I have two teaching credentials, one general education, one education specialist K-12.

I've been in business for going on 5 years, developing and scaling a summer camp, offering private coaching and classes to parents and students.

Additionally, I've got 17+ years of experience supporting all kinds of learners of all ages, with significant experience focused on supporting neurotypical learners to those with mild/moderate special education needs and ADHD.

I've also produced essential skills programs inside major organizations for adults, around topics such as building resilience, transforming conflict, and building trust.

When it comes to mental illness, I'm not a medical health provider, so I always suggest to parents in getting comprehensive support in the form of an official assessment, diagnosis, therapy and treatment from a psychotherapist. That said, I provide a very therapeutic environment, and I often collaborate with psychologists, therapists, and other specialists to provide wrap-around support for any student and family I work with. The work we all do is often aligned, with some overlap for needed reinforcement.

I have a holistic approach when it comes to working with students and families.

I begin with building trust and a relationship between me and the student. This is a must as it allows us to have a connection beyond "mom is making me be here". 

I believe every single human on the planet has a gift no one else shares, so I always begin by focusing on a student's gifts and areas of interest. This is often threaded through our work together as it creates immediate buy-in and intrinsic motivation throughout the process.

I begin by teaching them about their brains! Neuroscience is fascinating at this age and is often a compassionate bridge to bring awareness to what is and isn't in their control. It's powerful stuff!

Mindset, metacognition, and mindfulness strategies are all woven throughout, in addition to tactical systems to address emerging challenges.

For example, if a student is having challenges keeping track of their school assignments, we co-design a customized schedule and plan that works for them, with visual cues, reminders, rewards and consequences to maintain accountability. 

Here's an overview of the first 6 weeks and beyond:

Week 1-2: We build trust and I'm in data collection mode. 

In the beginning we are getting to know each other. I'm simply observing behavior, patterns, and the current skill set to get an idea of what needs prioritizing, and what the immediate goals might be beyond the scope of what's already been communicated by parents and teachers.

Week 3-4: I develop a customized plan, and collaborate with parents and student to make sure everyone is aligned and has input (this is important for middle schoolers to have agency and a sense of control)

Week 5 & Beyond: We put the plan into action

Once our plan is in place, it is a collaborative process, tweaking what needs an adjustment or change along the way. Although I have many proven strategies and skills to share, this process is often an experiment and not linear, because we are working with a complex human being going through an immense developmental period.  Flexibility, patience, and resilience are required (and will be tested!) 

Parent check-ins are weekly, as you all play a major role in making sure the work we do in our weekly sessions translates at home and school.