SCHOOL AND BEYOND

building skills for a lifetime of learning and success

OVERVIEW

SCHOOL AND BEYOND is a private coaching, tutoring, and consulting practice specializing in academic skill development, executive function growth and development, and brain-based learning strategies. Using a multi-sensory approach, SCHOOL AND BEYOND utilizes assigned schoolwork as a springboard and supports and instructs students in specific subject areas. At the same time executive function and study skills that apply directly to their current work and daily lives are modeled. This approach teaches students how to learn thoroughly in less time, improve the quality of their work, monitor their own progress, and make productive and informed decisions. With practice and support, they become confident and independent learners. School and Beyond also specializes in programs for students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade as well as from high school to college.

SERVICES

Consultations and private work sessions can occur in person in Topsfield, MA or online via ZOOM.

School and Beyond offers a free initial consultation meeting for students and parents with no obligation.

All programs are individualized and include ongoing communication and regular progress updates.

The rate for School and Beyond services is $125/ hour. As always, special circumstances will be taken into account.

Depending on the individual needs of each student, any combination of the following areas can be included in a program plan:

Executive Function Skills includes working memory, time management, organization, task initiation and follow-through, mental flexibility, self-regulation and self-monitoring.

Brain-Based Study and Learning Strategies includes but not limited to skills for: test preparation and test-taking, memorization, time management, organization, note-taking, textbook reading comprehension and fluency, the writing process, math strategies, public speaking and presentation readiness.

Writing includes elementary and middle school writing skills and practice; high school level instruction and support using the writing process for descriptive, narrative, expository, argumentative, persuasive, analytical and reflective essays; research papers and projects; college application prompts and essays.

Reading Skills and Fluency using structured phonics as a foundation.

Reading Comprehension includes elementary, middle and high school strategies for textbooks, primary sources, internet articles, essays, and standardized tests. Reading comprehension instruction includes note-taking skills.

Math– instruction and support for elementary and middle school math; high school level algebra and geometry.

Standardized Test Preparation – most often for the SSAT, SAT and/or ACT.

College Transition – includes counseling and support for managing the college selection process, interviewing skills, and thorough and organized application completion that highlight students’ academic and personal attributes.

8th-9th Transition– includes Executive Function, Brain-Based Learning Strategies, Writing, and Reading Comprehension (see above). Programs focus on familiarizing students with the many new structures and expectations they will face upon entering high school.

Programs for Parents- support for parents of school-age children and adolescents. Topics include, but are not limited to: how to provide structure and support for students at home; advocating successfully for students; understanding public school support programs including Special Education regulations and procedures and Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Programs for Teachers- Includes, but not limited to, in-service group work as well as individualized instruction for teachers to learn how to integrate executive function skills and learning strategies into their day-to-day curriculum, identify students who are struggling, and how to address students’ individualized needs in the classroom.

Support for parents of school-age children and adolescents.

WHO CAN BENEFIT

SCHOOL AND BEYOND programs benefits individuals of all ages who:

want to experiment with new strategies that will lead to more success and better outcomes in and out of school
are transitioning from one school to another or one workplace to another
say that school doesn’t relate to their lives or what they are interested in
have great ideas but have trouble expressing them in writing
find it hard to stay focused
need help getting started on and completing tasks
work quickly, without taking the time to make sure their work is accurate or complete
want to understand and apply new information instead of rote memorization for tests

SCHOOL AND BEYOND OUTCOMES

SCHOOL AND BEYOND teaches students and adults how to use systems they need for academic and personal success. These include:

time management and prioritizing
study strategies
organizational skills
problem solving skills
metacognitive skills
self-advocacy skills
communication skills
emotional regulation
better grades

WHAT IS EXECUTIVE FUNCTION?

Unrelated to intelligence or academic competence, executive function skills allow us to meet the growing challenges of school, work, and life. We are expected to manage our emotions and attention, organize and plan our work and time, study thoroughly, think back on and then revise, if needed, our tactics when situations change. When these skills are underdeveloped, a gap can emerge between our personal and academic potential and our everyday performance.

Executive function takes place primarily in the frontal lobes of the brain which are among the last to fully develop. Starting prior to young adolescence and commonly ending during an individual’s mid-twenties, executive function depends on the effectiveness of three types of brain activity to work together: working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. These mental processes allow us to plan, focus our attention, remember instructions, and juggle a variety of tasks successfully. In order for executive skills to develop, the brain has to practice them over and over again over long periods of time. SCHOOL AND BEYOND can play a crucial role in guiding the learning and development of executive skills.

BIO

Cindy Mahler, M.Ed. has been teaching, advising, and supporting students and their families for more than 30 years. Over the course of her career she has excelled in the roles of special education case manager and teacher, reading and writing specialist, academic advisor, tutor in all subjects, transition counselor, brain-based study skills teacher, and finally, the consolidation of all of these: SCHOOL AND BEYOND Academic Life Coach, teacher, advisor, and consultant. Cindy is a dedicated professional who is passionate about her work. She enjoys the uniqueness of each of her clients and witnessing their transformation from being frustrated, overwhelmed and disinterested to being confident and resilient life-long learners.

TESIMONIALS

“Cindy has been a lifesaver for my son. She made a learning plan tailored to his needs and regularly reviewed what would work best for him. Her enthusiasm was welcomed by him and his parents. This level of extraordinary educational skill set is remarkable. Cindy’s patience is as large as I have ever seen but what is the very best is what she brings with her genuine kindness and truly caring. The proof is how much my son looks forward to his sessions with her and how wonderfully he has responded and improved in all aspects of learning and learning how to learn. My son’s life has been changed for the better forever thanks to Cindy.”

–parent

“Cindy is an extraordinarily talented, experienced, and thoughtful educator.”

Tom, School Psychologist

“Cindy was an essential and critical part of the success that three of my sons achieved while they were at Hanover High School. They all needed support, at times intensively, from a Learning Specialist in order to make their way through the academic curriculum. Cindy made that happen in a healthy, positive and proactive way that ensured the best possible outcome for each of them. She totally understands how to relate to high school students with learning differences in a way that few other teachers really know how to do. I can honestly say that Cindy is one of the finest educators I have ever encountered or had the pleasure to work with during my 38 years of having four sons, all with different learning needs and challenges, in both public and private schools in New England.“
Pia, parent

“My mother made me sign up for the supervised study class when I started high school. I didn’t want to and went to class with a really bad attitude. But it turned out to be good for me. Ms. Mahler took the time to get to know me and help me with my work and also talked to me privately to make sure everything was okay. I’ve never had a teacher that I knew really cared about me and how I was doing. She also taught me ways to study that really helped me.”
Katie, student

“I am so proud to say Cindy is hands down the biggest reason I was able to graduate from HHS, and do as well as I did the 4 years I spent there. I can not begin to describe how great my experience was with her and how much she helped every single day. Dyslexia runs in my family and I was lucky enough to start with Cindy as a freshman. It made the difficulties of school so much easier and my life so much better. School was something I never really enjoyed but getting to work with Cindy made it bearable for me and without a doubt the time spent in her room are my favorite memories and where I got the most done. All thanks to her I graduated doing quite well and have lived a success happy life ever since. I’m so lucky to have had her for the entire time as I know my high school experience would have been undoable without her. You will be forever grateful if you are lucky enough to work with her!”
Kevin, student

“I had the great pleasure of spending three wonderful years with Cindy Mahler at Hanover High School. I started at Hanover High School struggling in every aspect of education. But because of Cindy I graduated Magna Cum Laude and I couldn’t have done it without you!!!!”
Andrew, student

“Ms. Mahler has been invaluable to my son’s success in high school. Her knowledge of the high school curriculum and teacher expectations has helped my son navigate his coursework and helped him prioritize his classwork and study schedule. More importantly, Cindy’s training and expertise in executive function behavior modification has helped my son recognize and utilize his strengths and modify his areas of weakness. Ms. Mahler has been highly involved in all school meetings with my son, and has provided incite that I did not have as his parent. I would highly recommend Cindy Mahler’s services for any student who struggles with complacency, inattention or lack of motivation. She will be sure to get them on a new path in a kind, supportive and long lasting manner.”

Karen, parent

“Navigating High School can be very tough due to needing to balance many different things. Ms. Mahler helped me balance all of my school work and improved my proactive abilities at the same time. She taught me how to study, how to prioritize my work, and how I learn best. Not only that, but I am more confident talking to teachers and figuring out ways to get help if I ever need it. Ms. Mahler has truly helped me become the student and person I am today and I am very grateful. I would recommend her help to anyone even if they feel they don’t need it, she will help you find ways to improve yourself even further.“
Eric, student

“You gave me the confidence and support I needed to graduate and go to college. When my guidance counselor told my dad she didn’t think I was going to go to college or do well in life I was about to give up. You were there to pick me back up again and give me the push and skills I needed.”

Alina, student

“I just read S’s final essay for English. It was really fantastic work and she said to me that working with you has been so much fun and she has gained so much more confidence in her writing. So thank you for all your help! “

Lisa, parent

Brilliant Tutor/ Clear Results

Before working with Cindy, my son was like an absent-minded professor: brilliant, yet prone to losing assignments, making silly mistakes (e.g., forgetting to notice the backside of a test), and hopelessly disorganized. His grades were either 100s or failing grades. Partway through this school year, he was diagnosed with inattentive ADD. While medicine has helped some, what really made the difference was his weekly tutoring sessions with Cindy. She taught him organizational strategies, how to use a day planner, tips for avoiding silly mistakes, effective study skills and about meta cognition. The end result: he’s gone two marking periods in a row with straight A’s, and is ending 8th grade feeling confident as he transitions to high school. Cindy is quite knowledgeable, experienced, and ever-so patient. Always encouraging to my son (and myself), she comes prepared to each session. It’s amazing how much she fits into an hour. And as a parent, I’m extremely thankful for the lesson summary she sends me afterwards! Don’t hesitate. You’ll be happy you chose Cindy for your child’s tutoring needs.

Jason, parent