Austin

Welcome to my Bio! My name is Austin, and I am a Learning Specialist here at Illuminate Educational Therapy Group.

I was born and raised in the relatively small town of Atascadero located on the central coast of California. After graduating from Atascadero High School, I attended Cuesta Community College where I completed a minor in both Mathematics and Humanities and Liberal Arts, and then transferred to Long Beach State University where I completed my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics-Education. (Go Beach!!) It was during my college years that I began to explore private tutoring as an afterschool job, and I learned to love working with students in a one-to-one setting. During community college, I also volunteered at my church's youth group as a small group leader - I can't remember a time when I wasn't working with students! I developed a heart to serve them regardless of their learning, emotional, or intellectual profiles.

While I originally intended to be a teacher, I realized in my final year of college that I would rather work one-on-one with students, as I came to love the art of teaching in small groups or individually. Although I have worked as a teacher in two different schools, I have found that my passion truly resides in working with students individually. Starting my journey into the field of education, I worked at Fusion Academy as a Math and Science teacher. After six months, I transitioned to working as a private contractor, being sent to private and public schools as an academic interventionist and specialist. Since then, I have worked with six schools, several of them being Title 1 schools. During this time, I learned more about how each student's learning differences vary from the next, and how a careful and individualized approach is necessary for growth in each student. I also developed a heart for underprivileged students from different socioeconomic backgrounds as well.

My desire to work with students in a more relational and holistic way has led me to join Illuminate as a Learning Specialist, implementing edu-therapeutic techniques and strategies into my work with all of my students. 

I believe that I have a higher calling to work with students with learning disabilities, and I am passionate about serving them with excellence. I am also passionate about helping students learn how to excel in Math (including college-level classes) and Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Ocean Sciences), and I enjoy working with students who may not feel confident in their abilities due to their learning styles.  I have helped many students who struggled with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, dyscalculia, dysgraphia - and other learning profiles - overcome feeling "stuck" in their studies. I look forward to working with your family and supporting your learner!