About Donna
|
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It
is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a
worthy purpose." Helen Keller Working with children flows from a background in which I have always valued a comprehensive and holistic perspective in education. My dedication is connecting with children who are struggling in school, in order to help them identify and overcome the obstacles they are facing. This commitment to children is the foundation of my career, and a huge part of who I am in the world. For over thirty years I have been assisting people, helping them to believe in themselves, and helping to guide them to success. My own education in the field began with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College in 1971, followed by a Masters Equivalent in the area of Learning Disabilities. Through the years I have taught primarily at the elementary-school and middle-school levels, as well as significant work with high-school-aged children. Also, I developed the Resource Program for the Learning Center at Tiverton Middle School in Tiverton, Rhode Island where I taught for 11 years. My 30+ years of experience have included being an Educational Coordinator at Hasbro Children's Hospital, a teacher at Eckerd Youth Alternatives -- a wilderness-diversion program for at-risk adolescents -- a Registered Polarity Therapy Practioner, and a Yoga Instructor. Additionally, I have taught Wellness Education to graduate students at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, for a period of ten years. In Marin County I worked at a learning center in San Rafael for five years and I have been in private practice as an Educational Therapist for the past 15 years. I am inspired by my students, and continually learn so much about life through their perseverance and courage to overcome adversity and reach their academic goals. The greatest joy for me is when the world of learning opens up for students. This happens when they recognize and learn to rely on their talents and abilities, wherein they experience a sense of confidence and competence in their lives. |