“Your positive approach to help teach the skills of organization gives them the wings to fly on their own.”
One of my greatest blessings and challenges in life has been to parent a child who not only shares the keen intellect and birthday of Albert Einstein but, also, his organizational abilities. This 24/7 parenting of a child with a learning disorder along with my many years as an educator provide me with the academic and instructional experience to guide students through their complex responsibilities in college. My work in higher education includes serving as an assistant professor of developmental education teaching study skills, freshman orientation, freshman composition, teacher education and ESL classes as well as doing advising and career counseling.
As an academic coach, I work with the student to co-design a process to define goals and priorities and to identify habits, behaviors, or thinking patterns that can be developed to realize them. We address:
• Time Management:Priorities & Scheduling
• Organization
• Communication and Relationship Skills
• Stress Management
• Sleep, Exercise, and Nutrition
• Substance Abuse
• Strategies to Maintain Focus and Concentration
• Accessing Campus and Community Resources
The student and I will schedule a free, one-hour initial meeting to discuss the student’s college and professional goals. Our plan and priorities will incorporate those goals and the challenges needing to be addressed in order to best reach those goals. We decide what the best use of our coaching time will be: scheduled meetings, Facebook, phone or e-mail contact. Typically, we use a combination of these. A system of accountability is used such that the student feels a desire to meet her/his goals rather than feeling pressured into them.
Prior to this meeting, I ask that the student and/or parents provide an overview of the student’s academic and personal history, the challenges experienced, their visions of her/his future, and how I can help as an academic coach. Please e-mail these to me prior to our meeting so I can have more familiarity with the student when we meet.
I will develop a proposal for our coaching time that includes an action plan that addresses the student’s objectives for the semester. Costs, at a rate of $50 per hour*, are included along with a schedule of payment dates. The student and I will schedule regular coaching times at that point. Should parents need to schedule time, that can be included in the proposal.
*Travel charge is $1 per mile
Coaching requires a commitment, – much like an athlete or musician aspiring to be the best in their pursuit. The more you commit to your coaching plan, the greater will be your rewards and success in your college life.