Associates & Resources for Parents
Here are some professionals and services that can save you time, help with school issues, admissions processes, and college and private school selections, parenting skills and summer camp experiences.
Associations:
Camps/Summer Activities:
Career Planning:
Educational Consultants:
Independent Day & Boarding Schools:
Communication
Educational Blogs & Assistance
Parenting / Life Skills:
Publications / Publishing:
Special Needs:
Tutoring:
Camille M. Bertram Educational Consultants
Fairfield and Westport, Connecticut
(203) 255-2577 or (203) 216-6863
info@cmbertramconsultants.com
www.cmbertramconsultants.com
With offices in Fairfield and Westport, the consulting team at Camille M. Bertram Educational Consultants works with the full spectrum of students facing junior and secondary boarding school, college and graduate school choices – including average, gifted and talented students, underachievers and students with special needs. Their services range from student and family advisory services and personalized school recommendations to testing and evaluation, special needs and therapeutic placement and preparation for campus visits and interviews.
"Our educational system is more complex, competitive and costly than ever," observes Cammie Bertram, founder and president, as she discusses educational challenges faced by students and their parents today. "Students have far more experience and awareness than we did at their age, with much different needs. And the social and economic environment is far less predictable."
"As parents sort through the myriad of websites, brochures and videos from various schools, it's hard to accurately assess differences that can positively or negatively influence their son or daughter," adds Cammie. "Our role is to help students and their families navigate through this new educational world, as their unbiased advocate, and, together, identify the most appropriate academic, extracurricular and social match."
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Spiegel Educational Consulting, LLC
Trumbull, CT
(203) 261-3299
spiegels2@juno.com
www.trumbullbiz.com/go2college
Mary Spiegel is an Independent Educational Consultant, advising students and families on the college search and admission process. The former director of admission at Fairfield University from 1996-2000, Mary offers her students the benefit of her direct, recent experience in admission decision-making at this selective university. Mary's consulting services draw upon more than twelve years in higher education. This broad-based university experience provides her students with an invaluable perspective—not only in the all-important topic of what colleges are looking for in a successful applicant— but with the longer term factors that lead to a successful transition to college. Her approach focuses on helping families determine the most appropriate match for the student. Among her professional affiliations in higher education, Mary has served as the University's delegate to The College Board; she was a member of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges and the National Association of Jesuit Admission Directors; and was a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, a membership she maintains today. Her ties with the college and university world continue to grow, as she travels to visit college campuses throughout the region and the country. Mary is currently a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, a national organization that certifies professional skills and training of its members.
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Tara M. Blackwell
Career Planning Services
(203) 807-2712
www.taramblackwell.com
As a Nationally Certified Counselor, Tara Blackwell's background includes experience with high school and college students as well as adult career changers. Tara provides assistance with: identifying a career focus, choosing a major, college selection and preparation, resume writing, and other career development issues. Her supportive counseling style encourages students to explore their interests and abilities and to develop and accomplish personal goals. Each student creates a customized action plan designed to provide structure and techniques to achieve results. Tara M. Blackwell holds a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Fairfield University . She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York.
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Holly McGlennon Treat
Junior and Secondary School Educational Consultant
Durham and Westport, CT
(860) 788-6114
hmtreat@cmbertramconsultants.com
www.cmbertramconsultants.com/team_treat.html
With so many options to choose from, embarking on a school search can be an overwhelming experience. Holly comes to consulting with over twelve years of experience in the field of private school admission. She has placed over 200 students in her role as a consultant and as the director of secondary school placement at a junior boarding school in Connecticut. Her intimate knowledge with the admission process as a former admission director as well as her personal relationships with admission directors throughout New England and beyond make her particularly helpful in advising and advocating for students and their families. Her broad knowledge of schools and longstanding relationships with admission directors can assist families in the school search and application process – and joining each student with the educational environment that best develops his or her academic, social and emotional potential.
Eileen Winnick
Communications Expert and Educator
Westport, CT
203-226-3807
eileen@the winnickgroup.com
www.thewinnickgroup.com
Eileen's educational experience and consulting background combined with her professional acting career bring broad support and depth to her clients. She is the communications consultant of choice (Time Inc., Conde Nast, Merrill Lynch, Interpublic, Paramount, Viacom, Novartis, Shire, Proctor + Gamble, HSN and Random House) designing and leading Presentation/Speaker Trainings, and Media Training for companies and individuals throughout the country.
As a member of SAG, AFTRA and Equity, she performed in several national commercials, in soap operas and on the stage. She teaches Film + Television Acting in NYC and in Connecticut. As a media trainer, her clients have appeared on OPRAH, The Today Show, Meet the Press, Larry King, The View, The Daily Show, Good Morning America , Charlie Rose, C- Span, MSNBC and CNN, What Not To Wear and While You Were Out.
A certified secondary school English/Speech teacher, she spent 9 years in the classroom and offers a variety of skills to students in grades 7-12.
As a performance coach, Eileen prepares students for college interviews, preps and tapes introductory DVD’s/resumes for colleges.
She coaches high school students auditioning for performing arts colleges. She provides students with invaluable audition tips-suggesting and directing monologues- and creates a success strategy that builds students’ confidence and serves their talents.
As a speech consultant, she provides the foundation for students’ speeches that creates powerful speeches/presentations and teaches them delivery skills for assured success. She coaches students for highly personal and /or public speaking occasions.
Eileen has an interdepartmental Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and English from Boston College. She was an adjunct professor of communications and performance arts.
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Susan Edwards, M.A., C.E.P.
Educational Consultant
Member of IEAC
* School, College, Special Placements
* Academic Advising
* Career Counseling
* Advocate for Students with Learning Disabilities and Therapeutic Needs
10 Pennoyer Street
Rowayton , CT 06853
(203) 866-2692
(203) 838-5999 (Fax)
sbeeducon@worldnet.att.net
Susan Edwards, M.A. has been helping clients with school, college, and summer placements for over 15 years. A former English teacher and admission's director, she provides comprehensive college counseling, academic advising, and career counseling. Many of her clients have special needs, learning disabilities or emotional / behavioral issues. Ms. Edwards works collaboratively with other professionals to identify appropriate therapeutic placements. She serves as a student advocate at private and public schools and attends PPT, IEP, and CSE meetings when appropriate. A Certified Educational Consultant and member of the Independent Educational Consultants' Association, Ms. Edwards attends national and regional conferences regularly. She frequently visits campuses, maintaining relationships with admissions, school/college/ program directors, and teachers.
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College Consulting LLC
Mary Lou Kelly, Consultant
23 Sherman Street
Fairfield, Ct. 06824
203 255-3651 Cell: 203 505-5168
www.collegeconsulting.net
collegeconsulting@earthlink.net
MAXIMIZE YOUR CHANCES FOR ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE OF YOUR CHOICE
25 years experience in College Placement
Your College Education, that decisive step to a successful future, necessitates "the right fit" for you. I can help you get there without stress.
At College Consulting LLC, you will work with an experienced professional who knows the College Admission Process, and has worked with hundreds of students like you with excellent results.
You will benefit from expert help, customized to your needs.
You will gain knowledge of Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships.
You will broaden your special talents(creative,artistic,athletic) and be empowered to use them to your advantage.
Whether you are a Freshman in high school or a Senior, it is not too early to begin or too late to receive the help you deserve.
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Marguerita Merrick
(347) 249-4224
mm296@columbia.edu
www.privateacademictutoring.com
Marguerita Merrick is a New York based private tutor, who provides academic tutoring and preparation for standardized tests to high school and middle school students from private and public schools. She tutors high school and middle school students in academic subjects and in preparing for standardized tests. Her approach is designed to increase academic performance by teaching effective studying methods and by working through and explaining difficult concepts. The goal is to simplify material and render exams and schoolwork less intimidating, to streamline the studying process in order to achieve greater results without endless hours of preparation and without piling on extra work.
Students are currently balancing a greater workload than before with the variety of subjects and tests that are required, and the aim of tutoring is to provide structure around studying. In preparing for standardized tests, students are introduced to a special set of skills which are often not acquired in the classroom in addition to the necessary strategies to maximize points in each section. Students also learn how to write compelling and effective college essays.
Experience has shown that students respond more readily to an individualized approach than to the preset programs offered by agencies. Sessions are tailored to the student’s specific needs and individual learning style, and as a result students become more confident test takers, more motivated to do the work and more aware of their strengths. This unique approach has produced dramatic overall improvements and substantial grade and score increases. Students have less anxiety around schoolwork and are encouraged to achieve their potential.
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The Camp Connection
(800) 834-CAMP (2267)
www.campstore.com
Since 1984, we have been a reputable source of reliable information on:
- Summer Sleepaway Camps
- Specialty Sports Programs
- Summer Teen Tours
- Community Service Programs
- Pre-College Summer Programs
- Academic Programs
- Travel Abroad
- Domestic & Int'l Summer Travel Program
Our FREE service will provide information and guidance on appropriate types of summer sleepaway camp programs and travel programs for children and teens. We can accommodate partial and full season needs. Chat with a camp consultant and learn about some of the 500 programs available for your students’ summer. We can advise you on camps for boys, camps for girls, co-ed camps and camps for teens. Information, videos and DVDs will be mailed promptly to you. Whatever your needs, our camp experts have the perfect summer solutions for your child or teen.
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