Program to Consider

Academic Coaching at Cannon Upper School

Academic Coaching at Cannon (ACC) is a helpful resource available during the school day to ALL Cannon Upper School students. ACC’s mission is to support student growth and the development of lifelong learning strategies through intentional, focused programming that aims to improve overall academic standing.  

The Academic Coaching team is comprised of English teachers Mr. Richard Smith and Mrs. Sarah Miller, science teachers Mrs. Kenan Mattsson and Mr. Chase Hatcher, world language teacher Mrs. Lidia Calles-Gholdston, and US student support coordinator, Jessica Kulp. Our coaches use a student-centered approach to grow a student’s ability to set goals, be accountable, manage time and organize, employ study skills, and become a self-advocate.  This coaching model encourages the individual student to drive aspects of their ACC experience (i.e., date and time based on drop schedule, frequency, length, and content) and empowers them to take ownership of their learning.

Academic Coaching is very different from tutoring in the sense that although our team is made up of faculty from various subject areas, they rarely, if ever, focus on content-specific material during a session. Rather, coaches work in a relational 1:1 environment with students during a 25-30 minute coaching session to build and strengthen executive functioning (EF) skills, such as organization, task initiation, time management, planning, metacognition, focus, etc. Coaching sessions are customized based on identified areas of greatest need after an initial conversation between coach and student. As a student develops and adds to their “EF toolbox”, they should start applying those skills to maximize their potential in every subject area.  For good habits to stick, a minimum of 3 sessions is recommended.

Students can use the QR code below or the QR codes posted through the US building to sign up for ACC appointments. They should choose appointment days/times based on their drop schedule cycle. If you’re interested in learning more about ACC, please contact Mrs. Jessica Kulp at jkulp@cannonschool.org.  Additionally, Mrs. Kulp and Mr. Richard Smith will also offer an informational session about ACC at the Parent Education Night on Wednesday, February 5.