Approach and Services

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I teach the whole student, striving to understand and address the needs of each unique learner. While others may try to fit your student into a generic student model, at Launch Learning, your student is the model. Everything I do is tailored to the students with whom I work.

My customized approach leverages student strengths while targeting individual weaknesses in the creation of customized educational support.

Parents and students describe me as a caring educator who is experienced, patient, creative, honest, encouraging, detail-oriented, and hard-working. I also see myself as an accountability partner for my students.

I am a coach, not a tutor. Coaches view their work on a larger time horizon, teaching students the processes and tools that enable them to succeed in the long-term.  Tutors may focus solely on content, to complete assignments or courses with a certain grade, in the short-term. I want my students to cultivate and develop skills that will last a lifetime, not just a semester.

I offer a free, 30-minute consultation to learn about your student and answer questions as you consider hiring the best support person for your family.  Finding the best fit is essential; I know this both as a provider and as a parent of college-aged students who has hired other professionals to support my children throughout their learning journeys.

All sessions are conducted remotely, via Zoom or Google Documents + phone.

Story is the heartbeat of human experience. We author our own stories and learn from the narratives around us.  I support students as they plan, create, and shape the stories that only they themselves can tell.  This includes language arts assignments, private school admissions essays, college essays, and graduate school personal statements.  Many find the prospect of writing to be an overwhelming experience. I like showing them otherwise.  Through deep listening, reflection, and practical skill-development, students excavate and express their treasure trove of experiences.  They learn to articulate the unique contributions they can offer to their communities and the world at large.  I have a passion and proven track record for facilitating this process with students and helping them achieve success. 

Colleges to which my students have gained admission:

• Johns Hopkins University
• Princeton University
• Northwestern University
• Harvard University  
• Georgetown University
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 
• Rice University
• Smith College
• Howard University
• Tufts University
• University of California: Berkeley, Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Davis, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Merced
• New York University
• Skidmore College
• Vassar College
• Oberlin College
• Babson College
• Georgia Tech
• Occidental College
• Berklee College of Music  
• Haverford College
• Gettysburg College  
• Willamette University
• Sonoma State University
• University of Puget Sound
• Reed College
• Dickinson College
• Clark University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Pace University 
• Pitzer College
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Cal Poly Humboldt
• Cal Poly Pomona
• Southern Oregon University
• University of Oregon
• Saint Mary’s College
• Dominican University
• Colorado State University
• Colorado College
• University of Denver
• San Francisco State University
• Cal State Monterey, Fullerton
• Miami University of Ohio 
• Indiana University 
• University of Cincinnati
• Indiana University
• Purdue University
• University of Arizona
• Arizona State University
• Drexel University
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• San Jose State University
• San Diego State University
• Boston University
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Montana
• Montana State University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Northeastern University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Santa Clara University
• University of Manchester
• University of Maryland
• University of Southern California 
• University of Puget Sound 
• University of Washington 

Executive Functioning (EF) is a set of coordinated cognitive processes that help us manage our thinking, planning, and actions to achieve our goals.  It involves critical life skills, such as:

• Time management
• Organization
• Cognitive flexibility
• Working Memory
• Task initiation and execution
• Self-regulation
• Self-advocacy
• Meta-cognition
• Effective habit building and maintenance

This developmental learning process extends across academic subjects and helps students become more independent, competent and successful.  My students have been mainstream learners, those with learning differences, and those with gifted or 2e classifications. 

Many people with EF challenges experience mental health challenges including anxiety and depression.  My background in social work and more than two decades of experience supporting students with these difficulties make me uniquely suited to assist them. I support adults, as well as middle school, high school, and college students in learning and habituating effective EF skills so they can launch themselves into the lives they want to create.   

If you're interested in learning more about Executive Functioning Coaching and my approach to teaching these skills, check out a presentation I provided for Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, CA (linked below) or my interview with Jana Parker on the "Mind By Design" Podcast.