Interview with an Expert: Nicole Connell

Our October issue of “Interview with an Expert” features Nicole Connell, a mentor and Educational Therapist who focuses on giving kids a voice and a say in their own journey. She offers personalized educational support programs and consultations for children who learn best outside of the box. She specializes in supporting children with learning differences as well as those who are in alternative education. She is also a mentor for pre-teen and teen girls and the creator of Girls Shine Bright Leadership Circles. At the core, she supports children and teens in being seen for who they are, honored for their uniqueness, and supported in their growth.

How did you get into the educational consulting field? What made you decide to venture out on your own?

I have always loved working with children. In 2011, I was a kindergarten teacher and loved what I was doing but wanted to find a way to work with kids 1:1 or in smaller groups. I heard about the field of Educational Therapy and it resonated with me so much that I decided to go to graduate school and learn more about learning differences. After working at a couple learning clinics, I started my own business and I love that I’ve been able to have the freedom to create my own unique child-centered approach.

Any advice about coping with the constant changes now?

We are living in challenging times. Extending compassion to the children in our lives as well as ourselves can be so helpful. In particular, I am a big fan of Kristen Neff’s Self-Compassion work and her TED Talk.

What do you find most exciting about education right now?

I am really excited about the number of families that are seeking alternative education. There are so many ways to create a unique education tailored to individual needs outside of the conventional path.

Tell us your most inspirational story from your career.

So many of the kids I work with feel like they are the only ones struggling with learning differences but there are so many kids who have similar experiences. One student I worked with saw a video of a boy creating an arcade out of cardboard and wanted to do the same. I thought that was a great idea so I created a group event where kids could create a cardboard arcade together. What they came up with blew my mind. They came up with an arcade that included a basketball wall, a fortune telling booth made from a giant box, and other fun games. One of the students was even the business manager and in charge of tickets and prizes. Their family members were our customers. Everyone had a blast. It was so nice for families to come together and celebrate who these kids are and what they can do. The students saw they were not alone and that we were all here to help each other with our tricky areas as well as celebrate each other's areas of strengths. It was an afternoon of fun, innovation and community! It’s definitely one of my favorite moments as an Educational Therapist.

What are you most passionate about right now?

I’m currently really passionate about helping parents learn to deeply support their children. I find it exciting to teach parents how to see their children holistically and navigate their educational journey while supporting their self-esteem and confidence. I also am really loving working with families who are leaving school and helping them with deschooling and unschooling. With alternative education, there is so much space for creativity and an ability for kids to stay really attuned to themselves and who they are. I love helping unschoolers and homeschoolers to develop passion projects to really foster the areas where they shine.

What’s a message you would like to send out to parents, students, and teachers who are reading this right now?

I believe there are so many kinds of "smart" and everyone has a unique brilliance. It's so fun to help kids discover and nurture their own unique brilliance! It's also one of the most effective ways I've found to build confidence and self-esteem. Celebrating neurodiversity and looking for what kids can do are so incredibly impactful!

Thanks so much to Nicole for providing us with such an inspirational glimpse into her experience and educational consulting. If you’re interested in working with her, you can contact her at this link.

To learn more about Pacific Preparatory, request a consultation here and we’ll be in touch.