My Coaching Approach

My approach to working with young people is based on respect for who they are, and the knowledge and experience they bring  to each coaching session. I am deeply committed to helping them use their strengths to address their challenges, and joining them to celebrate their progress. 

More specifically, I will 

• Build a relationship with them

Many young people are skeptical at first of an adult they don’t know being brought in to help them. I don’t blame them. I’m a stranger to them, after all.

So, at the start of every session, I take time to chat with them about what they’ve been doing inside and outside of school since the last time we talked. Not only does this help to build a relationship, but I can hook their interests and skills into how I approach the work we do together.

• Provide immediate help with academic work and other issues while teaching them strategies they can use in future situations 

I’ll provide support for current assignments, watching and listening for strategies the student already uses and suggesting others that may work. My goal is for them to develop a toolbox of diverse strategies they can eventually use independently.  

• Help students identify, track, and address their personal challenges with reading, writing and other issues 

Most young people have certain areas that they find challenging, and which trip them up over and over again. I help them to identify these and suggest strategies for addressing these specific challenges.

• Praise small steps towards goals and provide encouragement

Some teens have started to believe that they are failures, and even that they’re not very smart. They’ve received more feedback about what they can’t do than what they can. I make sure to point out their progress, and praise their victories, no matter how small.

• Connect with high school teachers

At the high school level, I’m happy to contact your teen’s teacher(s) to find out what’s  happening at school and to coordinate our approaches to their learning. Obviously, by the time they reach post-secondary and adult status, they will need to rely on themselves.

• Keep you in the loop

At the high school level, I’ll keep the lines of communication open with you about progress I’m noticing, new behaviors, and challenges. Once students turn 18, I would need their permission to have discussions with you.

If you think these approaches would help your son or daughter to become a more skilled reader and writer, and/or to be successful in post-secondary studies, please contact me.