Success By Design Learning Center has been helping students in Mandeville, Louisiana since October of 1998.
Our goal is to help students in the community strive for excellence and confidence in their academic pursuits. Our learning center was founded by Miss Cherry Smith when she realized her potential to help children overcome academic challenges while working in a boutique learning center. Our faculty of tutors and teachers has grown over the years, but our commitment to the students we teach remains the same. As a certified gifted teacher, Miss Cherry works closely with students of many different learning difficulties and challenges that include the following:
- Gifted
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- ADD/ADHD
- Mild Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome
- Remediation/Deficits
These students learn at an individualized pace, paired with consistent coaching, to better suit their needs. Success By Design Learning Center is committed to creating a welcoming, comfortable place for children with all different types of learning styles.
We provide personalized one-on-one sessions with experienced, professional teachers for students in our tutoring and test prep programs. We offer an additional personalized private education program for students with various goals. As our business has grown, our programs have also expanded to include academic consulting, paper editing, educational counseling, and individual instruction.
The Educational Team at Success By Design Learning Center
Cherry Smith
B.A., M.A. +30, Ed.D. (ABD)
Educational Director | Academic Consultant
In 1975, Cherry earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Louisiana Tech. While working towards a doctoral degree in psychology, Cherry returned to Louisiana Tech to earn her Master of Arts in Guidance & Counseling in 1976. Cherry was blessed with two loving children and entered the workforce, putting her doctoral pursuit on hold. She worked as a successful pharmaceutical sales representative for a Fortune 500 company. While she enjoyed what she was doing, God’s calling for her life had other plans; plans in the world of education.
Cherry received her teaching certification in 1994 from Southeastern Louisiana University and soon after earned her teaching certification to teach gifted classes. Cherry went on to teach for the St. Tammany Parish School Board from 1994 until 1997. She then accepted the position of Assistant Director at PACES Learning Center in 1997. In October of 1998, Cherry opened Success By Design Learning Center and has continued to provide a well-cultivated, safe learning environment for children in the community.
Following her original goals, Cherry continued to pursue the doctoral degree she had put off for so long. Cherry enrolled at the University of Phoenix in June 2006. Once again, her doctoral dreams would be delayed. Right before losing her mother in 2009, Cherry had completed the doctoral coursework and part of her dissertation. In order to support her family, Cherry put her focus into developing Success By Design Learning Center by building her clientele and working even harder to help her students meet their academic goals.
In 2014, Cherry was asked to work with Directed Studies in the Discovery Center at Northlake Christian School. This service provides alternative education for students to achieve their high school diploma through creative curriculum management. Working with children has always been Cherry’s passion and she will continue to create an environment where children can learn and create and grow.
Cherry Smith is also a certified proctor for Brigham Young University, Bob Jones University, and ACT with expertise in administering with special accommodations. Cherry is currently completing her dissertation to complete her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership with a Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction.
In her spare time, Cherry loves to read, participate in writer’s groups, goes to movies, enjoys local cuisine, cooks, and attends church.
Stephanie Smith
B.A.
Director of Operations
Stephanie started with Success By Design in 2006, working part time while gaining experience in hospitality, healthcare, recruiting, and credit coaching. In 2016, she stepped into a full-time role and quickly became the driving force behind day-to-day operations.
She holds a B.A. in Business Management from Southeastern Louisiana University, with a minor in Family and Consumer Science. Stephanie is passionate about building strong systems, supporting her team, and helping others grow. Outside of work, she loves movies, biking, learning new things, and performing in community theatre.
Mary Haulard, B.A., Elementary Teacher & Tutor
Mrs. Mary has been teaching Elementary Education at Success by Design Learning Center since 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of New Orleans. Her teaching experience focuses on emergent readers, as well as science, social studies, and math foundations.
In addition to her classroom role, Ms. Mary provides afternoon tutoring at the center, where she enjoys supporting students from a variety of schools throughout the community. Her passion for teaching and commitment to helping all learners succeed make her a valued member of the Success by Design team.
Josh Del Valle
B.A.
Junior High/High School Math Teacher & Tutor
Mr. Josh is our dedicated Math teacher for 8th–12th grade students here at Success By Design Learning Center. Mr. Josh has been with us since 2021. He works closely with our Director of Education, Ms. Cherry, to create individualized math curriculum that meet each student right where they are.
Whether he’s teaching in the classroom or tutoring one-on-one with high school and college students, Mr. Josh is passionate about helping learners build confidence and truly understand math. His encouraging approach makes math less intimidating and helps students reach their full potential.
Denise Braiwick
Administrative Director
Denise is our Administrative Director here at Success By Design Learning Center, and she has been an important part of our team since August 2024. She keeps our center running smoothly by supporting our staff, coordinating communications, and managing the many details that happen behind the scenes each day.
Denise is often the friendly face that greets our families and helps ensure that every visit to our center is a positive one. Her dedication to organization and her warm, welcoming nature create an environment where students, parents, and staff feel supported. By handling the logistics, Denise allows our teachers and tutors to focus fully on what they do best: helping students succeed.
Hannah Gipson
Marketing Director
Hannah is our Marketing Director here at Success By Design Learning Center and has been part of our team since May 2024. She brings our center’s mission to life through creative storytelling, capturing photos, managing our social media, and sharing the meaningful moments that happen every day.
Hannah also helps coordinate field trips, events, and guest speaker visits that enrich our students’ experiences beyond the classroom. She plays a key role in planning and promoting our fundraising efforts and supports the development of long-term goals to help our center grow.
Through her eye for detail and passion for connection, Hannah ensures families see and feel what makes Success By Design such a special place to learn and grow.