MAIA Education

Title: "Webinar: How to Help Teens Grow Through the College Application Process"

Description:

The college application process can be a stressful time for teenagers and their parents alike. From choosing the right school to writing compelling essays, there are a lot of decisions to be made. However, with the right guidance and support, this process can also be an opportunity for personal growth and development.

We hope that you will find this webinar valuable and informative, whether you're a parent, educator, or anyone who works with teenagers.

New Blog Post How to Help Teens Grow Through the College Application

When a high school student is struggling in school – whether for academic, social-emotional, or other reasons – it could be time to consider other school options. This isn’t a decision to be made lightly since a school transition, even when it’s the right approach, is a big deal for a teenager. However, finding the right school environment could be the key to helping your child thrive during these critical years.

Check out our article, "Should You Consider a School Transition for Your Teen?" to find out common reasons to consider a transfer and how to find the best school option for your child.

Should you consider a school transition for your teen? When a high school student is struggling in school – whether for academic, social-emotional, or other reasons – it could be time to consider other school options. This isn’t a decision to be made lightly since a school transition, even when it’s the right approach, is a big deal for a teenag...

We invite you to join us for our upcoming in-person, interdisciplinary panel discussion, When to Worry about an Anxious Child. This event will be hosted at the Alexander Robertson School, and we are honored to have Head of School, Brinton Parsen, join us with Donna Dalgetty, MD, Anna Goodearl, PhD, Jerry Pavlon-Blum, EDM, MA, and Sharon Thomas, MSc, MSEd. This dynamic and comprehensive discussion will address the medical, social/emotional, parenting and academic needs typically seen in children and adolescents experiencing anxiety. Whether you are a parent or a professional, you will leave this presentation equipped with knowledge and resources.

Topics and questions discussed will include:

📌What are the signs of anxiety?
📌What are the different kinds of anxiety?
📌How can anxiety affect a child emotionally?
📌How can anxiety affect a child academically?
📌What can you do if you see signs of anxiety in your child?
📌What resources are available?

Location: Alexander Robertson School, 3 West 95th Street, New York, NY
Tickets: $35 per person
For tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/when-to-worry-about-an-anxious-child-tickets-445146072887?aff=affiliate1

Competitive private schools, boarding schools, and most specialized New York City high schools require that students take a standardized admissions exam. Careful, timely preparation can make a big difference.

Find out why it's important to prepare and when to start preparing in our article on "Preparing for High School Admission Tests (ISEE / SSAT / SHSAT / HSPT)." https://tinyurl.com/47pk57zk

In-Person Presentation : Raising Complex Teens with ADHD/LD/Anxiety A Panel Discussion and Networking Opportunity

Join us for our upcoming in-person, interdisciplinary panel discussion, Raising Complex Teens with ADHD/LD/Anxiety.

Time & Location
May 09, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
New York, 24 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023, EUA

About the event
We invite you to join us for our upcoming in-person, interdisciplinary panel discussion, Raising Complex Teens with ADHD/LD/Anxiety. This event will be hosted at the Robert Louis Stevenson School, and we are honored to have Head of School, Chris Ongaro join us with Kenny Creed, MSEd, Scott Quasha, PsyD, Scott Palyo, MD, and Sharon Thomas, MSc, MSEd. This dynamic and comprehensive discussion will address the medical, social/emotional, parenting, and academic needs typically seen in teens that may not fit neatly into only one diagnostic criteria. You will leave this event equipped with knowledge and resources.

Topics discussed will include:

📌Empowering teens with ADHD/LD/Anxiety
📌Helping our teens increase their self-reliance and independence for greater academic success
📌Increasing motivation in teens with ADHD/LD/Anxiety
📌The middle and high school challenges and expectations for teens with ADHD/LD/Anxiety
📌Helping our teens set and achieve goals
📌Setting our own parental expectations and celebrating growth

For more information and registration, go to:
www.maiaeducation.com/event

FREE WEBINAR
School Admissions: Demystifying the ISEE and SSAT Tests

Join this dynamic talk to learn about the differences between the ISEE and SSAT and how to prepare your student for either test.
About this event

Are you looking ahead to the coming independent school application season for Fall 2023? Although there have been major changes to standardized testing policies, test scores are still being used as part of the application review process. Since standardized testing may be part of your application, we are providing you with free information about what you need to know.

Join our webinar School Admissions: Demystifying the ISEE and SSAT Tests on April 27, 2022. MAIA Education Founder and Educational Director, Sharon Thomas, will facilitate a conversation among professionals to explain and demystify the admissions testing options and process.

Topics discussed will include:
📌The role of ISEE and SSAT scores in the application process
📌The similarities and differences between the tests
📌How and when your child should start preparing for the ISEE or SSAT
📌Securing testing accommodations for your child if needed

OUR SPEAKERS
Nick Kruter, MS
Nick Kruter serves as the Academic and School Placement Advisor at MAIA Education Resource Center. He has unique experience in admissions counseling and recruitment having worked in both boarding school (The Hotchkiss School) and college admissions (Tufts University and Davidson College). Nick is devoted to crafting distinct solutions for students' academic futures as he guides them through the different steps of the admissions process. Nick completed his BA in Political Science at Davidson College in North Carolina, and earned his MS in Organizational Change Management from The New School's Milano School of Policy, Management and Environment.

Claire Raether, MSEd
Claire Raether is a long-time MAIA educator who has helped many MAIA students prepare for the ISEE and SSAT. She is a learning specialist who earned her bachelor's degree in International Economics from the University of San Francisco and her master’s degree in Education with an Extension in Students with Disabilities from Brooklyn College.

Lora Martinez, MA
Lora Martinez serves as an Education Advisor at MAIA Education Resource Center, and she is a mother of three who recently navigated the high school admissions process with her eldest child. Lora is also an experienced educator who was a New York City public school teacher and literacy coach for nearly a decade, and a staff developer for grades 3 through 8. She holds a BA in English from Fairfield University and an MA in Education from Fordham University.

Sharon Thomas, MSc, MSEd
Sharon Thomas is a Learning Specialist and Educational Consultant. She is the Founder and Director of MAIA Education Resource Center, an organization started over ten years ago to identify and provide timely educational services. As the leader of MAIA, which is named after her daughter, Sharon guides a team of talented teachers with general and special education training who are invested in the overall development and success of their students. MAIA works with students K-College with and without learning differences through 1:1 tutoring, executive function coaching, test preparation, school placement, and workshops. Sharon is passionate about giving all students access to learning. Her work and advocacy for individual students, families and in schools reflect her belief that healthy learning environments understand and prioritize individual development and best research based teaching practices. She currently serves on the board of Promise Project, a non-for-profit organization that helps at-risk children with learning disabilities obtain the support they need to learn. Sharon completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Georgetown University and earned a master's degree in Child Psychology at University College London as well as a master's degree in General and Special Education at Hunter College.

Registrations :
www.maiaeducation.com/event

Join Dr. Peter Pramataris for a discussion about how to help teens break screen addiction.

About this Event:
One of the main concerns of parents and educators is how the dramatic rise in screen use due to virtual learning has resulted in screen addiction for many youngsters.

In Breaking Our Teens' Screen Addiction, we welcome neuropsychologist, Dr. Peter Pramataris, founder of Pramataris & Associates and longtime director of the Center for Attention and Learning at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital. In conversation with MAIA Education’s founder and director, Sharon Thomas, Dr. Pramataris will address specific issues related to screen addiction and offer effective strategies and interventions that you can use to help your teen.

Topics discussed will include:

📌 The relationship of screen use to anxiety, depression, and general mental health
📌 The signs of screen addiction
📌 Understanding healthy screen use for learning and socialization
📌 Strategies for managing your child's withdrawal symptoms with patience and understanding
📌 Educating your child about FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and managing their anxiety

About Our Speakers

🔸Peter Premataris, PsyD

Dr. Pramataris is the founder & director of Pramataris & Associates. For over a decade, Dr. Pramataris served as the director of the Center for Attention and Learning at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, where he headed the neuropsychological assessment and consultation services. He continues to instruct post-doctoral residents for Lenox Hill Hospital's department of psychiatry, who awarded him for excellence in teaching. Dr. Pramataris advises on several boards, including the New York Neuropsychology Group, the Lang School, and AbleTo, a national-scale behavioral health company that he co-founded in 2008. Dr. Pramataris completed clinical training at NYU Medical Center, St. Mary's Hospital for Children, and Lenox Hill Hospital. He received a combined doctorate in school psychology and child clinical psychology from Yeshiva University.

🔸Sharon Thomas, MSc, MSEd (Facilitator)

Sharon Thomas is a Learning Specialist and Educational Consultant. She is the Founder and Director of MAIA Education Resource Center, an organization started over ten years ago to identify and provide timely educational services. As the leader of MAIA, named after her daughter, Sharon guides a team of talented teachers with general and special education training who are invested in the overall development and success of their students. MAIA works with students K-College with and without learning differences through 1:1 tutoring, executive function coaching, test preparation, school placement, and workshops. Sharon is passionate about giving all students access to learning. Her work and advocacy for individual students, families and in schools reflect her belief that healthy learning environments understand and prioritize individual development and best research based teaching practices.

Are you interested?
Register for the webinar here -->> https://www.maiaeducation.com/webinars

FREQUENT QUESTIONS MAIA EDUCATION RECEIVES:

Q; What is the right school for my child?

A: The right school for your child will both help him/her discover their strengths /talents while maintaining their motivation to work on their weaknesses.

While we may not have an exact science behind school placement decisions, we know when something is not working.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask about tutoring, school placement, test preparation, college admissions? How can we help you and your family?

FREQUENT QUESTIONS MAIA EDUCATION RECEIVES:

Q; What is the right school for my child?

A: The right school for your child will both help him/her discover their strengths /talents while maintaining their motivation to work on their weaknesses.

While we may not have an exact science behind school placement decisions, we know when something is not working.

Do you have any questions you would like to ask about tutoring, school placement, test preparation, college admissions? How can we help you and your family?

Nick has unique experience in academic and admissions counseling and recruitment having worked in a variety of settings including boarding schools, college admissions, and most recently for an organization that specializes in professional development courses for teachers. He guides students and their families through the school admissions process, helping to craft distinct solutions for MAIA students’ academic futures.

“The school admissions process can be a challenging experience for students and families. MAIA supports families through the entire school admissions process, carefully considering the best fit for every student. Our goal is for each student to feel valued and experience success in their current school or new academic placement.", according
​
His areas of expertise/specialties include:
• School Admission Strategy
• Application Management
• Academic Planning
• Boarding School Admissions
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Application writing coach

Prior to joining MAIA, Nick was the Director of Community and Outreach for FolioCollaborative, an online platform used by independent schools to manage faculty professional development. Working with a variety of independent schools throughout the United States, Nick was exposed to the essential efforts these institutions are making to manage professional development, learning, and evaluation. Before joining the team at FolioCollaborative, Nick held admissions counseling positions at The Hotchkiss School and Tufts University. As an admissions' counselor at Hotchkiss, he interviewed prospective students and their families, evaluated applications, served on the 9th-grade selection committee, and supported recruiting efforts in the Northeast. At Tufts, Nick managed recruitment territories in Virginia, Long Island, and Massachusetts evaluated applications, and co-directed the campus visit program.

Nick received his B,A in Political Science from Davidson College in North Carolina and earned his M.S in Organizational Change Management from The New School’s Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment.

Over the years, MAIA Education Resource Center has cultivated professional relationships with respected experts in the area.

Sometimes a multidisciplinary approach is required in order to the student achieve expected goals.

We can make appropriate recommendations for more comprehensive evaluations and related services.

✔Psychologists
✔Neuropsychologists
✔Psychiatrists
✔Occupational therapists
✔Physical therapists
✔Speech/language therapists
✔Special Education Attorneys

The SAT is a challenging exam that thousands of students around the world take every year. A high score can be the deciding factor in a college admissions decision.

Most colleges and universities admit students with a range of scores, and you should research the average SAT scores for admitted students at the schools on your list. Aiming for a score of 1400 or higher will put you in a competitive applicant pool; however, the range for top colleges is 1450-1545, depending on the year.

Here are some simple tips for boosting your scores.

1. Practice Makes Perfect:

Have you ever seen a marathon runner or a team win a championship without time spent practicing? Consistent practice and a focus on strategy help them understand how they can improve their performance.

Approaching your SAT with the same commitment to consistent practice and strategizing will help. The College Board offers Official Mock tests you can use for practice. The questions closely resemble the actual SAT exam, so you can become familiar with question types and identify areas for development. Taking a mock test will also help you identify areas of strength and weakness.

2. Do a SWOT Analysis:

A SWOT Analysis will help you assess your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

After taking a mock test, take time to assess which topics are strengths and which topics are weaknesses. Identify as opportunities those areas where you can improve and thus boost your score, and also identify as threats those areas where you are likely to answer incorrectly if you are not cautious and prepared. Understanding where you need to focus your efforts to shore up weaknesses will help you build your study plan and use your time efficiently and effectively. Do the SWOT Analysis after each mock test, a**lyzing the questions you answered incorrectly, and identify the knowledge gaps in order to mark your progress.

3. Approach Questions Effectively

Underline Keywords:
Underlining keywords will help you focus on what the question is asking and avoid careless mistakes.

Use Elimination Techniques:
If you are not sure about the correct answer, eliminate the ones you know are wrong. This strategy will increase your chances of getting questions right or help you arrive at the correct answer.

Recheck your answers:
Try to finish each section with time remaining, so you have time to recheck the answers you were not sure about. This process will help you improve your accuracy as well as catch any errors.

Attempt all Questions:
There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the SAT, so it is important to make your best guess on each question; do not leave any answers blank. Although you might not know the answer, you will still have a 25% chance of getting it right.

4. Take It More Than Once

If possible, it is a good idea to take the SAT more than once. Most schools superscore the SAT, which means that if you submit multiple scores, they will take the highest scores from each section to calculate your total score. Taking the test multiple times allows you to identify where you still need to improve so you can focus your study efforts effectively.

Preparing for the SAT requires practice, persistence, and a good study plan. Like most athletes, a good coach can make a positive difference in your preparation by helping you understand the test and scoring, as well as strengthening your understanding of any content areas. MAIA Education Resource Center is ready to be that coach and help you achieve your best performance.

Often times, it can feel overwhelming to make the important decisions for a child. MAIA Education Parents' Consultation is the first step to our understanding of how we can help you and your family.

Education is a lifetime process with no true beginning or end. Education consists of experience, environment, socialization, and communication. John Dewey assumed that “all genuine education comes through experience.”

For a long time, education was seen as a matter of reading and writing, math and physics formulas, and being prepared for and other exams. That is just a small part of what education is.

It is during their school years that students learn how to communicate, they develop their interpersonal, problem solving and social-emotional skills.

The knowledge that is attained through education helps open doors to a lot of opportunities for better prospects in career growth.
Education is life.

* Meet our Team I Keith Haber - Associate Director *

Keith has over a decade of experience in education and has worked at MAIA from the beginning.
​
According to him, "Navigating the educational system in NYC can be a complicated and daunting task. We are here to help demystify this process and help you get the best educational options for your child."

His areas of expertise/specialties include:

​✔️Helping families know what to ask for in IEP/IESP meetings
​✔️Advising on how to get approval for enhanced rate SETSS
​✔️Researching school placement options
​✔️Advising families on how to get support from the NYC Department of Education (DOE)
​✔️Testifying in special education hearing
​✔️Providing referrals to education attorneys as needed

​Keith supports school placement counseling by visiting dozens of programs every year to get firsthand information. As an education advisor, he learns about the benefits of each program and asks the questions that a prospective family may not always feel comfortable asking.

Keith has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from Boston University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. He also has previous career experience in management consulting, working for large international consulting firms.

Keith has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from Boston University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. He also has previous career experience in management consulting, working for large international consulting firms.

Keith has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from Boston University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. He also has previous career experience in management consulting, working for large international consulting firms.

* Meet our Team I April Pereya - Academic Manager *

April oversees the development and coordination of all our processes at MAIA, including tutor recruitment and training, as well as outreach to our clients and the professional community.

“At MAIA we get to know each of our students and families on a personal level so we can provide the best guidance and resources. We work hand in hand with you to make sure you are comfortable and happy with your next steps and action plan. Our families know they have a partner in MAIA." affirms April.

Her areas of expertise/specialties include:

​ ✔️Academic tutoring and remediation
✔️Independent and public school admissions
✔️Teacher training
✔️Application management
✔️Advisor on accommodations for standardized tests
✔️Orton-Gillingham trained

​Before joining MAIA, April was at Poly Preparatory Country Day School where she worked one-on-one with middle school students in the learning support department. In addition to supporting students across academic subjects, April also gained expertise in coordinating accommodation requests from ACT and the College Board. Prior to her role at Poly Prep, she completed her teacher training and worked for 13 years at the Rudolf Steiner School on the Upper East Side. She taught middle school English, history, and elementary school reading. She also served on the school’s leadership team as a senior administrator and board member.

As a proud step-parent to two young adults she helped raise in NYC, April is especially aware of the challenges and opportunities typical of each youngster’s developmental stage. At MAIA, April is committed to ensuring we fulfill our promise to provide the best educational services to our students and their families.

​A native of southwestern Connecticut, April earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English Literature from Lehigh University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Penn State’s Smeal School of Business.

What our clients have to say about MAIA Education Resource Center?

* Executive Function Coaching *
​
Executive Function (EF) is an umbrella term used to describe a person’s ability to plan, organize, and follow through on tasks in a timely manner. It is comprised of multiple mental processes that individuals need to live capably. While neuroscience research supports a developmental timeline of a few decades for executive function skills to fully develop, academic and scheduling demands often outpace an individual’s natural maturation process putting a child at risk for academic failure. In some cases, learning and/or attention deficits can also interfere with the development of EF skills.

These tasks include:

✔️Organization of their materials and physical study space
✔️Subject-specific study skills
✔️Time management for short- and long-term assignments
✔️Effective self-advocacy in student/teacher relationships

We can teach your child effective tools for time management and organization to help them manage school and social obligations.

​Our one-on-one sessions are designed to improve your child’s study and organizational skills for optimal academic performance and increased self-confidence. We also work with students who need to incorporate academic support as part of the executive function coaching.

​Check out the link in our bio to download a free guide:
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS GUIDE : Teaching the Essential Skills for Student Success

* Meet our Team I Keith Haber - Associate Director *

Keith has over a decade of experience in education and has worked at MAIA from the beginning.
​
According to him, "Navigating the educational system in NYC can be a complicated and daunting task. We are here to help demystify this process and help you get the best educational options for your child."

His areas of expertise/specialties include:

​✔️Helping families know what to ask for in IEP/IESP meetings
​✔️Advising on how to get approval for enhanced rate SETSS
​✔️Researching school placement options
​✔️Advising families on how to get support from the NYC Department of Education (DOE)
​✔️Testifying in special education hearing
​✔️Providing referrals to education attorneys as needed

​Keith supports school placement counseling by visiting dozens of programs every year to get firsthand information. As an education advisor, he learns about the benefits of each program and asks the questions that a prospective family may not always feel comfortable asking.

Keith has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from Boston University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business. He also has previous career experience in management consulting, working for large international consulting firms.