New learning center opens in Fort Mill

A new learning center in Fort Mill offers tutoring for middle through college level students and founders and owners Scott and Lisa Simpson say they are passionate about helping each student reach his or her highest potential.

Both coming from a corporate background, the Simpsons wanted to help people. That was the genesis of the recently opened Sunstone Learning Center.

The Simpsons found their way to the Carolinas after evacuating the New Orleans area ahead of Hurricane Katrina and became Fort Mill residents in early 2006. That same year, Lisa faced an illness that required two surgeries, the second of which was a craniotomy.

Scott has been a mentor and tutor to hundreds of people of all ages throughout his professional life, he said, beginning with a brief stint as a teacher before moving to corporate America. The two believe education is a key to unlocking success in people’s lives.

“It’s not about the money anymore,” Scott said. “This is the calling, right here.”

Scott, who holds a degree in math from Arizona State University, said his role as a mentor and tutor comes naturally to him and he derives great fulfillment in seeing others’ confidence levels grow as a result of his coaching.

“You can’t even put a price tag on that,” Scott said.

A retired teacher and a couple of dean’s list Winthrop University students help at the center. Scott Simpson, who also works for McNeary Insurance Strategy and Solutions in Charlotte, serves as the program director at Sunstone. Lisa Simpson holds an accounting degree from Loyola University and worked as an accountant for many years. In addition to being a mother to the couple’s three sons – Jacob, 23, Logan, 20 and Reese, 6 – she is now the center’s managing director.

Sunstone Learning Center offers help for all subjects, but Scott especially enjoys teaching math.

“Math is my baby,” he said.

He said he enjoys helping students overcome the anxiety often associated with math by using visual aids and explanations relevant to everyday life. The center holds a free event once a month for students and families such as a “Math Sensation” presentation where “Professor Al Gebra” entertains the crowd with a math and science skit.

“My passion has always been the teaching part,” Scott Simpson said.

The center offers private and group tutoring in all traditional school subjects, as well as College Board test preparation. Workshops are available on the topics of test taking, study skills and data analysis. A leadership workshop is slated for the beginning of 2016. The center is open for a few hours each Saturday to allow students to study, work on projects and receive help from a tutor if needed.

Scott Simpson said the center pledges to help all students – even those who can’t afford it.

“We believe in this so much, we’re not going to turn anybody away if they can’t pay,” Scott said. “We’ve already decided that.”

Lisa Simpson said the couple believes they are working toward the common good.

“We believe helping others creates a pathway for everyone to achieve their dreams,” she said.

When they arrived in the Carolinas, Lisa said, they heard a piece of advice that they say has proved true for their family:

“Someone told us it’s great to raise a family in Fort Mill,” she said. “We love Fort Mill.”

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 10:57 AM with the headline "New learning center opens in Fort Mill."