FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following are questions that we frequently receive. If you have questions that we have not addressed, please call us, send us an email, or fill out our contact form today.
How do we get started?

You may call me, email me, or use the contact form on this website to initiate the conversation.

The next step will be for us to connect by phone to discuss your individual situation and needs.This will also be an opportunity for you to find out more about who I am and what I do.

We will then schedule a one hour in person introductory meeting at a time that is convenient for all, in order to determine if we are all a good fit to work together.

The student must buy into the coaching process in order for coaching to have a positive effect.

Where are meetings held?
All meetings are held on Zoom, with some exceptions made for meeting in person.
How often do you meet with my child?
Meetings are held either once or twice per week, depending on the needs of the student.
How long are the meetings?

Meetings are generally one hour, though they can be scheduled for longer, and occasionally may run longer if needed – this is typically determined on an individual, case-by-case basis.

I've tried all kinds of organizational systems with my child and none of them work. How can you help?
Coaching starts with a basic organizational system the student will use. Together, the student and coach develop the system, based on what has and has not worked in the past. As every student has unique ideas about how they want to organize their materials, the system is built and refined until it has the features the student wants and uses consistently.
My child does not use a planner to keep track of homework. How do you teach a student to use a planner?

Many students have not used or currently do not use a planner. Our brains process information differently, therefore, the type of planner and how a student organizes the information will be unique to each student.

Students working with us will create a planning system using a planner of their choice. Students learn the purpose of using a planner is for much more than writing down homework assignment – planners are used for planning, working memory, prioritization, time management, and task initiation. Willingness to have and use a planner consistently is a requirement for coaching

How will I see progress?

Each student has different strengths, needs, motivation, and resiliency. Coaching is a process as much as it is a product. Weekly coaching can be a semester, a year, or more than a year – it depends on the student.

Progress may be seen both qualitatively and quantitatively from work samples, homework, increase in turning in assignments, higher grades, improvement in observable behaviors such as getting started on work, time on task, finishing work, managing emotions and behaviors.

What is the average length of time you work with a student?

For a few students, a semester is all it takes for the student to learn and apply skills and strategies independently.

The majority of the students we work with, however, receive coaching for about a year, though many students continue with Academic Coaching for more than a year – the variability in time accounts for individual needs.

 

Please feel free to reach out to Open Minds Educational Services via the contact form below. You may also send Bonnie Leaf an email, or give her a call today.