A Learning Concierge® Service
My Learning Springboard (MLS) is a unique, boutique, and diversified Educational Consulting Firm and Learning Concierge® service. Under the leadership of Brad Hoffman and Faya Hoffman — a husband-and-wife team and both Board Certified Educational Planners (a specialized type of Educational Consultant) and Learning Specialists — My Learning Springboard (MLS) works with learners of all ages who have diverse learning goals.
Our approach caters to a wide range of students: the first grader with reading difficulties; the fourth grader struggling with mathematical concepts; the seventh grader challenged with organizational and study skills; the overwhelmed high school junior in need of a flexible academic coach; or the highly curious learner wanting to explore coding, creative writing, engineering, chemistry, personal finance, or art. No one student profile or need defines us. By design, we grow with families over time, and we’re able to zig or zag in any direction that may be needed.
Our Company History
In 2009, Brad Hoffman and Faya Hoffman – a husband-and-wife team and both Board Certified Educational Planners (a specialized type of Educational Consultant) and Learning Specialists – wanted to find a way to bring together experienced educators and learning specialists at all levels — preK to college — to collaborate on developing the best program for each student while growing with a family over time. They did so by founding My Learning Springboard (MLS), a boutique multidisciplinary educational consulting firm and Learning Concierge® service, whose comprehensive and integrated model was the first of its kind.
Brad and Faya each began their teaching careers in fully inclusive school settings outside of Washington, DC and Detroit. At different points in each of their teaching careers, they relocated to New York City to pivot into corporate careers, which included Corporate Talent Development with a Fortune 100 media company and Public Relations within the fashion industry, respectively.
As Learning Specialists and former classroom teachers, Brad and Faya often found themselves in conversation supporting their colleagues with school planning questions. Seeing how overwhelmed, confused, and anxious so many parents felt about school planning and school related matters, Brad and Faya felt confident they could help families to better navigate the various pathways and opportunities available to them while creatively troubleshooting and problem solving throughout any child’s schooling experience.
Our Unique Approach
As a faculty, My Learning Springboard (MLS) has redefined what it means to work in multidisciplinary, collaborative teams supporting neurodiverse learners of all ages. Our faculty is composed of top-notch master teachers and experts, and we place a high value on professional efficacy and confidentiality as well as teaching with compassion and empathy.
Our expertise spans:
- School Planning & Admissions Consulting (PreK-12) and College Counseling
- Private Tutoring and Executive Function Coaching
- Test Preparation
Brad and Faya work in close partnership with each teacher and family, and they leverage their vast network of educators and related service professionals (e.g. psychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists) when appropriate.
Our main office is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with in-person and remote services available across New York City and the metro area. We also work with students and families across the United States and internationally via remote learning and consultation.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help each student reach their full potential by becoming a confident, successful, and lifelong learner. We involve students and parents in the decision-making process from the start, together selecting the best tutor(s) and approach for each family’s needs. Each family works closely with our Founders, Brad Hoffman and Faya Hoffman, throughout their time with My Learning Springboard (MLS) in order to customize their experience, facilitate strategic planning, and ensure success.
Our Practices
Our practices draw from a variety of programs, methodologies, and evidence-based practices so that we can effectively individualize instruction and adjust each child’s program as it gets under way. In our tutoring work with students, we efficiently integrate academic support, enrichment, and organizational and study skills regardless of subject matter. Classroom topics serve as a springboard for furthering conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We pride ourselves on serving as a resource for students, parents, and teachers by staying on the cutting-edge of educational and pedagogical research, technology, and news.
As a faculty, we are masters at assessing and individualizing instruction and strategically mapping out and implementing school planning efforts and instructional programs. Our consultation often includes collaboration with school faculty, private clinicians, or any other professional involved with supporting a student or family.
Our Values
In our work together as practitioners and in the way we operate our business, My Learning Springboard (MLS) promotes:
- Academic excellence and integrity
- Integration of teaching, research, and professional leadership
- Collegiality and collaboration
- Creativity, divergent thinking and innovation
- Diversity, equity, and social justice
- Lifelong learning, for students, teachers, and parents
- Trusted relationships with students, families, schools, and colleagues
- Responsible citizenship in a global environment
We are deeply grateful to the many families and schooling professionals who have trusted us and partnered with us over the many years in pursuit of helping each student to realize their full potential, and we look forward to continued success and growth as an organization dedicated to helping children and families thrive. Read more =>
Our Practices
Our practices draw from a variety of programs, methodologies, and evidence-based practices so that we can effectively individualize instruction and adjust each child’s program as it gets under way. In our tutoring work with students, we efficiently integrate academic support, enrichment, and organizational and study skills regardless of subject matter. Classroom topics serve as a springboard for furthering conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We pride ourselves on serving as a resource for students, parents, and teachers by staying on the cutting-edge of educational and pedagogical research, technology, and news.
As a faculty, we are masters at assessing and individualizing instruction and strategically mapping out and implementing school planning efforts and instructional programs. Our consultation often includes collaboration with school faculty, private clinicians, or any other professional involved with supporting a student or family.
Our Beliefs About Teaching And Learning
| Students | Teachers |
|---|---|
| Can learn. | Are responsible for creating a relaxed, engaging, and safe learning environment where students can take risks. |
| Can learn to be smart. | Are responsible for partnering with parents and other professionals to achieve success for every student. |
| Can succeed. | Should inform their methodologies with scholarly research and best practices about child development, pedagogy, and subject matter expertise. |
| Can reach mastery through effective effort, structured practice, and the application of targeted strategies. | Maintain high expectations for all students. |
| Benefit when tutors, parents, students, schools, and related professionals work together. | Build background knowledge and create meaningful learning experiences. |
| Benefit from enrichment teaching and mentorship that cultivates their special talents and gifts and offers experiential learning opportunities. | Differentiate and deliver developmentally appropriate instruction to meet the needs of each student. |
| Are vital participants in the instructional design process. They must assume ownership and accountability for their own learning and success. | Match strategies to individual students and the task at hand. |
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