We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Bonnie Cohen-Greenberg and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Bonnie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. I’ve always believed that intelligence and energy are powerful tools — but without integrity, they can easily be pointed in the wrong direction. In the work we do, families are trusting us with something deeply important: their children’s learning, self-esteem, and long-term success. Especially when a child learns differently or has struggled in a traditional setting, the need for a professional they can count on becomes even more essential.
Integrity means doing what’s right for each student, even when it’s more time-consuming or less convenient. It means basing decisions on evidence and experience — not shortcuts or trends. And it means being honest with parents: helping them understand what’s working, what’s not, and what steps are truly in the child’s best interest. Our relationships with tutoring families, and with the psychologists and other professionals who refer and collaborate with us, are grounded in trust. They know we share their commitment to prioritizing what’s best for each student — seeing and supporting the whole person.
This has been the foundation of my work from the beginning. Now, as I begin to step back and my son, Eric Cohen-Greenberg, steps forward as Director, it’s the value I see most clearly in him as well. He brings his own strengths, fresh ideas, and energy — but the heart of his work is the same: doing right by each child. That’s what matters most.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dr. Bonnie Cohen-Greenberg, founder of BCG Learning Specialists. I’ve spent more than four decades working with students who learn differently — including those with dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, giftedness, and other learning needs that don’t always align with traditional educational expectations.
When I founded BCG Learning Specialists, it started quite literally in my own home — with tutors working in different rooms while my son, Eric, walked through after school. The practice grew steadily, and for many years we operated out of a dedicated office building. But as Atlanta traffic intensified and virtual options expanded, we shifted to a more flexible model — one that allows sessions to take place in students’ homes, tutors’ homes or offices, or online. This has made tutoring more accessible and convenient for everyone — and we’ve continued offering both in-person and virtual sessions even after the pandemic, because the flexibility simply works better for many families.
From the beginning, BCG has focused on more than just academic outcomes. Many families come to us with goals like improving grades or test scores — and we take those seriously. But we also understand that sustainable progress comes from deeper support: building confidence, teaching learning strategies, and helping students feel understood and capable. Our team of over 100 professionals — all with advanced degrees and experience — shares that same philosophy, and our work is grounded in strong communication, individualized planning, and evidence-based practices.
Today, as I step back from daily leadership, I’m proud to share that my son, Eric Cohen-Greenberg, is now the Director of BCG. He brings not only a Master’s in Special Education and extensive experience working with students, families, and educators, but also a deep understanding of the values that define our work. Eric has been part of this practice in meaningful ways for many years, and he’s played a central role in shaping how we’ve adapted and grown. He honors the integrity of what we’ve built, while also bringing fresh thinking to meet the changing needs of today’s students and families.
So while I’m no longer in the day-to-day role, I remain closely connected — and incredibly excited for what’s ahead under Eric’s leadership. The heart of BCG is as strong as ever.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My father had the greatest influence on my understanding of work. He owned his own practice and worked at least six days a week — often 12 to 15 hours a day — yet I never once heard him complain. He always said, “That’s what you do when you own your own business.”
He taught me the importance of financial responsibility: when you’re self-employed, you can’t assume every month will be the same, so you save in the good times to weather the slow ones. But his most valuable lesson was this: If you love your work, you’ll never work a day in your life. He believed work should be both meaningful and of service to others — and I’ve carried that with me every step of the way.
That belief is also one I’ve passed on to my son, Eric. He has seen firsthand, through my father’s example and my own, that running a business like BCG takes dedication, resilience, and a genuine desire to make a difference. It’s one of the reasons I trust him to lead BCG forward — because he approaches the work with the same mindset my father instilled in me.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
When did I change my mind about something important?
One of the most significant shifts in my career came when I moved from being a solo practitioner to building a team. In the early years, I worked one-on-one with students, but as they grew older and needed help in subjects I didn’t teach, I found myself referring them out — spending hours explaining their learning needs to other tutors. While some of those experiences went well, there was no guarantee of consistency.
That’s when I began contracting directly with tutors, so I could train, supervise, and ensure the continuity families valued. Our practice grew beyond my home, then into a dedicated center, and later into a much larger facility. But as Atlanta traffic worsened and online learning became more practical, I saw that the future wasn’t about one physical location. We transitioned to a community-based and virtual model, meeting students where it worked best for them. The pandemic accelerated that change — and it’s a model that still serves our families today.
Another turning point came when I faced the reality that I wouldn’t be able to run the practice forever. I had no interest in selling to a corporate chain, which would have lowered tutor pay and undermined the quality of service. Instead, I invited Eric to step in as a co-leader. With his background in psychology, special education, tutoring, facilitation, ABA therapy, and even paralegal training in special education law, he brought the skills and values I wanted to see in BCG’s next chapter. That decision has allowed us to grow while keeping the heart of the practice intact.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The value I protect above all else is the belief that every learner deserves to be truly seen, understood, and supported as an individual.
This isn’t just a guiding principle — it’s the foundation of how BCG operates. We set high expectations, but we also meet each student with respect and patience. We look beyond the grades to understand the whole person — their strengths, challenges, and potential.
It’s also the value I’m most determined to pass to Eric. Skills can be taught, processes can be learned, but the ability — and the will — to truly see a student for who they are is what makes the difference between good tutoring and life-changing support. I know Eric carries that value forward, and that’s one reason I feel confident about BCG’s future.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I built something that truly mattered — a place where students, especially those who learn differently, were understood, supported, and never made to feel “less than.” I want them to remember that I fought for each child as if they were my own, and that my work didn’t just raise grades but opened doors and changed lives.
I also hope they tell the story of how this mission became a legacy. That I passed it to my son, who carries forward the same belief that has guided me: that every learner deserves dignity, patience, and high expectations. If BCG continues to embody that, long after I’m gone, then I’ll know I’ve done my life’s work well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bcglearning.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcglearningspecialists
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-cohen-greenberg-a526015
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCGLearning/
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