Raising and educating children during this period of history is one of the most challenging and important tasks we face. Never before has a generation of children faced so many unique challenges: a global pandemic, climate change, and polarizing politics set against the backdrop of a digital world. When Alison left the classroom to start Building Savvy Learners, these concerns weighed most heavily on her mind as the mom to two young girls.
Founder & CEO of Building Savvy Learners
Lead Executive Function Coach
Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Policy, University of Georgia
M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, Michigan State University
B.A.s in Elementary Education & English, Michigan State University
Alison was an award-winning classroom teacher for over 15 years before becoming an executive function coach. Featured twice by the Georgia Department of Education as an expert on writing instruction and digital literacy for teacher professional learning initiatives, she presents at schools and conferences on topics related to technology integration, executive function, and subject-specific strategies for differentiation.
Alison believes in putting students first and developing solutions tailored toward their strengths and interests. She’s developed many strategies to navigate the necessary evils that often come with school, such as testing and grading policies. She recognizes that schools, teachers, and parents are all doing their best to support young people, often with significant constraints on their time and available resources. That’s why much of Alison’s work focuses on bridging those relationships through student-centered, easy-to-implement strategies that can maximize student success.
While co-teaching Decatur’s model assistive technology classroom, Alison recognized that an emphasis on developing executive function skills benefitted ALL students. She founded Building Savvy Learners as a way to bring more awareness and support to the ever-evolving skills needed to thrive in the school environment and beyond.
As an executive function coach, Alison brings expertise in several topics, including:
Alison lives in Decatur, GA, with her husband, two daughters (ages 14 and 10), and dogs. She loves racing through jigsaw puzzles, playing board games with family and friends, and curling up with piles of nonfiction and a bottomless cup of coffee.
Executive Function Coach
M.S. in Math & Science Education, Brenau University
B.A. in Middle Grades Education, Clayton State University
Maria served as an 8th grade science teacher and tutor (science, math, and ELA) for 15 years, and leaving the profession was a bittersweet decision. The classroom had been her second home, where she nurtured young minds, witnessed tremendous growth, and forged lifelong connections with teens during their awkward middle school years. After a two-year stint in the corporate world of curriculum development, however, Maria recognized how much she missed working with students and having the sense of purpose that comes with being an educator.
Maria’s desire to support individuals in a new capacity outside a classroom setting and the autonomy of coaching propelled her to join the BSL team. She loves developing personalized strategies to inspire young individuals to thrive and is energized by the prospect of empowering them to unlock their potential in fresh and meaningful ways.
As an executive function coach, Maria’s expertise includes:
Maria lives in Avondale Estates with her wife and three children. She and her family love the area and spend a lot of time in Decatur and Avondale, visiting libraries and parks and enjoying the vibrant restaurant scenes both cities offer. She is a first-generation American whose parents were from Greece and Switzerland. She loves to play softball and kickball, read, and travel.
Executive Function Coach
Ed.S. in Curriculum & Instruction Management and Administration, Nova Southeastern University
M.A.T.L. in Reading Education, Nova Southeastern University
B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, University of Georgia
Andrea began her teaching and coaching career over 25 years ago and has developed her skills by working with a wide range of learners from Kindergarten through college across multiple subjects. Andrea has supported students in the general education, special education, and gifted education settings and has also provided tutoring and coaching for clients with academic and behavioral needs. She was an adjunct professor at the University of North Georgia, where she provided instruction and mentoring for future educators in the UNG Elementary and Special Education departments during their practicum and internship experiences.
Andrea’s most recent position was as an elementary special education caseworker and teacher. She provided instruction for students who required specific support through EIP, IEP, and 504 plans. She assisted parents, teachers, and students during the development of these plans to ensure her students received the appropriate services, objectives, and supports to achieve their academic and behavioral goals. Andrea also enjoys tutoring students in math, both in middle and upper grades, outside of the school setting.
Throughout her teaching and coaching journey, Andrea has received numerous awards for her educational practice. These include: Teacher of the Year Award, Office Max’s Excellence in Education Award, Senator Nunnally/Alpha Phi Alpha Outstanding Educator Award, and a nomination for the Kathryn Hug Foundations of Excellence Award. She remains committed to the passion and vision that all students can and will succeed.
As an executive function coach, Andrea’s expertise includes:
Andrea lives with her daughter, Tricia (13), two dogs, a cat, and a chameleon. She loves the outdoors, comedy shows, live music, and watching and playing soccer.
Executive Function Coach
M.A. in Education, Goddard College
B.A. in Journalism with a minor in Spanish, University of Georgia
Learn more about executive function coaching through our FAQ section. Then, when you’re ready, schedule a free, no-obligation discovery Zoom call with one of our coaches to learn about our executive function coaching services and find out if it might be a good fit for your child.