Candace Sahm MA Ed
Candace Sahm is a coach, educator, and has firsthand experience with ADHD.
Candace holds a Master of Arts Degree in Special Vocational Education from George Washington University, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Maryland. She is also the Director of Positive Learning Experiences, a private coaching and tutoring company in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dynamic and innovative, Ms. Sahm is known for her innovation, advocacy, and coaching approach. Candace is a tireless champion for raising awareness about ADHD and its impact on peoples’ lives. In addition to coaching youth and adults, she has been involved with research on the benefits of IEPs and 504s. She also served on the Development Committee and the Presidential Committee for CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit. Candace leads support groups for girls and adults with ADHD. Candace has JST Coach Training and Independent Educational Consultants Association (ICEA) training. She is also trained to help those with other learning disabilities and executive functioning challenges. For the past fourteen years, she has been teaching for Montgomery County Public Schools with the Interim Instructional Services Program. She works with students and families to help them work with the curriculum to stay on top of their classes while they are not in school due to emotional and health needs. With this work, Candace also attends IEP/504 meetings and stays in close communication with school counselors, teachers, and parents.
Memberships and Associations
Candace is an active member of the ADHD treatment community. Her memberships include:
- ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO)
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactvity Disorders (CHADD)
- Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources (WISER)
- National Education Association (NEA)
- Maryland State Education Association (MSEA)
- Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA)
Advocacy
Ms. Sahm recently headlined a local DC radio show on the topic “ADHD in Children and Adults: Early Intervention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, and Where to Find Support.” She was joined by well-known psychologists Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Dr. Bill d'Alelio, Dr. Phil Pearl, Chief of General Neurology at Children's National Medical Center and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology GWU, and Dr. Jorge Rodriguez, Clinical Neuro-Psychologist also at Children's Hospital and in private practice. Her advocacy work raising awareness about the link between ADHD and addiction earned her a 2008 Unsung Hero Award from the CARON Foundation, a renowned national addiction recovery organization. She is currently making a CD featuring experts in the fields of ADHD and Addiction.
Education & Experience
Candace's Professional Resume
Career Profile: How a Mid-Life Diagnosis Helped Me Become an Entrepreneur
Hey, ADHD Parents: Shoot for Progress, Not Perfection
Our Tutors and Team
Ollen Douglass - Tutor
Ollen is from Potomac, Maryland and currently studies Math at Towson University. He has been tutoring for ten years and is proficient in math up to Calculus 3.
Here was one of Ollen's insights about working with a student: "Working with Zach was a very eye-opening experience for me. I saw someone who was very clearly smart, and talented, who just needed slight guidance in the right direction. In tutoring him, I realized how important it is for there to be different styles of tutoring, because like me, some people learn better in alternative ways. What I found most surprising was how I had to adapt my already different way of tutoring in order to provide the best service I could. I’m glad I was able to expand my skills, but more glad that I was able to help Zach succeed further in his studies."
In his free time he enjoys dancing, DJing and listening to music.
Kim Stinson - Tutor
Kim has a BA in Spanish Language and Literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She has studied in both Spain and Mexico and has been teaching Spanish for 14 years.
She likes to make the different language concepts as easy for her students as a possible to understand by breaking it down into smaller parts for them. She also color codes concepts to make it more visual for the students. So when working with Kim, it’s a good idea to have 3 different color pens or highlighters.
Kelsi Listman - Tutor
Kelsi received a B.S. in Mathematics and Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience from Bridgewater College. She has over 7 years of tutoring experience in mathematics, ranging from elementary to college-level courses. Her favorite math subject to tutor is precalculus with trigonometry.
Kelsi also has experience conducting psychological research, so she is knowledgeable about scientific research methods and logic.
In her free time, you might find her reading novels, baking tasty treats, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
David Walters - Tutor
David graduated magna cum laude from Dickinson College in 1999 with a BA in psychology. He has 20 years of experience with one-on-one tutoring at Sylan Learning Centers, Mathnasium, and Trust Tutors, and has also worked as an instructional assistant with Montgomery County Public Schools.
David’s areas of instructional focus are math, science, reading, and test prep.
Emmanual Reounodji, DBD, MBA & MS - Tutor
Emmanuel is a graduate from Northcentral University, University of Phoenix, and University of Houphouet BOIGNI (Ivory Coast). He holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration and two Master’s degree in Business Accounting and Finance. Dr. Reounodji has worked in the education over 20 years both in the United States of America as well as in Africa, teaching secondary and college students.
He is currently a member of Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and the National Society Leadership of Success (NSLS). In addition to teaching, Dr. Reounodji was a Program Project Manager in Meguet (Shorgo-BF), and Financial Planner at the department of Finance Planning and Cooperation (BF).
Dr. Reounodji is currently a full-time employee with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland as a Business and Mathematics Teacher.
Dr. Reounodji is married and father of five grown up children living in Maryland, Texas, and Washington State.
In his spare time, Dr. Reounodji participates in the social activities, and enjoys reading, exercising and staying in touch with his kids.
Amanda Latona - Tutor
Amanda Latona is an educator with over ten years of experience that resides on Long Island, New York with her husband and 5 beautiful children. She holds a Masters degree in general and special education from St. John’s University and is a New York State certified general educator.
Amanda has continually developed professionally, enhancing instructional practices within and beyond the classroom by serving as a substitute teacher for the past ten years while also raising her children.
When Amanda is not in the classroom, her other passions and interests include traveling, enjoying time with her family, volunteering at school events, spending time at the beach, exploring anything Disney, listening to country music and reading a good book!
Amanda is thrilled to be a part of this foundation and looks forward to assisting and supporting new students.
Vasisht Ishwar
Vasisht is a Pre-Med student studying Neuroscience and Economics at the University of Maryland and is very passionate about supporting youth with ADHD.
Vasisht has been tutoring students with the CSahm Foundation since 2022 as an Academic Tutor for students in math, biology, chemistry, reading comprehension, and writing. He has helped students become more proficient in their arithmetic skills and assisted with ensuring students are able to turn in their assignments on time. He is motivated to ensure that all students, regardless of their privileges, have the same opportunities to shine.
Rachel Tate
Since 2010, Rachel Tate has taught students with special needs, first as an inclusion special education teacher in Prince George’s County public schools and as a Secondary Program Specialist and Resource Teacher for Montgomery County public schools.
Tate has also served as a Special Olympics coach and as a mentor for identified at-risk youth. She considers her most significant professional accomplishments to be teaching a medically fragile student how to walk and helping nonverbal students gain their voices through sign language. Through her work, she hopes to encourage the community at large to accept and engage disabled students so that they, too, feel included in daily life.
Rachel has served on instructional leadership teams at Duckworth Regional School and Albert Einstein High School. She holds a master’s degree in special education from Western Governors University and a post-graduate certificate from McDaniel College. She lives at home with her husband, children, and dog!
Greg Kahn
Greg is from Potomac, Maryland, and is currently studying Aerospace Engineering at The University of Maryland. He has tutored a variety of students since his high school years in an array of subjects. He is proficient in math up to Calculus 2, Physics 1-3, and language/writing.
Diagnosed with ADHD at an early age, he pushed himself to find strategies to manage the disorder as he navigated the public school system. It is his hope that he can share these strategies with other kids so that they may succeed in their educational goals. Greg believes the best part about tutoring is building a connection with his tutees.
Outside of class he enjoys working out, watching sports, listening to subgenres of rock, and playing video games.
Amy Lee
Claire White
Kristopher Nabors
With over a decade of experience in the human services field, Kristopher Nabors is dedicated to the human service field and passionate about helping individuals achieve their personal and professional goals. Leveraging a strong foundation in social services and community development, Kristopher has a proven track record of supporting diverse populations in navigating career pathways and securing sustainable employment.
Holding degrees from Montgomery College & Bowie State University, he integrates a holistic approach to career readiness. Whether through personalized coaching, developing workforce programs, or community partnerships. Kristopher is committed to assisting others overcome barriers, build skills, and access opportunities that lead to long-term success.
In his free time Kristopher has a hobby of collecting sports memorabilia, going to Cup car or F1 races, and enjoys traveling to new places.
Alex Cacioppo
Alex is a writer, researcher, and environmental activist who is passionate about history, philosophy, and language. With a background in political science and journalism, he is well-versed to help students with their writing process needed for schoolwork in English, history, and geography. With his qualitative mind and sharp eye for good diction and syntax, he can support your child’s academic development in these areas.
He went to the McLean School in Potomac, the College of Wooster in Ohio, and currently lives in Oakland, California.
In his spare time, he listens to music, goes hiking, writes in his journal, and loves to keep up with current events.
Ariana Sorto
Born in San Salvador, El Salvador and raised in the Washington Metropolitan area - I am a native Spanish speaker and one of my passions is teaching others about my language and culture!
I attended Towson University and have a degree in Psychology, which sparked my interest in working with different communities including best buddies and other local organizations.
In my free time, I love to dance, travel and spend time with my family and tiny dog, OSITA (Spanish for little bear!)
Paola Sorto Quijano
Paola holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an A.A. in Life Science from Howard Community College. During her time at UMD, she mentored adult ESOL cohorts and helped them overcome functional English language challenges through the Maryland Mentor Corps Family Literacy Program. She was also a teaching assistant for the microbiology department. She is passionate about biomedical research and STEAM education. She also loves fostering connections with others and getting them excited about STEAM!
When she's not in the lab or being a proud science terp, she loves going to concerts, trying new restaurants in the DMV, and traveling!