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the wcp team
It's About Positivity & Collaboration.
​Our founders, Dr. Mark Beitel and Dr. Dawn Matera have been working together for a decade, creating academic spaces for students who learn differently, require alternative approaches, and who benefit from creative and inspiring bridges to educational success.
meet our team
Each Member Brings Something Unique to WCP...
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co-founder
Dr. Dawn Matera, Ed.D.
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CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Mark Beitel, Ph.D.
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Executive Director
Lauren McBeth, M.Ed.
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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Todd Sudora
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DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH & DEVELOPMENT
Whitney Matera
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Lauren McBeth, M.Ed.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lauren brings 16 years of experience to the field of education.
Lauren holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and English from Keene State College and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from The University of Saint Joseph. Additionally, She holds a current dual Connecticut certification in Secondary English and Special Education. Lauren began her career teaching English in a behavioral alternative environment in Stamford while honing behavior management techniques with high school students. Before joining WCP in 2019 she taught at Winston Preparatory for 11 years and also served as the Dean of Student Life.
Lauren Lives in Norwalk with her husband, two children, her cat, Mr. Honey, and her dog, Sammy. In her free time, you can find her outside in her garden.
Fun Fact about Lauren: Most people don’t know this, but she can tap dance!
Lauren holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and English from Keene State College and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from The University of Saint Joseph. Additionally, She holds a current dual Connecticut certification in Secondary English and Special Education. Lauren began her career teaching English in a behavioral alternative environment in Stamford while honing behavior management techniques with high school students. Before joining WCP in 2019 she taught at Winston Preparatory for 11 years and also served as the Dean of Student Life.
Lauren Lives in Norwalk with her husband, two children, her cat, Mr. Honey, and her dog, Sammy. In her free time, you can find her outside in her garden.
Fun Fact about Lauren: Most people don’t know this, but she can tap dance!
Dr. Dawn Matera, Ed.D.
CO-FOUNDER
Dawn Matera is a Dr. of Education with over 25 years of experience.
She holds a BS in Psychology, a MS is Special Education and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Upon completing a teacher training program and obtaining her Connecticut State Teaching Certification, she taught complex learners, at specialty schools, including Eagle Hill and Winston Preparatory, for more than a decade. In 2008. Dr. Matera founded her first education company, A Way to Learn, which provides tutoring, executive function coaching, and test prep to students. Additionally, in 2013, she co-founded The Westport Day School, a Connecticut state-approved special education school for internalizing students in sixth through twelfth grades.
In her free time, Dr. Matera is an accomplished writer and enjoys reading, traveling, and collecting tiny dogs!
Fun Fact about Dr. Matera: Her hidden talent is interior design. One of her favorite designer brands is Serena & Lily.
She holds a BS in Psychology, a MS is Special Education and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Upon completing a teacher training program and obtaining her Connecticut State Teaching Certification, she taught complex learners, at specialty schools, including Eagle Hill and Winston Preparatory, for more than a decade. In 2008. Dr. Matera founded her first education company, A Way to Learn, which provides tutoring, executive function coaching, and test prep to students. Additionally, in 2013, she co-founded The Westport Day School, a Connecticut state-approved special education school for internalizing students in sixth through twelfth grades.
In her free time, Dr. Matera is an accomplished writer and enjoys reading, traveling, and collecting tiny dogs!
Fun Fact about Dr. Matera: Her hidden talent is interior design. One of her favorite designer brands is Serena & Lily.
Todd Sudora
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Todd holds his Associates Degree in Computer Network Operations. Todd began his career IT developing CRM software for a well-known international hotel chain. In 2013 he joined Westport Day School, a therapeutic day school serving students in grades sixth through twelfth, as the Director of Operations and still holds that position today. Along with keeping WCP running day-to-day, Todd is our in-house photographer, art teacher, 3D printer expert and all around fix-it guy.
Todd lives in Shelton with his wife and three dogs, Charlie, Cooper, and Maggie. In his free time he loves taking photos and is an accomplished landscape photographer.
Fun Fact about Todd: If he could choose one superpower it would be telekinesis/ telepathy, like Jean Gray from X-men. He’s a huge comic book nerd!
Todd lives in Shelton with his wife and three dogs, Charlie, Cooper, and Maggie. In his free time he loves taking photos and is an accomplished landscape photographer.
Fun Fact about Todd: If he could choose one superpower it would be telekinesis/ telepathy, like Jean Gray from X-men. He’s a huge comic book nerd!
Dr. Mark Beitel, Ph.D.
CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Beitel is a licensed clinical psychologist with TKTK years of experience.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Psychology Honors Program at the University of Michigan, a Master of Arts degree from the New School for Social Research, and a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University. He trained at Bellevue Hospital Center, New York University Medical Center, and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. Dr. Beitel received college-specific training in the counseling centers of Fordham University and Northern Arizona University. Post-doctoral work took place at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Beitel serves as Associate Research Scientist in the Child Study Center and as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, conducts psychotherapy research, and provides supervision to trainees ranging from college interns to medical residents. Dr. Beitel has authored or coauthored more than 60 peer reviewed scientific articles on personality, psychotherapy, substance use, chronic pain, integrative medicine, and culture.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Psychology Honors Program at the University of Michigan, a Master of Arts degree from the New School for Social Research, and a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University. He trained at Bellevue Hospital Center, New York University Medical Center, and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. Dr. Beitel received college-specific training in the counseling centers of Fordham University and Northern Arizona University. Post-doctoral work took place at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Beitel serves as Associate Research Scientist in the Child Study Center and as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine. He teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, conducts psychotherapy research, and provides supervision to trainees ranging from college interns to medical residents. Dr. Beitel has authored or coauthored more than 60 peer reviewed scientific articles on personality, psychotherapy, substance use, chronic pain, integrative medicine, and culture.
Whitney Matera
DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH & DEVELOPMENT
Whitney holds her BA in Mass Communication from California State University, Los Angeles. She began her career working at various creative communications agencies that specialized in PR, event production, digital marketing, and social media. Along with outreach and development she is our in-house social media and marketing manager, and general Jill-of-all-trades here at WCP.
Whitney currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and her Yorkie, Marley. She is a lover of animals, food, a good DIY project, and firmly believes there isn’t much a good cup of coffee can’t fix.
Fun fact about Whitney: She once had her hair styled by Heidi Klum and claims she’s even more beautiful in person.
Whitney currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and her Yorkie, Marley. She is a lover of animals, food, a good DIY project, and firmly believes there isn’t much a good cup of coffee can’t fix.
Fun fact about Whitney: She once had her hair styled by Heidi Klum and claims she’s even more beautiful in person.
