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 Biography
Carolyn McWilliams, M.A. - 310.663.0643
Carolyn began her educational career in Santa Barbara, California, where she received her B.A. and M.A. and became a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Administration with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction. She served as a supervisor of student teachers and taught courses across the educational curriculum during her eight years at UCSB. After completing her studies, Carolyn moved to Los Angeles where she served as the head of Adat Ari El Day School in Valley Village and as a consultant on issues of learning and instruction to Jewish day schools across the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Spectrum, as well as to elementary and secondary schools of all types. During this time she also served on the faculty of California State University at Northridge. The parent of three highly gifted daughters of her own (one with learning challenges), throughout her career, Carolyn has designed innovative strategies, as well as unique programs to help gifted students achieve life success. She established the Johns Hopkins Center for Academically Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Commuter Program held at the University of California Los Angeles and served as parent liaison for the CTY to the press and larger community. She was the founder and head of Bridges Academy, which serves a population of twice-exceptional students in grades 6-12, from 1994-2003 (www.bridges.edu). Carolyn has been a classroom teacher in both Goleta Union and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. She was LAUSD Teacher of the Year, was one of five finalists for California Teacher of the Year, and was given an Outstanding Educator Award by the Los Angeles Times. She has published curriculum and articles in the areas of special education, social studies, English, educational computing, ESL, multi-cultural education, study skills, and classroom organization. She regularly presents at conferences and schools on topics related to curriculum, instruction, classroom organization, gifted students, and special needs populations.
Molly grew up in schools. Even before she started tutoring, she spent her summers hanging out in the school offices of one school head parent or the other, copying teacher packets, making up school calendars, assisting teachers, just doing whatever needed to be done. It was a tough call when she graduated from Brandeis University Magna Cum Laude with degrees in American Studies and Anthropology and a minor in Women’s Studies. She knew she wanted to work in education, but wasn’t quite sure in what role. When she moved back to Los Angeles, she immediately began work in the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) office, eventually supporting schools k-12 throughout California in the accreditation process as Director of Member Services. Throughout her tenure at CAIS, she continued to work with students outside of her “day job.” She worked with students just beginning in formal school environments and also volunteers with students whose parents cannot help them in applying to colleges. Wanting more daily contact with students, she moved from the CAIS office onto a school site, serving as the Director of Communications at A. J. Heschel Day School where her job consisted of not only the full range of administrative tasks inherent in the management of technology, but also serving as the liaison from the administration to all parent groups. When she found she enjoyed working with parents as much as she did with students, educational therapy seemed to be an increasingly perfect fit. She took up her mother’s offer to serve as the “go to” person on educational technology in her office and began to work formally with families herself. Molly describes her work life as “…beyond my wildest dreams. All of the work I have done thus far supports my efforts in educational therapy and I relish the ongoing professional training and mentoring necessary to support both my genes and instincts.” Her client parents have raved about Molly’s work with their children. Her excellent communication with parents and teachers, her deep understanding of schools, and her love for students has allowed her to build a student success team for students who have finally found just the right person to help them succeed. |
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Carolyn is currently an educational therapist and educational consultant helping students, parents, and schools meet the challenges of gifted students with learning challenges through her offices in Santa Monica, California. Carolyn also does general consulting with schools on topics from curriculum development to teaching study skills to interpretation of student test scores.
Molly does not remember a time when she was not working with students. Her first paid tutoring job was just before she turned thirteen. She tutored a fifth grader in math and later expanded to tutoring a variety of subjects while still in high school at the Oakwood School in North Hollywood. Keeping her younger ADHD sibling organized was a special interest from the very first time they began sharing a toy box.