Who I Work With
Understanding each learner’s profile
I specialize in one thing: helping families of children with learning differences find the right school across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia — not college planning, not tutoring, not test prep, but the K–12 placement decision itself, done with the depth and care it deserves. For more than fifteen years I’ve guided families through this process, reviewing hundreds of educational evaluations and IEPs along the way, so I understand what a child’s testing actually means for the classroom they’ll walk into each morning.
The learners I know best
Every child learns in their own way
Each of these profiles presents differently at different ages, calls for a different school environment, and requires knowing which programs in the DMV actually deliver what they promise — not just which ones say they do.
Reading, spelling, and written expression can make a bright child feel anything but bright. I know which DMV schools have genuine, structured literacy programs — Orton-Gillingham and beyond — versus those that simply say they “support” struggling readers. That difference matters enormously, and it’s rarely visible from a website or a tour.
Attention, organization, and follow-through shape a child’s whole school day, and ADHD looks very different at 7 than at 15. I look for settings where structure, pacing, and teacher awareness match how your child actually works — so their ability, not their paperwork, is what shows up in their grades.
Fit here is about far more than academics: sensory environment, social scaffolding, flexibility, and staff who understand neurodivergent communication. I help families find schools where a child can be genuinely understood rather than merely accommodated.
Sometimes a family comes to me because the current school simply isn’t working — a child is unhappy, avoidant, or falling behind, and everyone is worn down. I help you understand why the fit broke down, so the next choice is grounded in insight rather than urgency. Culture and counseling support can matter as much as academics.
A profile I’m asked about often
Twice-exceptional (2e) learners
Gifted and facing a learning difference is one of the hardest profiles to place well, because so many schools are built to serve one side or the other, not both. These children need real intellectual challenge and real support at the same time. Knowing which DMV programs can genuinely hold both is a large part of what I do.
Private schools — and public schools
Including the decision itself
Most consultants place children in private schools only. I do a lot of that too, and I know the independent-school landscape across the DMV well. But many families arrive still weighing a more fundamental question: should we stay in our public school with an IEP or 504, or is private the better path — and how do we even decide? Because I read the evaluations and understand what public schools are obligated to provide, I can help you think clearly about both roads before you commit to either one. Whatever you decide, you’ll understand the trade-offs and feel confident in the choice.
Schedule a consultationIf any of this sounds like your family, I’d welcome a conversation. The first step is simply understanding your child and what you’re hoping to find. If your child doesn’t fit neatly into one of these descriptions, that’s normal — most children don’t. What matters is that I take the time to understand your particular child before we ever talk about schools.