Darleen van Tonder, Owner
Trainer, Speaker, Life Coach
Darleen Van Tonder is a Certified Master LearningSuccess™ Coach & Trainer in South Africa. She studied and worked with Mariaemma Willis & Victoria Hodson since 2003, when she first began using their book, Discover Your Child’s Learning Style, and their Self-Portrait™ assessment with her own family. She homeschooled her son whilst her daughter went to a private school – both different learning styles recognised.
Darleen founded Retrain (Pty) Ltd, and Non-Profit Organisations Kutitiva Foundation (registered Public Benefit organisation)and Inkululeko Children’s Home in South Africa to further her work of empowering children and adults to discover their true gifts and potential.
In 2022, Darleen took the helm as the dedicated owner and a Director of LearningSuccess™ Institute (LSI), marking a significant milestone in her lifelong mission of uplifting individuals of all ages. Her collaboration with renowned educational and learning strengths experts Mariaemma Willis & Victoria Hodson since 2003 has enriched her approach to learning styles and individual empowerment. She remains deeply connected to the vision of the founders of LSI to bring out the best in every child and adult, and continues to work closely with Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, one of the founders.
With over 35 years’ experience in training and development, Darleen has dedicated her life to empowering others to reach their potential through education, mentorship, and advocacy. Her passion for uplifting underprivileged communities, particularly children and youth, has driven her from humble mud huts to townships and cities, with impactful initiatives that continue to transform lives. Originating from Zimbabwe, and a proud South African since 1984, Darleen’s journey speaks to her unwavering commitment to building people up, restoring dignity, and instilling hope across diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Darleen is a registered Education, Training, and Development Practitioner (ETDP), Facilitator, Assessor, Art Teacher, Life Coach, Counselor, Learning strengths specialist and Business Consultant, and she offers insight into a large cross-section of clients in private and government education and business environments.
Join Darleen and the LSI team on a transformative journey toward discovering your true potential, embracing diverse learning styles, and achieving personal and professional growth. Together, let’s embark on a path of empowerment, learning, and fulfilment as we empower individuals to reach their full potentials. darleen@retrain.co.za
Johan van Tonder, Director
Johan van Tonder became a director of LSI in 2024, bringing with him a unique perspective shaped by his early experiences. At the age of 9, Johan took his first Self-Portrait™, a practice that has since played a pivotal role in his personal and professional journey. This technique has helped him navigate his schooling, career, and even his home life with a deeper sense of clarity and purpose.
Outside of work, Johan is an avid trail runner in Cape Town and enjoys spending time outdoors. He is also a proud husband to his wife, Michelle, and is eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child.
Michelle van Tonder, Project Manager
Michelle van Tonder has been an integral part of LSI since 2022, where she brings her expertise in presentation creation, poster design, program/content development, and crafting innovative lesson plans and student workshops. A qualified teacher with a BEd in Foundation Phase education, Michelle has experience working across various curricula, including the South African Curriculum, Cambridge, and Montessori.
Her ability to integrate the LSI principles into her classroom has allowed her to create dynamic, engaging learning environments that cater to a wide range of student needs. As Project Manager, Michelle continues to drive fresh and impactful educational initiatives within LSI.
Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, M.S., Founder
Author, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant
Why are the really smart kids getting Ds and Fs? This is a question Mariaemma began asking in elementary school when as a “straight A student” she noticed that certain classmates knew so much more than she did in various subjects, yet were getting very poor grades. In pursuit of the answer to this question, she became a pioneer in the area of student-centered and personalized learning solutions, and has been committed to success for every child since 1988.
Mariaemma has worked with thousands of children, parents, and teachers, assessing different ways of learning, diagnosing school problems, designing customized curriculum plans, and sharing teaching techniques and strategies that enable all students to learn.
Mariaemma is an expert in tailoring instruction to the unique needs of individual students:
- building on their strengths
- mitigating their challenges
- creating environments that are engaging and that spark their desire to learn
Mariaemma’s approach to student-centered learning enables:
- students to take ownership of their learning
- educators to turn information into action in the classroom
- parents to be informed and participate in the process
Mariaemma has also conducted training programs for literacy volunteers throughout Southern California, taught learning success strategies in correctional facilities, developed assessment and teaching procedures for adult students, and written books for parents and teachers. Credentials include: B.A. Psychology, M.S. Education, California Life Teaching Credentials for regular and special education.
With Victoria Kindle Hodson she co-founded Reflective Educational Perspectives, LLC and co-authored Discover Your Child’s Learning Style, Midlife Crisis Begins in Kindergarten and the Self-Portrait™ Power Traits Assessment.
Their personalized learning approach has been used by teachers and parents; public, private, and charter schools; and classroom and independent study programs, throughout the U.S. as well as internationally: Japan, Canada, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, China, Mexico, Australia, Spain, Greece, and Chile.
Mariaemma lives in Ventura, California with her husband, Ron. In her “spare” time she loves to read and garden. Hobbies include nutrition, holistic health, interior design, and personal development.
Mariaemma continues to be an active Coach and Consultant for LearningSuccess™ Institute. m@learningsuccesscoach.com, 805-648-1739
Victoria Kindle Hodson, M.A., Founder
Author, Speaker, Trainer, Consultant (Retired)
As a teacher, curriculum and materials designer and consultant, Victoria Kindle Hodson has worked for 40 years to bring the best brain-based practices in education and psychology to students, teachers, and parents. She is a pioneer of many of current trends, including personalized learning, student-centered learning, project-based learning, and blended learning.
In 1988 she co-created with Mariaemma Willis a breakthrough model to facilitate an individual’s transition from a fixed to a growth mindset that has been used with great success by tens of thousands of parents, teachers, and students. This student-centered learning model provides the foundation for an alternative to the “one-size-fits-all” classroom and is based on the latest research as well as her insights based on her studies and teaching experience.
Victoria has degrees in education and counseling psychology and has trained extensively in special education, parenting, communication skills development, Montessori education, and organization development. She has worked with and spoken to thousands of children and parents throughout the world, as well as to homeschooling families and classroom teachers, assessing personal learning needs, diagnosing school problems, designing customized curriculum plans, and teaching techniques and strategies that help children learn and teachers teach more effectively.