Experienced Teacher,

Tutor

and

College Application Coach

I offer social, emotional & academic coaching for students of all ages and abilites

  • What I Offer

    Based upon my teaching , counseling, and parenting experiences and education, I offer an Individualized, holistic approach to teach, support, and guide students to become more confident and engaged academically, socially, and emotionally. I have the experience, background, and training to work with students managing a variety of learning differences including: Executive Function Disorder, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyslexia, Depression Slow Processing Speeds, OCD & Anxiety.

  • My Experience

    I am a licensed (middle & high school) English teacher. I have a master’s degree in Adlerian Psychotherapy with a concentration and license in school counseling; I received training/certification from Harvard’s Summer Institute for College Admissions, and I am a certified, through Brené Brown, as a Daring Way© & BOLD© facilitator. I have over 20 years teaching and tutoring experience and have worked with hundreds of students.

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  • College Preparation

    I have visited campuses throughout the country and worked with hundreds of students & their parents—including my own six children—to navigate college admissions.. No matter where you are in the process, I can help: prepare for ACT/SAT tests, select “fit” schools, create activity lists, complete applications, write essays, and manage deadlines.

  • Academic Support

    I work with students by teaching them tools to gain confidence and learn essential academic skills including: Writing, Reading, Testing, Studying, and Managing Time & Assignments. I am also experienced working with both families and schools to help students receive appropriate guidance and/or accommodations.

  • Social/Emotional

    I have developed age-appropriate lessons and activities using my teaching, parenting, and education, supplemented by studying the research/works of Brené Brown, Diane Gossen, and Alfred Adler, to encourage positive communication, build empathy, better understand feelings, and foster self-acceptance

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  • Test Preparation

    For over 20 years I have helped students successfully prepare for the following tests: MCA, MAP, AP Exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT and GRE

  • Workshops, Retreats, & Presentations

    I have developed, facilitated, and led retreats and small groups and presented to large groups of students and adults throughout the Twin Cites.

  • Consulting

    I meet with families to discuss high school and college plans, and I am experienced and trained to assist parents and students navigate learning differences including help with IEP & 504 plans, appropriate accommodations, and assistive support tools.

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Testimonials

Mary Kay has been a life saver. Not only can she jump in and tutor any middle school subject completely off the cuff, she knows how to build a real relationship with kids. She genuinely cares, fosters a love of learning and a holistic approach to helping my son be the best version of himself-all with humor and grace!”

—Molly Peterson (parent & 4 year client)

I cannot speak highly enough of Mary Kay. I’ve been seeing her for nine years and nobody does a better job, or cares more about their clients, more than she does!

~ Current College Student worked together since middle school developing study & organization skills, ACT Test Prep, and college applications & essays.

We connected with Mary Kay to help us with the Common App and college essay process. Her knowledge was so helpful to us as first-timers going through the college admissions process. Beyond helping helping my daughter fill out the app to showcase her skills to the utmost, she is super knowledgeable about colleges and was able to recommend a few that we hadn’t considered. She took every essay and helped make it so much more fabulous by asking clarifying questions and highlighting areas that needed more detail. If you want your kids to feel like a million bucks, then I couldn’t recommend Mary Kay more highly. I joined in every session, not to oversee, but because I enjoyed the camaraderie, the ideation and loved seeing how she helped my daughter blossom with pride.

~Parent of a high school senior