How did I come to this work?

I have seen teaching – and children – from all sides.  As a child of an Army officer, I attended seven schools by the time I entered junior high, and struggled as certain teachers could hold my attention but others shut me down.  My own sister has an intellectual disability, so I know first-hand the importance of parental advocacy for special education and its impact of a person’s happiness and well being.  These experiences led me to become a K-12 special education teacher in both public and private school, and then continue to deepen my work as a private practice educational therapist and an independent educational consultant.

I have created a practice that primarily focuses on students with learning differences find their educational and personal path in life.  Most of my clients initially come to me with tears in their eyes and low confidence in their ability to succeed in the classroom and in life.  My role is to ignite their love of learning and also understanding who they are as unique learners.  My clients teach me about how their brains work and learn and together we script an academic plan to help them discover and use strategies in and out of the classroom.

As my client’s transition to high school, we must continue to build upon the academic skills needed at the high school level and concurrently teach the academic skills needed at the college level.  Over the years, I have witnessed many of my students with learning differences are ready to graduate but not prepared for how to tackle a world of college academics.

I establish a unique, warm, therapeutic, healing relationship with my students and their families.  The success of the students is dependent on the loving and support from both sides, parental and provider.

Education

Master’s of Arts in School Counseling and PPS Credential
Concordia University Irvine

Bachelors of Arts & Master’s of Education in Special Education
University of Pittsburgh

Certificate in College Counseling
University of California Los Angeles

Certificate in Educational Therapy
University of California Santa Cruz

Credentials

Educational Specialist Instruction Credential: Autism Authorization # 170063698 

Pupil Personnel Service Credential in School Counseling
California

National Board Certified
Exceptional Learners K-12

Memberships

National Association for College Counseling (NACAC)
Western Association for College Counseling (WACAC)
American School Counseling Association (ASCA)
California Association of School Counseling (CASC)
Independent Educational Consultant Association (ICEA)

K-12 Schools Served

Bay School of San Francisco
Brightworks School
Burlingame High School
Cathedral School for Boys
Creative Arts Charter School
Drew High School
French American International School
Hamlin School
Marin Country Day School
Mt.Tamalpais High School
 

Presidio Knolls School
Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep
San Francisco Friends School
San Francisco Schoolhouse
St. Ignatius College Prep
St. Philip Elementary School
Stuart Hall for Boys
Urban High School