Candace Sahm, MA Ed.
Tutoring/Consultant Experience
LEARNING SPECIALIST
NorthStar Academy. Rockville, Maryland | March 2018–Present
- Worked with the Education Coordinator on programs for the clients
- Performed in-take interviews with families worked with a team of coach mentors
- Maintained contact with families, teachers and counselors regarding client progress
- Attended IEP/504 meetings when necessary
- Worked with APEX programs
- Administered an assessment for learning styles
- Taught various techniques to individual clients to enhance their specific learning style
- Provided study strategies to clients
- Coordinated and implemented the summer program
- Helped clients prepare for tests; coordinated tutoring schedules for those who needed support
- Matched tutors with specific clients
- Wrote up weekly reports for individual clients
- Spoke with therapists about specific clients about their needs in the classroom
- Taught time management strategies and techniques for learning
- Helped coach mentors with classroom management.
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR, PRIVATE TUTOR
Positive Learning Experiences LLC. Cabin John, Maryland | 1990 to present
- Private tutor for students from Holton Arms School, The Lab School of Washington, Langley High School, The Norwood School, The Bullis School, Montgomery College and the University of Maryland
- Interim Instructional Services for Montgomery County Public Schools grades 3 through 12;
- Tutor in all subject areas, 1:1 and in small groups: organization and academic coach, special emphasis on motivation, time management, creative lesson planning and study skills
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, medical professionals, students and parents to support students diagnosed with ADHD, LD, or GT
- Differentiate lessons to meet special needs, developmental levels and learning styles; supervise work-study students from Walt Whitman High School
- Sponsored and developed an independent science research project for a student at Walt Whitman High School on the IEP/504 process which was presented at the CHADD International Conference
- Published a bi-monthly newsletter: Tutor on Site, News from Positive Learning Experiences, LLC, electronically to over 500 families and professionals, presently an e-newsletter to over 1,200 people
- Developed the Student Accommodation Empowerment Form, which helps ensure that students get the maximum benefit from their IEP/504 accommodations.
PRIVATE COACH
ADHD Coaching for LIFE, LLC. Cabin John, Maryland | 1990 – present
- Support youth clients as they take an inventory of their strengths and challenges
- Collaborate with clients to find strategies and tools that will work based on their personality, responsibilities and goals
- Meet with clients weekly, with daily check-ins, to implement the devised strategies and tools
- Participate in IEP/504 meetings at the client’s request
- Prepare students to be their own advocate in obtaining their accommodations
- Lead an ADHD support group for girls and adults
- Lead workshops and trainings for educators, parents, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors on ADHD coaching and utilizing the Student Accommodation Empowerment Form.
INTERIM INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES
Montgomery County Public Schools. Rockville, Maryland | 2007 – present
- Regular and Special Education Teacher
- Prepare lesson plans and modify plans for all school ages
- Review IEP/504 plans for instruction; communicate with parents, teachers and other school staff effectively.
Workshop presentation and Training Experience
- Geneva School (Pre-K to K) – Life Benefits of ADHD Coaching for parents and faculty, November 2014
- Bethesda Library – Life Benefits of ADHD Coaching for the community, October 2012
- Geneva School (Pre-K to K) – Life Benefits of ADHD Coaching for parents and faculty, November 2010
- Weinfeld Education Group – Diamonds in the Rough: Smart Kids Who Learn Differently, March 2010
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) – Coaching Success with LD/ADHD, February 2010
- MCPS, Walter Johnson High School – ADHD Coaching for Parents, April 2009
- Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources (WISER) – ADHD Coaching, March 2009
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) International Conference: Overcoming Obstacles in the IEP & 504 Processes, developed and presented Student Accommodation Empowerment Form, November 2008
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) – Everyday Living Skills, April 1980.
Additional Teaching Experience
- Teacher: Study Skills, Cooking; The Norwood School – Summer 2004 and Summer 2005
- Teacher: Study Skills program, The Bullis School of Potomac – Summer 2002
- Private Teacher: Home and Hospital Teaching for MCPS – 2003-2007; 2010 to present
- Substitute Teacher: McLean School, Potomac Maryland – 2000-2002
- Substitute Teacher: MCPS – 2000-2002; 2008 to present
- All-Curriculum Tutor: The Lab School of Washington, The Norwood School, The McLean School, The Bullis School, The Newport School – 1994-2006
- Special Education Teacher: Frederick Douglass Senior High School, Upper Marlboro, Maryland – 1978-1980
- Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Track & Field Team, Frederick Douglass Senior High School, Upper Marlboro, Maryland – 1978-1980
Volunteer Experience
- Parent Association Coordinator, The McLean School: participated in planning curriculums, fundraising events, and social functions; organized monthly meetings with parents, administrators, and teachers for students in lower and middle schools – 1993-1994
- Mentor for Program Alumni, Caron Foundation – 2003-2009
- Volunteer and Sponsor, Frank R. Williams Scholarship Fund Two-Mile Fun Walk, Washington, DC: Worked as a volunteer and as a sponsor for the fun walk at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington DC – 2009-present
- Sponsor, Charcot Lecture, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Washington DC: Served as a sponsor for this lecture – 2008-present
- Volunteer and Sponsor, The MusicianShip Foundation, Washington DC: served as a volunteer at various events and as a sponsor for this organization that changes children’s lives through music – 2009-present
- Multiple Sclerosis 3-Day Challenge Walk: 2003: One of the top fundraisers in the county; 2004: Top Fundraising Team; 2005: Third Place in Team Fundraising
- Co-Chair, Hecht Company Multiple Sclerosis Charity Fashion Show: Helped raise over $100,000 – 1991-1992
- Volunteer Recruiter, The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Washington DC: Managed the recruitment of volunteers, training, publicity, and mailings – 1989-1992
- Volunteer Recruiter and Organizer, Bike-A-Thon Wilmington, DE: Helped to raise over $10,000 – 1987-1989
- Chair of Fundraising, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Memphis, TN: Served on Executive Board, effecting policy decisions on finances, volunteers, and client services; managed medical campaign, handled all aspects of program coordination and major fundraising events – 1981-1987
- Seminar Coordinator, Intern – National Advocacy Organization, American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, Washington DC: Coordinated seminars for the Council of Exceptional Children Convention; gained extensive experience with program development for special needs, including the physically challenged and mentally challenged – 1980-1987
Education
- JST Coaching, LLC – Coaching Teens and College Students with ADHD – January 2008 to present
- LDA Continued Learning Certificate
- Relias Training Certified
- The George Washington University School of Education, Washington DC: Master of Arts, Education/Human Development and Vocational/Special Education (GPA 3.95) – May 1981
- University of Maryland College of Education, College Park, Maryland: Bachelors of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education (GPA 3.30) – May 1978
- GWU Course – Evaluating Test Data: teaches skills to effectively assess and identify special needs students and to design and integrate Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans
- Earned over 130 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) by attending numerous conferences and workshops conducted by Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (CHADD), The Lab School of Washington with NIMH, the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Individual Educational Consultant Association (IECA)
Publications
- Writer for “Coach’s Corner” in the September/October 2018 issue of ADDitude Magazine
- Co-authored Wacky Ways to Succeed with ADHD published in Fall of 2015
- Revising the Interim Instructional Services Handbook for MCPS
Honors/Awards
- Caron Foundation Unsung Hero Award 2010