HOLISTIC Academic MENTORING
One of my greatest passions in life is to guide young people to discover and grow their strengths and gifts, optimize their approach to learning, develop strategies for stress management and emotional regulation, and take steps to become the person they want to be. In my mentoring sessions, I strive to understand the unique temperament, challenges, and goals of each client and work holistically to support them not only to build skills, cultivate mindsets, and build systems that help them to move toward their goals but also to thrive in their life now, to find fulfillment, joy, and connection. My mentoring is distinct from tutoring because it is explicitly holistic and grounded in a broader definition of success and fulfillment, which includes feeling grounded and connected to oneself and others, and in touch with a sense of aliveness, joy, and passion that goes beyond any concrete educational or vocational outcomes.
My Approach to Mentoring
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Academic Mentoring
Build on your core strengths and develop strategies and tools to optimize your academic performance. Improve your organization and learn to prioritize and find balance. Get support in clarifying, tracking, and achieving your goals. Overcome persistent obstacles that get in the way of achieving your goals. Tap into a deeper love of learning. Get support with choosing and applying to college and grad school. While some targeted writing and humanities support is available as needed, coaching is distinct from tutoring.
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Cultivate Your Passions and Gifts
Discover and grow your passions, in and outside of school. Find and pursue avenues for your creative expression. Discover and build upon your strengths and unique gifts, turning them into pathways for success and fulfillment. Get support for vocational exploration and skill-building. Vision for your future and chart a course toward the life you most want to live.
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Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction
Develop and practice tools for self-regulation, stress reduction, groundedness, presence, focus, and energy. Shift limiting beliefs and mindsets. Learn nature connection practices that reduce stress, strengthen your awareness and focus, and enrich your life.
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Social and Emotional Literacy
Learn to understand, process, and regulate your emotions, as well as communicate your feelings and needs clearly and powerfully. Get support with developing and cultivating deep connections, relationships, and community.
Testimonials
“Alex Gilman was my coach when I was in high school. At my school, teachers were referred to as guides, and for Alex, the title could not have been more accurate. At that time in my life I was very unsure about my education and my future in general. Alex was steadfast in his support, and always ready to sit down with me and talk through my concerns. I struggle with time management but I often find it difficult to ask for help. Luckily for me, Alex is a model of patience and approachability. He understood how to make me more comfortable and has a talent for bringing out the best in people. With his help, not only was I more comfortable asking for help when I needed it, I became more confident in my ability to independently succeed. His guidance helped re-cultivate my love of learning when I felt ready to give up on school altogether. And if I hadn’t had the opportunity to work with him, and learn from him as a teacher and as a person, I would not be where I am today.”
— E.L.
“During my time as a student, I was lucky enough to have Alex Gilman as my coach. During those 3 years, I had bi-weekly meetings with Alex in which we would converse on both academic and personal topics, especially focusing on keeping a healthy life balance. I am very grateful for how caring and insightful working with Alex was. Through our meetings, I was able to form a personal connection and friendship with Alex as my mentor, and I grew immensely as an individual through our conversations.”
— T.C.