWhat your child needs to learn
The stories and gamesWhat your child enjoys
The next stepWhat their work shows

Who it helps

Does this sound like your child?

For students who are struggling, students who’ve tried everything, and students whose good grades hide a gap.

Why another tutor may not be enough

You've already tried the usual fixes.

The tutor who helped with tonight's homework. The worksheets. The app with points and badges. Grades went up for a while, then the same struggle came back. Or nothing seemed to help at all.

The usual fixes treat the symptom. The Learner Project looks for the cause.

Why I built this

I know what it looks like when grades hide the gap.

Merissa Wilson
Ms. MerissaMerissa Wilson, founder of The Learner Project

My daughter made straight A's in middle and high school. Then she got to college and struggled. She had learned to memorize well enough to pass, and college asked her to understand.

That's when I saw that a report card can't tell you whether a child truly knows something. I started building learning tools for my own children, and The Learner Project grew from that work.

My goal is a child who can explain what they learned, use it somewhere new, and teach it to someone else. That's the standard every lesson is held to. I've worked with children for more than 20 years, including more than five years in ABA.

Made personal

Your child’s interests belong
in the lesson.

Before I build anything, I learn what your child loves. Then I put it into the stories they read and the games they play, so practice feels like theirs.

Pick an interest to see the same reading skill in a different story.
A courtside story
Sample reading activity

The unexpected pass

Maya usually passed to the same teammate. During the game, a defender moved to block that pass. Maya spotted Jordan alone in the corner and sent the ball to Jordan instead.

Why did Maya change where she passed?

First, notice the change: a defender blocked the usual pass. Then connect it to the next detail: Jordan was open. Together, those details explain why Maya chose a different pass.

Next, your child tries a new story with less help: find the problem and what the character did about it.

A woodland story
Sample reading activity

Pip takes the high path

Rain filled the low path beside the creek. Pip watched the water cover the stones where she usually crossed. She turned and led her cubs up the hill.

Why did Pip lead her cubs up the hill?

First, notice the problem: water covered the usual crossing. Then connect it to Pip’s choice to go uphill. The details support an answer about avoiding the flooded path, rather than simply saying that Pip likes hills.

Next, your child tries a new story with less help: find the problem and what the character did about it.

An off-world story
Sample reading activity

Nova follows the sunlight

Nova’s rover used sunlight to charge. Inside a dark tunnel, its battery fell to one bar. Nova guided the rover back toward the sunny ridge.

Why did Nova guide the rover toward the ridge?

First, notice what the rover needs: sunlight to charge. Then connect its low battery with the sunny ridge. Those details explain Nova’s decision to leave the dark tunnel.

Next, your child tries a new story with less help: find the problem and what the character did about it.

Same skill, different worlds. In each story, your child connects details to explain why a character made a choice. Only the setting changes.

These are sample stories written for this page, not screenshots from real lessons. Nothing you click here is saved or scored.

Your child’s interests decide what the stories and games are about. The skill they need decides what they practice, and their work decides what comes next.

Purposeful play

A skill to practice.
A world to explore.

A companion, checkpoints, and small rewards make practice feel like an adventure. Every question still practices the skill your child is working on.

Try it: choose Fox or Panda, read the question, and pick the word that answers it to unlock the next platform.

Games are for practice. To see what your child can really do, I also check with new questions, without help, and again a few weeks later.

This is a short sample built for this page, and nothing is saved. Your child's games are built around what they love and what they're learning.

School QuestPractice example
QUESTION

Which story word means a person or animal in the story?

Pick the right word to unlock the next platform.

Turn on JavaScript to play this sample.

Points are just for practice. They don't measure what your child has mastered.

Why it matters now

The world is changing. Memorizing isn't enough anymore.

Answers are easier to get than ever. A phone can solve a math problem or summarize a chapter in seconds. What your child needs now is the ability to think. That means figuring out what a question is really asking, explaining why an answer is right, catching their own mistakes, and using what they know in a situation they've never seen.

That's critical thinking, and it's what The Learner Project is built to teach.

The method

Digital lessons and learning games, adjusted by a real person.

Your child learns at home, at their own pace, through digital lessons and learning games that practice the skills in their plan. I create every lesson, and I review their completed work and adjust their plan as they go. Each lesson shows the thinking, gives practice with help, and then asks your child to try new questions without hints. Later checks help me see what they can still use. The digital lessons aren't live. For children learning to read, live reading and phonics sessions are a separate option.

I use ABA teaching techniques to break skills into small steps, give the right amount of help, and step back as your child gets more confident. Lessons also draw on teaching methods backed by education research. This is academic learning support, not ABA therapy.

Find the real breakdown

I look for where learning actually breaks down: understanding what was read, vocabulary, reasoning, following steps, remembering, or using a skill somewhere new. If reading the words themselves is the problem, we'll talk about separate live reading support.

Teach the thinking first

Before asking for answers, lessons show your child what to notice, why it matters, and what to do next. Then the help steps back, a little at a time.

Check it without help

I ask your child to explain, compare, correct mistakes, and use the skill later without being walked through every step.

Explain it in their own words

I pay attention to whether your child can say why an answer is right, not just give the answer.

More than tutoring

A learning system, not another quick fix.

What you may noticeHow I approach it
Homework is finished, but your child still needs help with similar questions.I look for the step they don't understand and teach it.
Your child loses interest in practice.I use their interests in stories, examples, and games while keeping the skill as the goal.
Your child gets an answer right with help.I check what they can do without hints, then check again later.
Your child's needs change as the work gets harder.I use their work to adjust the plan.

What parents receive

A clear view of what is happening, not just a score.

My updates explain your child's progress in plain language and help you see:

  • What your child can do on their own
  • Where they still need help
  • What I'll teach or check next

This is a sample, not a real student record.

Want updates like this about your child?

Apply for a founding spot
Sample parent update

Here’s the gap I found behind the word problems.

Your child could do the math once the numbers were pulled out of the word problem. The trouble started when there was more to read. Next, we'll work on math words, breaking long questions into parts, and explaining which operation to use and why.

  • Strength: solves the math accurately
  • Gap: figuring out what the question is asking
  • Next: say which operation to use, and why, before solving
A lesson in The Learner Project
A lesson
A learning game in The Learner Project
A learning game

Subjects

Reading, math, and science, taught for understanding.

The work can start in one subject, but I watch for patterns across subjects. Reading affects word problems. Vocabulary affects science. High school support focuses on remembering what they learn, reading-heavy classes, science reasoning, and math foundations.

Reading and ELAunderstanding what they read, vocabulary, spelling, finding evidence
Mathnumber sense, word problems, reasoning
Sciencemodels, data, vocabulary, explaining with evidence
Learning to read (live)sounding out words, reading aloud, reading smoothly

Ways to learn

Digital lessons, live reading help, and homework and class support.

Tell me what you're looking for. Not every subject and grade is open yet, so I'll confirm what's available for your child, along with fit and pricing, before you enroll.

Core program

Personalized digital program

A starting skills check, a plan built for your child, lessons, learning games, later skill checks, and my review of their work. Covers reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, math, and science.

Ask about the digital program
Separate paid option

Live reading and phonics sessions

For children learning to read. Sounding out words, reading aloud, and reading smoothly, with feedback on the spot.

Ask about availability.

Express interest in live reading
Separate paid option

Homework and class support

Share your child's syllabus or class schedule. I build lessons that follow their classes through the semester or year, and I reteach the parts they don't understand, with the goal of helping them do the work on their own. I don't do the homework for them.

Ask about availability.

Express interest in class support

How it starts.

  1. Step 1Parent intake

    You share what you're seeing at home and school.

  2. Step 2Starting skills check

    I look at how your child thinks through problems and explains answers.

  3. Step 3Personal plan

    I build a plan around your child's needs and interests.

  4. Step 4Teach and check again

    I teach the next skill, then check that your child understands it, remembers it, and can use it somewhere new.

Questions parents ask

Straight answers.

What is The Learner Project?

A personalized digital learning program built around your child's needs. The goal is for your child to understand what they're learning, use it on their own, and explain how they got their answers.

Who is it for?

Elementary, middle, and high school students who need extra support in reading, vocabulary, spelling, math, science, or a mix of subjects. That includes children who struggle with reading, children falling behind in math, children who've tried everything, and children whose good grades hide a gap.

What makes it different?

A wrong answer doesn't always tell the whole story. A child might not know the skill, might misunderstand the directions, or might get stuck on the reading. I look beyond the score to find where learning breaks down. A child struggling with fractions, for example, may first need help understanding equal parts. Your child's work then guides what comes next: a different explanation, more practice, or a new challenge.

How do you figure out what my child needs?

I start with what you share and with short activities aimed at the skills you're concerned about. I look at what your child can do on their own, where they get stuck, and what kind of help moves them forward. Schoolwork you choose to share can help guide the plan too.

Is every child doing the same lessons?

No. Each child gets a customized plan. Two children in the same grade may need different starting points, explanations, and practice.

Are there live sessions?

The digital program isn't live. Your child does lessons and activities at home on a laptop or tablet with an internet connection. I review their completed work and contact you about progress or concerns. For children learning to read, live reading and phonics sessions are offered separately. Ask about availability.

How much time does it take?

Lessons are short, and learning games give extra practice on the skills in your child's plan. You don't need to teach the lessons. Your part is making sure they get done. Once I know your child, I'll suggest a weekly rhythm.

Is it all games?

No. Lessons and practice come first. Learning games are included when they practice the skill your child is working on.

Will my child actually enjoy it?

That's the goal. I build lessons around what your child already loves, from the stories they read to the examples in their math and the themes of their games. If something isn't clicking, I change it.

What if my child gets the right answer by guessing?

One right answer doesn't mean a skill is understood. Follow-up questions, showing their work, and similar problems help check whether your child really understands.

Can this help when reading affects other subjects?

Yes. Reading difficulties can make word problems, science questions, and even directions harder. Your child's plan can address those connected needs.

My child has an IEP, ADHD, or dyslexia. Can they join?

Possibly. Tell me what helps your child learn and what support they already receive, and we'll talk about fit. This is academic learning support. It doesn't diagnose, and it doesn't replace school services or therapy. For a child who is still learning to sound out words, live reading and phonics sessions may be the better fit.

What if my child needs help sounding out words?

Tell me during intake. Understanding what you read and sounding out words are different skills, and they need different kinds of teaching. We can talk about whether live reading and phonics sessions are a good fit, if spots are available.

Will I know how my child is doing?

Yes. I review completed work and share updates on progress, areas that still need support, and next steps. You can share concerns along the way too.

Is this ABA therapy?

No. I use ABA teaching techniques to break skills into small steps, give the right amount of help, and step back as your child gets more confident. The Learner Project is academic learning support, not ABA therapy. It doesn't replace school, therapy, or special education services.

How do I ask about class support or another service?

These are separate paid services. Check the ones you're interested in on the waitlist form, and I'll confirm availability, what's included, and the price before you decide. Expressing interest doesn't enroll or charge you.

How does the free pilot work?

The first pilot includes two students for 30 days at no cost, and each gets a customized learning plan. Before your child starts, we'll put their included subjects and support in writing. Before the pilot ends, I'll share what I recommend and the price. Every plan is built around your child, so the price depends on what they need. You're free to stop at the end of the pilot, and nothing renews automatically.

What happens after I apply?

I'll reply by email within 48 to 72 hours. If it looks like a good fit, we'll set up a short call before anything starts. If it isn't the right fit right now, you're welcome to join the waitlist.

What if the pilot spots are filled?

Join the waitlist. When I consider future spots, I review the requests and may contact families whose needs fit. If I offer a spot, I'll explain what's included and any price before you decide. You can also email me with questions at thelearnerproject2026@gmail.com.

“The students who can think a problem through will be ready for whatever comes next. That’s what I want for every child I teach.” Ms. Merissa

Apply for a founding spot or join the waitlist.

The first two founding students get 30 days at no cost. That includes a starting skills check, a plan built for your child, lessons and learning games, my review of their work, and an end-of-pilot update with what I recommend. Your part is making sure your child completes their lessons on a laptop or tablet with an internet connection. Before starting, we'll agree in writing on what's included, and you'll sign a consent and privacy agreement. I'll share pricing before the pilot ends. You're free to stop then, and nothing renews automatically.

Two founding spots are open now. After you apply, I reply by email within 48 to 72 hours. If it looks like a good fit, we'll set up a short call before anything starts.

Founding spot

Apply for a founding spot

For families who want to be considered for one of the first two founding spots.

I use your child's information only to decide fit and next steps. Please don't include diagnoses or upload school records. You're welcome to tell me what supports help your child. Read the privacy note.

Application sent.

Thank you for telling me about your child. I'll review your application and reply by email within 48 to 72 hours.

Waitlist

Join the waitlist

For families who want to be considered for a future spot. I review the requests myself and may contact you if your child's needs match an opening. Joining doesn't reserve a spot or commit you to a paid plan.

I'm interested in (optional)

This helps me understand what families need. I'll confirm availability and pricing before enrollment. Expressing interest doesn't enroll or charge you.

Your information is not sold. Read the privacy note.

You're on the waitlist.

I'll review your request when considering future spots, and I may contact you if your child's needs match an opening.

Privacy note

What happens to the information you send.

When you submit a form, your answers go through a form service, Web3Forms, to my email so I can review fit and follow up. Web3Forms deletes its copy within 7 days. Child information is used only for application review, planning next steps, and program communication. Your information is not sold. To have your details deleted, email me. A full consent and privacy agreement is completed before any child starts.

Questions? Email thelearnerproject2026@gmail.com.