Our Virtual “Teacher’s Lounge” For Educational Consultants
A virtual “teacher’s lounge” dedicated to providing a community of dedicated college counselors committed to learning and growing in our profession and our “instruction.”
I love school supplies. I loved picking out my pens, my folders, and my notebooks (still do). The anticipation of the first day of school would cause butterflies in my…
How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Achieve Your Goals The start of a new school year is a time of excitement and anticipation for many students. There are new classes to…
Personal Statement Season: How to Write a "Shitty First Draft" It's personal statement season! This is a time when many high school seniors are feeling the pressure to write a…
The Common Application season is officially underway, and students and families are gearing up for the excitement and anxiety of the college admissions process. This is a time when students…
I LOVE Sparklers! My childhood memories of the 4th of July consist of racing through the thick green-blue grass of Kentucky with fiery sicks crackling through the dusk. loved feeling so…
How Do We Educate Parents for Students to Succeed in College? I am wondering... How much responsibility do we have as IECs to be parent educators? Can we truly serve…
Calling All Independent Educational Consultants When I was in art class as a kid, I remember painting the sun blue and the grass red. Luckily, I had a wonderful teacher…
Love Letters to the Parents I love graduation season! Our culture has so FEW rituals for our young people that I find myself often weeping with joy and pride as…
Raising Good Humans Building brain muscles around perspective is one of a teenager's best skills. It helps them to think more critically and become more comfortable with their own identity.…
Superpower: Fun, empowering, engaging relationship builder and obstacle greeter.
Top 3 values: Love, family, community.
My favorite things: Good coffee, My wife’s laugh, music on the porch, apple picking in the fall, building snow forts with my three little boys, and making eggplant parmesan.
Educational passions: BA in English Literature, MA in Teaching, project-based learning and restorative justice practitioner, empowerment through interest-driven, community-based learning and action civics.
My why:To serve and to be an ally and mentor to those stepping into this exciting chapter in their lives. I love being a guide for students to choose their path, know their path, and walk their path.
Capstone Certified Mentor
Jessica Smock
Superpower: love of learning, perspective, curiosity
Top 3 values: listening, empathy, knowledge
My favorite things: My two kids, dogs, lazy and rainy afternoons spent reading, long walks, Indian food, and mystery novels.
Educational passions: BA in Sociology Wesleyan University; Masters of Arts in Teaching Boston University; College of Social Sciences Fellow Florida State University; Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy and Glenn Fellow in Educational Leadership, Boston University.
My why: Helping students tell their stories and express their values to help them reach.
Essay Guru
Jessica Smock
Super Power: Love of learning, Perspective, Curiosity
Top 3 values: Listening, Empathy, Knowledge
My why: Helping students tell their stories and express their values to help them reach.
Loves: My two kids, dogs, lazy and rainy afternoons spent reading, long walks, Indian food, mystery novels
Education passions: BA in Sociology Wesleyan University; Masters of Arts in Teaching Boston University; College of Social Sciences Fellow Florida State University; Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy and Glenn Fellow in Educational Leadership, Boston University
Client Manager and Capstone Certified Mentor
Hannah Broder
Superpower: Comedy
Top 3 values: Helping others, vulnerability, humor
My favorite things: Holidays with family, my 12-year-old Yorkie-pooh (Belle), my ornament collection from my travels, my Nana’s necklace that I wear every day, and a good old-fashioned lazy Sunday.
Educational passions: B.A. in Cinema and Television Arts, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Lucy Calkins Writing Institute Completion, UC Irvine Independent Educational Consulting, Capstone Certification from Emerging, avid reader, film lover, and travel enthusiast.
My why: Guided by a philosophy of care and intentional planning, I help students tap into their desires for the future and discover their pathway to becoming world-class citizens.
Capstone Ceritfied Mentor
Claudia Kra
Superpower: Mood boosting
Top 3 values: healthy boundaries, close relationships, growth
My favorite things: Travel, Post-it notes for reminders, chapstick, candles, and my Kindle so I can read in any setting.
Educational passions: B.A. in Communication and Elementary Education, teaching in the US and Costa Rica.
My why: I’m an optimist who is passionate about being of service and helping others achieve positive outcomes.
CEO/Founder
Laura Barr
Top 3 values: Get smarter every day, service, step-up
My favorite things: Collecting and stacking (and reading) fiction, Friday long runs (with no particular destination), writing personal narratives, my black-and-white Polaroid, bluegrass, fierce conversations, long hugs, Fridays, and thank you notes.
Educational passions: B.A. Humanities, M.A. Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Ethan Sawyer Groupie, Russian Literature fanatic, Certified in student-centered coaching and Curriculum and Instruction. 200-hour Yoga certification!
My why: I wake up every to raise and launch good humans. I believe in the power of education to raise citizens—becausewe need good citizens now more than ever.
Capstone Certified Mentor
Sydney Adams
Superpower: Empathy
Top 3 values: communication, adventure, passion
My favorite things: Reading, beaches, hiking, my dog (Boo), Thai food, playing cards, and the smell of fresh rain after a hot day.
Educational passions: B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Health, teaching, tutoring, mentoring, and travel.
My why:My favorite thing about working as a mentor is seeing students reach their goals and transform from unsure and overwhelmed to confident and enthusiastic about their future.
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