Cheryl Keller
Academic & Executive Function Coach

From a very young age I knew I wanted to work with students. I am so grateful that I now have the opportunity to walk alongside students as they tap into their strengths, work on areas to be strengthened, and realize their goals!

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Along my journey I attended the University of Toronto and graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree, where I majored in Exceptionality in Human Learning, and minored in English and Sociology. After graduating from university I volunteered on the Board of Directors for the Learning Disability Association of North Peel for 5 years, where I served on the Special Education Advisory Committee for the Peel Board of Education, and tutored students.  For 10 years I was the owner of a successful tutoring business. During that time, I also completed a graduate certificate from Cambrian College as a Learning Disability Specialist.

 

In 2018 I began transitioning out of tutoring, and moved towards the Academic Coaching field.  I noticed a gap in our educational system in teaching students about time management, organization and study skills. I began taking courses to expand my knowledge of Executive Functions, and in teaching effective study skills to students. I completed a training program called Seeing My Time, created by Marydee Sklar which is currently being used world-wide to assist people with time management challenges. 

 

In 2019 I completed an Academic Coach training program called The Art of Inspiring Students to Study Strategically, created by Gretchen Wegner; along with the accompanying course called The Anti-Boring Approach to Powerful Studying. This training provided me with a strong foundation for Academic Coaching, as well as instruction on how to provide the most current scientifically proven strategies being used in learning today.

 

In August 2021 I completed an 8 month Self Regulation Foundations Program created by Dr. Stuart Shanker and Dr. Susan Hopkins at The MEHRIT Center. I am now recognized as a certified Self Reg Champion. Dr. Shanker is known as one of the top most influential professionals on self regulation in the world. These courses taught me the foundation and application of Dr. Shanker's Self Reg paradigm. This paradigm helps students develop self awareness and manage stress by recognizing, identifying, reducing and recovering from individual stressors.

 

In April 2023, I began participating in an 8 month professional training and consulting small group lead by Dr Sharon Saline, who is a well known Clinical Psychologist specializing in ADHD and Anxiety. It is important for me to continue to extend my knowledge and coaching skills around ADHD and the coexisting conditions that often occur with this diagnosis.

 

In July 2023, I completed an Executive Function Coach Certification Program to continue to stay current in my understanding of Executive Functions in my coaching business. As of March 2024, I have become a founding member of Seth Perler's Executive Function Lab. Seth Perler is an incredible resource and mentor for educators, coaches, therapists, parents and students. I have attended all of his Executive Function Summits, and I am so excited to be learning directly from Seth and his community!

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In May 2024 I began a training program with well-known ADHD expert Jeff Copper called Cognitive Ergonomics From The Inside Out. This program has been instrumental in deepening my understanding of ADHD from a cognitive perspective to support students in finding customized solutions in managing their daily lives. Understanding the ADHD brain at a cognitive level empowers students to discover the root cause of challenges, which leads to increased self awareness, confidence and the ability to find long lasting solutions.

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I am married with 2 daughters, who currently attend university. I am a parent of a neurodiverse teen with ADHD, and I have a yellow lab named Dakota!

 

I specialize in working with neurodiverse students, particularly with ADHD, to unlock their individual code in creating a school/life balance. I use a strength based approach to educate and build systems and accommodations that students can carry with them into adulthood. I also make it a priority to keep parents informed of the content of sessions, and I encourage their feedback so we can all work together to benefit the student.

 

My professional and sensitive approach, encourages students to take risks, as they grow and unlock their inner wisdom and brilliance!