Read on to find out why I am so passionate about helping kids achieve their true potential.

On-Track's founder, President, and Educational Consultant

 

Memories of my childhood fall into two distinct categories: life and school. Growing up in Colorado brings back memories of a happy life: bike riding, horseback riding, and reveling in the majestic Rocky Mountains. School, on the other hand, conjures up images of struggle, frustration and an overall sense of unhappiness. Kindergarten, first and second grades were fine, marked with many successes and recollections of happy times. In third grade, school became difficult, in large part due to the “open classroom” concept that the school had adopted. We had four classes in one large room. I recall noise, chaos and an overwhelming sense of frustration. My teacher spoke with my parents often; I could read everything they put in front of me, but I didn’t appear to have the ability to comprehend any of it. My parents had me evaluated by a psychologist. The results were conclusive – I was a high-ability child with learning disabilities in reading comprehension and math computation. Somehow, I got lucky and had the most amazing fourth grade teacher. She understood how I learned and she made learning fun. I will always give her credit as the teacher who taught me to love reading and learning.

I had several one-on-one tutors over the years who had a tremendous impact on my academic career.  Recalling our tutoring sessions is like watching a building being constructed; my tutors laid the foundation and built on concepts I knew, until I finally had a solid, standing structure.  While I couldn’t be “fixed,” (children with learning disabilities are not broken), I had tools and strategies that enabled me to learn in a different way.  

In high school, I was once again fortunate to have a few amazing teachers who realized my gift for writing. I was enthralled by the challenge of Honors English and enjoyed writing every essay (go figure!).  Additionally, I participated in a community volunteer program where I taught adults with cerebral palsy to ride horses. I became enamored with helping people. The next semester, I volunteered in a self-contained classroom for children who were diagnosed with “severe and profound disabilities” (a truly awful label). We all have our defining moments in life when we realize that everything we have experienced was for a reason; for me, it happened when I was sixteen.  I knew from that year forward that I had a mission – to become a special education teacher and to help others overcome their challenges and achieve their potential despite learning disabilities. 

In later years, as I held my undergraduate and graduate degrees with Summa Cum Laude status in my hands, I fully realized the impact that my outstanding tutors had on my life. They provided me with tools to achieve academically, but, ultimately, they empowered my to succeed in life.

I started On-Track Tutoring & Family Support Services over a decade ago, knowing the impact that one-on-one tutoring can have on a student’s life. Today, I conduct educational evaluations, consult with families, create educational programs, and coach an army of tutors in an effort to help students achieve their potential.  Each year I tutor, mentor and empower students to succeed despite learning differences. 

My favorite quote, by publisher Katherine Graham, says it all:

“To do what you love and feel that it matters, how could anything be more fun?” 

Discovering Strengths, Achieving Results™