Firelight Education

Community Subscriber
Berkeley
Owner:
Laura Turnbull
Email:
laura [at] firelighteducation.com

I’m an independent academic coach, teacher, tutor, and consultant with loads of experience teaching high school and middle school students with many different learning profiles, ADHD, anxiety, and even a deep dislike for the learning process. I also raised a kid with learning differences and anxiety, so I understand as a parent the challenges of students who struggle to fit the prescribed pathways of traditional schooling. I can help with reading and writing, homework, organization and executive functioning, college essays, and more. I have limited in-person availability in the East San Francisco Bay Area (Berkeley, Oakland, Lamorinda, and surrounding) and I’m also available on Zoom to students anywhere in the U.S.

Parent Reviews

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Hi, please consider reaching out to Laura Turnbull at Firelight Education.  She is a wonderful mentor/coach for ADHD students.  She worked with my son to help strengthen executive function -- things like calendaring, organizing notes and assignments and follow through on homework and creating long range planning for large projects. Laura understood my son's struggles and was able to connect with him, establish rapport and encourage him along the way.  She is great about keeping parents updated and supported during what sometimes feels like an insurmountable challenge.  My best to you and your son!

Laura is a really lovely and approachable educator who works well with my reluctant teenage son, who needs help with writing but would rather not accept that help ;) Laura finds ways to connect with him through humor and good conversation to draw him into the work and make it positive and encouraging. She has a lot of experience working with bright kids who learn differently and/or are challenged with executive function issues. She also communicates well with parents and is a wealth of information about academic paths and resources. Highly recommend her, especially for teens and young adults.

Laura worked with my son as a teacher and coach during high school and also as a coach and mentor during his freshman year at college.

Laura is supportive, understanding and truly cares about her students and their families.  She’s able to create positive relationships with kids who think or learn differently and she truly appreciates and values the uniqueness of each student’s personality, interests and abilities.  

Over the many years that we worked with Laura, I marveled at her patience and calm demeanor as she helped my son with his academic and executive functioning challenges.  Sometimes difficult  situations with my very ADHD son would leave me frustrated and anxious — Laura tackled these issues in coaching sessions with my son and many times would help me gain new perspective and understanding which ultimately helped me grow as a parent and helped strengthen my relationship with my son.

Laura provided excellent academic tutoring, as well but I’m especially grateful to her for the insightful, thoughtful and accepting way she coached, mentored and cheered on my son. She still reaches out to see how he is doing and it’s wonderful to celebrate his successes with her.  She genuinely cares.   

if you are looking for someone to tutor or coach your child or young adult, I highly recommend, Laura. She will go out of her way to connect with and “get” your kid. And, you’ll end up learning a lot, too!