From students and families who’ve been through it.
I was in coaching for about five years, always focusing on time management and schedules. But when I’d sit down to do the work, it was so overwhelming. I’d do a little bit and I couldn’t get anything out of it.
I’d read an entire article, and none of it would stick. Like, none. It made me feel inadequate. It really hurt my self-esteem. I would hand in reflection assignments on readings I couldn’t do.
Working with Richard was a completely different experience. He understood right away that I wanted to get into the work, but I just couldn’t.
He changed the way the information was being presented and now I have no problem understanding it. I’m more engaged, I participate in class now. It’s easy to get into a flow.
We’ve done everything. Executive function coaching, specialized reading programs, auditory processing — none of it gave us the results we were looking for.
Her executive function coach made her feel stupid every single time, made her feel disorganized, made her feel unprepared. She cried heading into the sessions.
Richard was different. He was able to verbalize the shame — that was not something I had thought about. He would say things and I’m like, oh my God, you hit it on the nose, even though I would not have been able to verbalize that that’s probably what she’s been experiencing.
His approach was more like, let’s figure out what strategy will work for you because you are not abnormal in any way. The system is built for a certain type of brain. Your brain works differently. So let’s figure out what we put in place so that you can succeed.
After each session she would say things like, ‘Oh yeah, Richard and I came up with this thing, and now I know how to do that.’ She applies it across her different courses now. She’s advocating for herself.
It’s the one experience I’ve had where I won’t say that we wasted our money because you can actually see the progress. We just didn’t before.
I talk with you about your child, their academic history, what’s been tried. No cost, no obligation.
Your child sees the system live. If you proceed to the full program, this is applied to your setup cost.
I review your child’s learning profile, build the system across all their courses, and walk your child through everything. Sessions are to ensure your child has what they need and knows how to use the system. Typically three to six sessions. The system is functioning within the first week.
Full-service material preparation: +$500
$300/course when the student provides materials. $500/course when I source and prepare everything.
When a recurring challenge shows up across courses, I build a tool for it. A metacognitive writing tutor that walks your child through the traps they make in their own writing. A physics tutor that walks your child through complex material like they are at a science centre exhibit, so concepts land deeply and formulas finally make sense. These are tools your child keeps and uses going forward.
Please note: Long-standing patterns of avoidance are nervous system defaults. Even when a student is given tools that work, they may need additional support getting to the work itself. I build the ramp. Getting to the ramp may require other support. I’m happy to coordinate with organizational coaches or any other professionals already in place for your child. Coordination sessions: $250.
Re-explains material your child still can’t process on their own. When the tutor leaves, the understanding leaves with them.
Focuses on scheduling, planning, and habits. It’s valuable for students who need it. But for students who are fundamentally blocked from making meaning from the material, it’s solving a different problem.
Solves the problem underneath. I rebuild the material so your child can actually engage with it. Everything else follows from there. Your child works independently.