Connection before curriculum.
Discover just how good true learning feels.
About MS. MANDY
consulting in all 50 US states and beyond
I pursued teaching, naively believing I was entering a creative field, only to be met with five-pound teaching manuals—heavily scripted and completely boring. Sure, the curriculum hit all the standards, but at what loss to the collective imagination and wonder of the students? I was horrified and quickly realized I’d be bucking the system from very early in my career. (I had no idea!)
Somewhere amid my world travels and teaching adventures, I became a birth and postpartum doula and left the classroom. It was a critical time of observation and meaningful learning for me. I was honored to be invited into the vulnerable moments within a family’s home life, and I saw what magic became possible when families were supported through the struggles and joy of a change in family dynamics.
As I began to think about the path I wanted for my own children’s education, the “obvious next steps” as a parent became much less…obvious. I questioned society’s standards of schooling, the separation of the family unit, and the seemingly arbitrary subjects that are valued in a school setting—none of which reflected what I wanted my young children to be confined by. Instead of a desk and a school uniform, I chose free play, exploration, and a radical investment in their natural curiosity.
Influenced by voices like Sir Ken Robinson, Julie Bogart, and John Holt, I poured more and more of my heart and soul into child-led learning, beginning every school year by asking my children, “What do YOU want to learn or explore this year?” That question, along with my mantra, “connection before curriculum,” drives my educational philosophy to this day.
I have served as a credentialed classroom teacher, school leader, homeschool mentor, and administrator in my beloved Los Angeles and abroad. When I became an educational consultant, I knew I wanted to apply the doula model of mentorship and connection into my work. Using the same intention and connection I’d relied on as a doula, I now get to closely support families through a different type of transition- the exit out of traditional education and into something that actually works for them.
Listening before advising, I aim to offer mindful, compassionate, and dynamic mentorship, paying close attention to the tenderness of each family’s support needs. From preschool to high school learners, I lean into low-demand, high-interest, real-world educational approaches.
Deeply involved in supporting children with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), and a PDA parent myself, I understand the challenges this profile of ASD can bring to education and family life. For many parents, I am the first educator they have ever met who truly understands common PDA challenges: both the imprint that school trauma can leave on a child as well as the parent’s journey through it- inevitably filled with the gaslighting, frustration, and isolation that can accompany advocating for a child with an invisible disability.
In a world that misunderstands and misdiagnoses PDA, the road that leads many parents to me has often been marked by heartache and loneliness—it’s their persistence that eventually leads them to me, here now, reading this very word.
I see you.
I understand you.
Together, we can do this.
About MS. MANDY
consulting in all 50 US states and beyond
I pursued teaching, naively believing I was entering a creative field, only to be met with five-pound teaching manuals—heavily scripted and completely boring. Sure, the curriculum hit all the standards, but at what loss to the collective imagination and wonder of the students? I was horrified and quickly realized I’d be bucking the system from very early in my career. (I had no idea!)
Somewhere amid my world travels and teaching adventures, I became a birth and postpartum doula and left the classroom. It was a critical time of observation and meaningful learning for me. I was honored to be invited into the vulnerable moments within a family’s home life, and I saw what magic became possible when families were supported through the struggles and joy of a change in family dynamics.
As I began to think about the path I wanted for my own children’s education, the “obvious next steps” as a parent became much less…obvious. I questioned society’s standards of schooling, the separation of the family unit, and the seemingly arbitrary subjects that are valued in a school setting—none of which reflected what I wanted my young children to be confined by. Instead of a desk and a school uniform, I chose free play, exploration, and a radical investment in their natural curiosity.
Influenced by voices like Sir Ken Robinson, Julie Bogart, and John Holt, I poured more and more of my heart and soul into child-led learning, beginning every school year by asking my children, “What do YOU want to learn or explore this year?” That question, along with my mantra, “connection before curriculum,” drives my educational philosophy to this day.
I have served as a credentialed classroom teacher, school leader, homeschool mentor, and administrator in my beloved Los Angeles and abroad. When I became an educational consultant, I knew I wanted to apply the doula model of mentorship and connection into my work. Using the same intention and connection I’d relied on as a doula, I now get to closely support families through a different type of transition- the exit out of traditional education and into something that actually works for them.
Listening before advising, I aim to offer mindful, compassionate, and dynamic mentorship, paying close attention to the tenderness of each family’s support needs. From preschool to high school learners, I lean into low-demand, high-interest, real-world educational approaches.
Deeply involved in supporting children with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), and a PDA parent myself, I understand the challenges this profile of ASD can bring to education and family life. For many parents, I am the first educator they have ever met who truly understands common PDA challenges: both the imprint that school trauma can leave on a child as well as the parent’s journey through it- inevitably filled with the gaslighting, frustration, and isolation that can accompany advocating for a child with an invisible disability.
In a world that misunderstands and misdiagnoses PDA, the road that leads many parents to me has often been marked by heartache and loneliness—it’s their persistence that eventually leads them to me, here now, reading this very word.
I see you.
I understand you.
Together, we can do this.
Here's what people are saying about Ms. Mandy:
“Although I had been considering homeschooling for some time, when I dared to step into the waters, I felt as though I were being pulled out to sea by a riptide whose current was made up of more curriculum options than I could fathom. The choices were overwhelming. A conversation with Mandy helped to center me, offer assurance about some of the choices I was leaning towards, guidance in others, and made me aware of some resources I’d not yet considered. So grateful for her wisdom!”
-Karin
“Mandy is able to help homeschooling feel not so overwhelming. She’s both a practical help and emotional support. She has been an educator for so long, she knows the resources, the different curriculum options, all the tricks of the trade. She’s upbeat and encouraging and refuses to let me feel like this is too much for me to handle. She’s able to truly listen and offer individualized advice for each child in my family taking into consideration realistic dynamics of family life.”
-Kristina
“I went to Mandy seeking ideas on how to improve my daughter’s homeschooling experience during her regular school’s shutdown due to Coronavirus. Mandy gave me great ideas in response to my questions on Math, Spanish, and STEM. But before she dove in, she asked me a number of relevant questions to better understand who my daughter is as a learner–her learning style, strengths and challenges. She asked about me, too! What she came up with was really thoughtful and applicable to my unique child. She shared strategies for how to get my daughter engaged and excited about learning in a holistic sense (hint: It’s not just about academics!) I really appreciated her experienced and vast knowledge of homeschooling resources and the landscape generally. She is also super easy to talk to. I look forward to gleaning more of her homeschooling wisdom during a follow-up!”
-Maya
You will not be disappointed. Mandy meets you with so much knowledge, compassion and understanding. She will get you all the information you could hope for and more. She truly tailors her support to your families specific needs, rather than giving the generic information or cookie cutter plans. Can’t recommend enough.
-Sarah
Mandy is a true professional in the field of education- but not in a typical “teachery” way. She knows the school system backwards and forwards but uses that knowledge in non-traditional ways. She knows about the realities of school trauma and actually believes parents when they say school isn’t working for their child- and then helps those parents kind a way OUT. She designs interactive learning experiences that do not involve worksheets and has again and again served as a non-judgmental encouragement to me over the years of working with her. I’m happy to say that my children- all with diverse needs and gifts, are now thriving
-Michelle
Mandy is the one-in-a-million educator who TRULY adapts her approach to reach every learner. Some educational advisors take “their” approach and apply it across the board, but Mandy’s approach changes with every child she works with. Parent of a child with learning differences or nervous system disabilities and used to feeling gaslit in the system? Not going to happen with her. She *really* gets it.