JRS Educational Therapy

7/9/2024

Since early spring 2024, Julie Stoner has worked with our soon-to-be 8th grader, and the results have been remarkable. Our daughter's journey has taken her from frustration, disorganization, and disengagement to responsibility, hard work, and success in a very short period.

Diagnosed with ADHD in the summer of 2020 during 5th grade, Ella initially managed her schoolwork with minimal interventions and earned good grades. However, upon entering middle school, the demands of organization and workload increased significantly. Ella began falling behind, turning in incomplete work, and displaying signs of frustration and combativeness with teachers. Despite accommodations, a supportive Learning Specialist, and ADHD medication, our daughter needed additional help.

Enter Julie Stoner. Her secret sauce lies in her ability to connect with Ella on a personal level, delving into her personality, school relationships, and organizational challenges. Julie equipped Ella with tools to work more efficiently and effectively. She also maintained open communication with teachers to ensure they were aligned in supporting Ella's growth. For us, Julie’s consistent and comprehensive updates allowed us to be active participants in Ella’s progress.

Julie served as a valuable ally, not only improving Ella’s performance but also instilling confidence in managing her academic journey. Ella eagerly anticipates her time with Julie, and we are forever grateful for the breakthroughs she has facilitated. We wholeheartedly recommend Julie Stoner to others seeking transformative educational support.

Sincerely, Sarah and Greg

11/22/2023

I am thrilled to share my experience and provide an enthusiastic recommendation for Julie Stoner, M.Ed., who has been an instrumental educational therapist for my son for the last 3 years. Julie's unwavering dedication, expertise, and compassionate approach have significantly impacted Gideon's journey, addressing challenges related to ADHD, dysgraphia, self-advocacy, self-esteem, and executive functioning.

From the beginning, Julie demonstrated an exceptional commitment to understanding Gideon's unique needs. Her personalized approach has not only led to significant academic progress but has also played a vital role in fostering Gideon's self-confidence and overall well-being.

One of Julie's standout qualities is her focus on developing self-advocacy skills and enhancing executive functioning. Gideon has not only experienced academic growth but has also gained practical life skills that extend beyond the classroom. Julie's holistic approach has been key to Gideon's personal and academic growth.

What sets Julie apart is her consistent communication and collaboration. As parents, we appreciate her insights, feedback, and the collaborative discussions that have created a sense of trust and partnership. Julie's professionalism, compassion, and commitment to providing a positive and comprehensive learning experience make her an invaluable resource for families navigating similar challenges.

I wholeheartedly recommend Julie Stoner to any parent seeking a dedicated and effective educational therapist. Her unwavering support and role as a driving force in Gideon's educational success, coupled with her attendance at school meetings and advocacy with learning specialists, have been transformative. We are sincerely grateful for the positive strides he continues to make under her care.

Happy Thanksgiving, Alexandra Erman

1/06/2021

I had the pleasure of meeting Julie five years ago when my children began taking classes through Sparks Ignite Academy. We were a homeschooling family looking for supplemental educational classes and social interactions for my children but what we gained by attending those classes was so much more than I could have ever imagined.

At the time my children were 4, 5 and 10-years-old. My children have a variety of obstacles, ADHD, sensory processing disorder and anxiety, which I was just beginning to see affect their learning. I was struggling with meeting their emotional and educational needs. With Julie as a guide, I was able to gain a better understanding of my own children which has helped my family thrive ever since.

Julie has truly been the biggest influence in my children’s educational lives, helping myself, my husband and my children become better teachers and learners. Over time, our relationship evolved from teacher to mentor to friend. My trust in Julie as an educator grew when I discovered that my youngest was struggling with reading. I looked to her as a resource to help guide me in his learning process. Julie assessed his needs and helped me identify issues that I didn’t even know existed. She began tutoring my son in reading, and provided me with ample educational resources that have allowed us a better understanding of his learning style. He is always excited to attend tutoring sessions with Julie, which are not just straightforward teaching. She takes the time to build a rapport with each child, understand where they are coming from each day, and make the child feel safe and comfortable. She meets their emotional needs before even beginning to attempt instruction. And it works! My son is reading, and better yet, he is enjoying reading.

When I began facilitating with Julie through Sparks Ignite Academy, I got to see firsthand how this amazing educator was able to reach so many different children and create a real sense of community within this micro-school. I have watched her time and time again create a safe space for children with varying needs, creating learning sparks within even the toughest of exteriors. Julie has a unique way of identifying a child’s needs, assessing what needs are not being met and figuring out a way to meet the child exactly where they are. I have watched her deescalate tense situations and facilitate communication between children on many occasions. And most importantly, she gets through to them. The children are not pressured into learning, instead they want to learn.

My trust in Julie has never faltered. She is a safe space for so many children. She is a safe space for my children. And I am so very thankful she is in our lives.

Regards, Callie Cale