Learning Specialist
We specialize in providing secondary students with exceptional and individualized instruction in math, reading, writing, executive function, and positive character building.
Academic Tutoring Overview
Our Tutoring Philosophy
I am excited about designing an individualized, integrative, and enriched academic plan for your student. My role as a Learning Specialist will be to continually consult, assess, streamline learning needs, personally design curricula, and implement efficient science-based learning instruction. My program is customized to meet each student’s individualized emotional growth and academic needs. While every student’s educational plan will be personalized, here are the backbone components that help students succeed in my program:
In addition to my program, students should have a school placement. This could be a charter school, part-time private school, or part-time public school for additional support, recommendations, and resources. It is important to work as an educational team when supporting students. I will consult with families on the many options for various school placements.
Once students are enrolled in their school placements, I will consult on their school curricula options and make recommendations based on their learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. As a Learning Specialist, my primary role will be to provide efficient strategies to help students access their best learning while utilizing and supplementing their chosen curricula. Given the program’s small class size and my approach to teaching, I am able to analyze progress rate and further learning needs every session. This diagnostic approach allows us to make efficient and ongoing changes to your child’s learning plan.
In addition to assisting students with accessing their best learning when completing their school curricula, I will also be designing customized lessons to help bridge further academic needs. Throughout lessons, I will help students discover their individualized learning accommodations needed to perform academic tasks at their best level.
My program goes beyond academic achievement and puts importance on students’ growth in the areas of building critical character traits to foster their success in various academic environments. This includes assisting them with building powerful learning tools, guiding their social development, and working on effective study habits. When students get the opportunity to work on the challenges that get in the way of their learning, their progress with academic growth soars.
This program is designed to give students the opportunity to receive optimal learning at an intensive level. To capitalize on their progress outside of tutorials, I will be delivering homework recommendations. It is important that parents and educators work as a team so that students can make the progress we all want to see.
What is a Learning Specialist?
A learning specialist goes beyond being simply a tutor in that we assess and teach individualized learning strategies to help students be more efficient at studying, memory, focus and more.
As learning specialists, we go beyond being a subject expert and homework helper. We try to get to the bottom of why students are struggling in the classroom and provide them with tools and strategies to help them overcome those challenges.
We go beyond academics and work hard to improve our student’s confidence, helping them better self-advocate for their learning needs and excel in any learning environment. To put it another way, we help students “learn” how to learn.
Educational Tutoring Specialties
We specialize in educational tutoring in these subjects
We provide secondary students with exceptional and individualized instruction in math, reading, writing, executive function, and positive character building; producing meaningful connections and incredible learning outcomes, motivating students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Reading Tutor
Develop reading skills regardless of reading level
Writing Tutor
Develop writing skills from grammar and word work to sentences paragraphs and essays
Math Tutor
We prepare students for their next grade while also filling in academic gaps
Executive Function
Organization, planning, time-management and more
Meet Our Team
Our incredible team is highly trained to provide exceptional and individualized instruction to meet each learner’s unique learning style.
Shelly South, M.Ed.
Secondary Learning and Education Specialist and owner of Beyond Academics
Shelly South is a Bend, Oregon based educational specialist who has worked with kids for 20 years. She brings experience in providing specialized instruction in the area of science based reading instruction and meaningful learning. She believes that building positive connections with students is the key to helping them learn.
Holly Dierdorff, M.A.
Holly is a current high school Spanish teacher with over 20 years of experience working with middle and high school students. She enjoys working with secondary students to improve their academic skill set, helping them have a more successful and enjoyable middle and high school experience. We are so lucky to have her on board!
Heather Ashley, M.Ed.
Learning Specialist and Director of Beyond Academics
Heather Ashley is an accomplished Learning & Child Development Specialist. She has 20 years of experience working with children and their families. Heather has extensive experience and knowledge in the area of science-based reading, writing, and math instruction. Heather is dedicated, intuitive, and passionate about helping students understand their individual learning styles.