How is this different than tutoring?

This a question we hear constantly and it is worth clarifying how we differ from traditional tutoring services. Tutors typically have a primary focus on a particular content area or some type of test preparation. Our objectives are to give students strategies to help them manage their time, stress, and outside distractions and then we combine that with learning strategies effective in any context, but particularly long-term academic projects. We have primarily worked in AP® Seminar and AP® Research at a highly competitive high school in Bergen County, NJ for the last decade, but we have also advised college-level students pursuing original research. We have experience with helping students obtain Institutional Review Board approval to work with human subjects, presentation practice and preparation, and developing academic writing skills in a particular discipline.

How is this different from other academic coaching?

Most academic coaching models that we’ve come across seem to be highly aligned to what we try to accomplish with Education Motivation. We aim to develop students habits to manage their time, recognize and address procrastinating habits, and use the latest research-driven learning strategies. Where we differ is we ground all of these conversations drawing from the techniques found in the psychological practices of acceptance and commitment therapy and motivational interviewing and then target them to long-term academic projects.

So are you psychologists?

No, we are definitely NOT psychologists. We are teachers. That being said, we highly respect and admire the work being done in the fields of acceptance and commitment therapy and motivational interviewing and created a framework where they are applied toward academic research. We’ve used these strategies for the last nine years in our classrooms and have seen them help our students grow tremendously. During the pandemic, it was our most effective way to keep students engaged despite the limitations of remote learning.

Can we meet remotely?

We definitely can! We use Google Meet for remote sessions. We are based out of New Jersey, so when we agree upon meeting times, they will be Eastern Standard Time.

Can we meet in-person?

We definitely can do that as well! We are located in Bergen County, NJ and if you are interested we can discuss meeting logistics.

What if my question isn’t answered here?

Please go to our contact page and feel free to reach out!