About Shine Bright Learning
I’m Tara Fager, Founder and CEO of Shine Bright Learning. I’ve been an educator for over 25 years, and I started Shine Bright because I believe every child deserves to be truly seen—not just for what they can do, but for who they are. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most powerful growth happens when kids feel safe, supported, and genuinely valued. Time and again, I’ve seen that when children begin to believe in themselves, their learning takes off—and that belief begins with someone believing in them.
The name Shine Bright Learning comes from that core belief: that every child has a light inside them waiting to shine. Our role is to help uncover it, nurture it, and cheer it on. Whether a child is struggling, soaring, or somewhere in between, our goal is to help them think boldly, learn deeply, and shine brightly—on their own terms.
We build strong, authentic connections with each student, creating a safe space where they feel seen and supported. Our sessions are personalized, engaging, and confidence-boosting—helping kids not just learn, but truly believe in themselves.
Personalized Tutoring Approach
We ensure every tutoring session is personalized by starting with connection—getting to know each student as a whole person. We take time to understand their strengths, challenges, interests, and how they learn best. From there, we design sessions that meet them right where they are, using strategies and materials that fit their unique needs.
We also adapt in real time. If something isn’t working, we pivot. If they’re ready for more challenge, we stretch. We use ongoing informal assessments, student feedback, and parent input to guide instruction. Whether a child thrives with visuals, hands-on practice, stories, movement, or discussion, we weave those elements into our time together.
At the heart of it all is the relationship—because when a child feels safe, seen, and supported, their learning grows deeper, faster, and more joyfully. That’s the foundation of every session.
Success Story: Messiah's Transformation
One of my favorite success stories is about a bright, energetic five-year-old named Messiah. When we began working together, his teacher had told his mom he was likely to be held back —he was struggling with the foundational skills needed to move forward, especially in reading. We started meeting three times a week, focusing on phonemic awareness and phonics.
Messiah had a huge personality and lots of energy, so I designed our sessions to match. We took movement-based brain breaks, played with sound and language, and wove in topics he loved to keep things engaging and fun. In less than two months, he went from barely recognizing letters to decoding words and reading simple books on his own. He was just four when we started, and he was disappointed on the nights we didn’t meet—because, to him, our sessions didn’t feel like tutoring; they felt like fun.
Messiah’s transformation wasn’t just academic—it was emotional, too. He went from being labeled “behind” to feeling confident, capable, and excited about learning. That’s what Shine Bright Learning is all about: meeting kids where they are, celebrating who they are, and helping them discover what they’re truly capable of.
Lasting Impact Beyond Academics
Beyond academic growth, the impact we most hope to have is on how students see themselves. We want every child we work with to walk away not just knowing more—but believing more deeply in their own brilliance, resilience, and worth. We want them to feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are—not just for their grades or skills.
Our goal is to help students develop a lasting sense of confidence, curiosity, and agency. We want them to know that mistakes are part of learning, that challenges don’t define them, and that they are capable of incredible things when they believe in themselves and keep going. If a child leaves our time together feeling more empowered, more self-aware, and more hopeful about their future, then we’ve done our job.
That’s the real magic of Shine Bright Learning—it’s not just about what kids learn, but about who they become in the process.
Unlock Your Child's Potential
Ready to see your child shine? Book a personalized tutoring session with Shine Bright Learning today and help your child thrive. All sessions are online—if you have a device with internet access, we’re ready to work with you!