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Mission Statement Objectives

 

The mission of PathFinder Coaching and Tutoring is to empower individual students and adults to find the path to a more purposeful and fulfilling life.  In a trusting, judgment-free environment, our primary objectives are to:

 

  • prepare students to achieve their academic potential, instilling self-confidence and helping them acquire life skills to succeed beyond the classroom;

 

  • work collaboratively with students and adults to develop a sense of self-awareness, recognize strengths, and bring about positive change through self-defined goals;

 

  • establish a partnership with youth and adults diagnosed with ADHD to address symptoms that are preventing achievement of specific goals, e.g., time management, planning and prioritizing, organization, and life balance; and

 

  • advocate for students to ensure each and every one has equal access to education.

In order to meet these objectives, PathFinder Coaching & Tutoring offers a diverse menu of related services.  Coaching in a safe, non-judgmental space provides the perfect opportunity for children, youth, adults, or a family unit to set goals, identify actions to meet the goals, and create a system of accountability.  

 

Just as the "who" may be different in a coach-client relationship, so is the "what":  the goals may be academic, personal, or professional. Additionally, because so many of our clients are students or parents, we are happy to meet their other needs in the areas of subject-specific tutoring and student advocacy.

 

A special note:  since "coaching" is a relatively new profession, below you will find some clarification on what coaching is and what it is not (with additional information available on the "Coaching" page of this site).  Also, because many of our clients are students struggling in school or adults having difficulty planning and staying organized at home or at work, we are including information about "executive function" and its impact on day-to-day life.

WHAT
IS
"COACHING?"

Coaching is defined by the International Coach Federation as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes and managing personal change. Coaching is not therapy, counselling, consulting, or mentoring.  The key to successful coaching is a trusting, collaborative relationship between coach and client. Our specific coaching services are described here.

                              

 

COACHING
VS.
THERAPY

Coaching is often compared to therapy:  therapy deals with healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or in relationships. The focus is often on resolving difficulties arising from the past that hamper an individual's emotional functioning in the present, improving overall psychological functioning, and dealing with the present in more emotionally healthy ways.

 

 

Executive Functioning Skills
 are not just for executives!

What is "executive function"?

 

Simply put, "executive function" (EF) is a set of mental processes that helps connect past experience with present action. This set of skills is controlled by the frontal lobe of the brain, just behind the forehead. Anyone with an ADHD diagnosis struggles with EF; however, many without are also challenged.  Executive functions work together to help achieve goals and, if they break down, can have a negative impact on "getting things done":

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The good news:  weak EF skills can be managed by developing strategies to improve organization, time management, study skills, etc.  Working collaboratively with a coach, clients (student or adult) learn strategies to overcome executive dysfunctions.  With practice and by establishing solid routines, academic, personal, and professional success can all be achieved.

 

Great Resource: Executive Function 101 e-book 

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