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In the words of the families and students I have worked with
These are unedited except for length, and they come from middle schoolers, a college senior at Brown, a graduate student at Cambridge and a 24-year-old learning to run his own calendar. Grades do come up, but rarely first.
From students
In their own words
Students are the hardest audience in this work, and a good many of them arrive reluctantly. Every word below is theirs.
“Kelly has helped me so much with organizing my day-to-day life, setting goals, focusing in school, and managing my emotions. She has provided me with so many tools and helped me mature as a person and a student quite a bit. She has gone above and beyond, from helping me plan my daily activities to giving me tips on managing my ADHD. I have learned so much and improved academically in my grades and study habits.”
“I worked with Kelly during my final semester of college. She helped me confront long-standing ADHD habits, especially procrastination, and guided me toward a better understanding of the root challenges behind them.”
“Kelly didn’t just help me finish school, she gave me tools and confidence that I’ll carry into the future. I feel more empowered, capable, and equipped to follow through on my goals.”
“I was reluctant to try EF coaching initially. It was one more thing to add to my schedule, and I felt I already had the tools I needed to succeed. Coaching gave me a set of strategies that I could take with me.”
“Thank you for not having a set way you do things and for being open to listening to what works for each individual. You didn’t push anything and asked me what worked for me. I am beyond grateful for the confidence and validation you gave me.”
“Kelly was an important part of my high school writing career, as writing was always something I struggled with. She provided me with a much better understanding of how to organize my thoughts and how to prepare for writing assignments. I never knew how to write out a proper outline. She helped me master an outline routine that I still use for every paper I write today in college. She helped me write the essay that got me into my dream school.”
“Hi, Coach Kelly! I am almost done with my first year of high school. I just wanted to let you know that all of the techniques I learned with you were really helpful this year, and I did really well adjusting and succeeding.”
Years later
Some students come back at the next transition
Coaching is meant to come to an end, and students move down through the phases and out. What I have found is that some of them get back in touch for a short block years later, when the ground shifts underneath them again at the start of college, a graduate program or a first job. I am always so glad when they do!
I have worked with Kelly since high school. Seven years later, I have a master’s degree from Cambridge in the program of my dreams, and I am certain I could not have done it without her help and knowledge. I was resistant at first, convinced that simply talking to somebody wouldn’t help me concentrate or get to class on time.
In the first sessions she taught me some simple techniques I could use to help get my ADHD in check, eventually talking me into using a whiteboard calendar that I carry with me to this day. We discussed current ADHD research in the fields of sociology and neuroscience and I began to understand the advantages that I naturally had. Kelly helped guide me to use these both inside and outside of academia.
This altered the way I looked at my education and led me through an unconventional academic path that landed me in a spot I never could have imagined when we first met. I look forward to starting our sessions again once I begin my PhD.
Graduate student · Cambridge UniversityThe whiteboard calendar he mentions there is something we came up with in a high school session, and he is still using it seven years and three institutions later. That is what I mean when I talk about portable strategies.
From parents
What parents tell me
Grades do come up here, but they are rarely the first thing a parent mentions to me. Usually it is confidence, independence and how much calmer things have become at home.
Kelly has been tremendously effective in reducing the power struggles in our family around homework. She taught us, and him, how to break down assignments, and how to begin an assignment that initially feels overwhelming. After she set up a chart to track positive school behaviors, his teachers spontaneously commented on the improvement.
His ability to begin work on his own has improved considerably, and we believe Kelly’s interventions have helped alter his own conception of himself and what he’s able to accomplish. After one session early on, he asked us, “Why did you wait so long to find her?”
Parent · Fourth grade student“As far as we are concerned, Kelly performed a miracle. First, she was able to engage our high schooler in the coaching process, which was no small feat. He has dyslexia, which causes him to struggle with organization. Her patience, persistence, and structured yet flexible process engaged him.”
“The added and unexpected bonus for us is that his work with Kelly took so much pressure off our relationship around school that we are not stressed and at odds around school assignments. What a joy!”
“Kelly has been instrumental in helping my 24-year-old son take control of his life through setting goals, establishing and managing a calendar, and becoming more disciplined with tasks he finds challenging.”
“Kelly provides great updates while building a strong, trusting relationship with my son. I was able to stay in the loop without micromanaging, which was one of my primary goals.”
“I wish you could have been there to hear her, she was singing your praises. It’s clear she’s really grasping her agency with her ADHD. She really resonates with the accountability you offer, and so do I. I can tell she trusts and respects you, so your words really matter to her.”
“You have changed the game, Kelly. My girl is locked in in a way I’ve never seen before, and she is starting to vocalize an appreciation for the importance of getting this school thing in order. You keep her on schedule and accountable in ways her dad and I have struggled to do.”
“My son did wonderfully during his first week of distance learning. Everything really relied on him showing initiative and follow-through. He got up and cranked through his chores and then dived into homework with unprecedented concentration like I have never seen. I really feel like we have turned a serious corner on the executive function front.”
“Thank you so much for everything. While I am not involved in or privy to my son’s work, I have seen a remarkable transformation in his confidence. Most importantly, he has clearly regained his love of learning. He is happy and thriving, and in this day and age, that’s really saying something.”
“You are amazing. I know he could not have done all of this without you. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I am so happy for him. He is just loving learning!”
“You have been absolutely crucial to her progress and feeling of success. She is independently using some of the tools you have worked on with her. She says she is feeling more and more that she will be totally prepared to manage herself by the time she goes to college, which is such a wonderful thing.”
“She is teaching him skills to stay organized through the use of a planner. She holds him accountable and has shown him how to take larger assignments and break them into smaller, more manageable parts. He scored his highest grade to date on his English mid-term. His confidence is at an all-time high.”
“Kelly helped my son develop strategies to get and stay organized. She has a toolbox of strategies and gave him choices so he could find what worked best for him. We have seen improvement in both his grades and his confidence in approaching learning.”
“It was wonderful to work with Kelly. She is very knowledgeable, compassionate and patient. She asked strategic questions to assess the individual needs of my child. It is obvious that Kelly cares deeply about kids and helping them grow both academically and emotionally.”
“My oldest chose to wake up and study this morning instead of playing basketball. When I asked my middle son what was important to him, he said school. He wants to do a better job. I think whatever you did together yesterday made them both more aware.”
“Thank you so much for the many gifts you’ve given us over the years, with your time, patience, counseling for student and parent, and friendship. I do not think this would have turned out as well without you. There are so many kids like our son who need someone like you.”
From professionals and coaches
From colleagues in this field
“Kelly is an exceptional, inspiring and very likeable teacher whose enthusiasm never waned in all the years I worked with her. She has the highest moral character, and I am confident Kelly will exceed your expectations.”
“Kelly has been an exceptional mentor to me. Kelly has shared her experiences and wisdom, providing me with valuable insights. Learning from her success and challenges has helped me avoid common mistakes.”
“She advised me on best practices by sharing her experience, knowledge, and resources. She is trustworthy, empathetic, analytical in her thinking, and advocates for the success of all students. We need more educators like her.”
Every one of these families started with the same 30-minute call
There is no obligation and no follow-up sequence if the answer turns out to be no. It is simply a conversation about what has been happening with your child.
no obligation, and nothing is booked on the call itself
Tell me a little about what has been happening and I will come back to you to arrange a time.