MEET THE WORLD CLASS TEAM
ADHD / EF COACHES
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Dr. Murphy became attuned to the challenges many students face through his twenty years of work in the field of special education supporting the needs of students with a wide range of disabilities. Dr. Murphy taught for more than a decade before becoming a school administrator, ultimately running private specialized schools for children with Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, Learning Disabilities and Social Anxiety Disorders.
After completing his doctorate, Dr. Murphy combined his extensive experience within schools with his advanced degree training and began consulting directly to families, students and adults. He consults with families and addresses the needs of students in all grade levels who have been diagnosed with such challenges as Asperger’s Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD), Social/Emotional Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities (LD) and students who simply struggle with time management and organization.
Dr. Murphy received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education from the University of Connecticut. He earned a second master’s degree in special education administration from Southern Connecticut State University. He completed his studies at Northeastern University where he earned a doctoral degree in education. He currently lives in Duxbury, Massachusetts with his wife and two young children. He is an avid runner and loves spending time with his family and friends.
"Dr. Murphy is an exceptional practitioner in the field of executive coaching and his methodology has been of tremendous benefit to many of my patients. His hands-on approach in working with many of my patients has helped them to achieve both academic and personal success. Dr. Murphy is well-versed in the field of executive function disorders and he applies empirically-based interventions that have resulted in positive outcomes"
Dr. Corey J. Nigro
Clinical Neuropsychologist
INWARDBOUNDPSYCH, LLC
After completing his doctorate, Dr. Murphy combined his extensive experience within schools with his advanced degree training and began consulting directly to families, students and adults. He consults with families and addresses the needs of students in all grade levels who have been diagnosed with such challenges as Asperger’s Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD), Social/Emotional Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities (LD) and students who simply struggle with time management and organization.
Dr. Murphy received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education from the University of Connecticut. He earned a second master’s degree in special education administration from Southern Connecticut State University. He completed his studies at Northeastern University where he earned a doctoral degree in education. He currently lives in Duxbury, Massachusetts with his wife and two young children. He is an avid runner and loves spending time with his family and friends.
"Dr. Murphy is an exceptional practitioner in the field of executive coaching and his methodology has been of tremendous benefit to many of my patients. His hands-on approach in working with many of my patients has helped them to achieve both academic and personal success. Dr. Murphy is well-versed in the field of executive function disorders and he applies empirically-based interventions that have resulted in positive outcomes"
Dr. Corey J. Nigro
Clinical Neuropsychologist
INWARDBOUNDPSYCH, LLC
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After completing her Masters Degree in Counseling from Boston College, Kerri Szafran began her career at Blue Hills Regional High School. She worked there for two years before joining Duxbury High School’s Guidance Department. There she worked with both middle and high school students. She specialized in homework support groups, lunch bunch groups, and managing the 504 Plans of all of her students. She was the student’s advocate, and managed a caseload of over 150 students. She helped bring the Link Crew Program to Duxbury High School, an orientation program for transitioning middle school students to high school. In addition to working as an Academic Coach for Effective Effort Consulting, she is currently a Behavioral Therapist, working with young children with Autism executing early intervention strategies such as ABA. Her specialties for coaching include working with ADHD/ADD students, students on the Autism Spectrum, and helping students who struggle with organization and study habits. Lost Mountain Expedition! Kerri lives in Duxbury with her husband and two young girls. She enjoys skiing in the winter with her family and having as much beach time as possible in the summer. She is also an avid golfer and runner.
What are clients saying about Kerri?
"Kerri is an amazing person. She puts her heart and soul into her work and has a passion for it. She made Camryn feel happy when she came over because Camryn knew that Kerri was going to help her succeed and she did. I will recommend Kerri to anyone that needs help with their kids to succeed. I will miss her smiling face and special way. I truly felt like she became part of our family." - Mother of a high school freshman with ADHD
"I was concerned about the lack of my child's organizational skills. I felt he was not grasping the importance of school work. He was not utilizing and valuing his relationship with teachers to excel and he was tuning mom out. After working with Kerri, he was able to realize the importance of organization, consistency and communication in his approach to school. When he connected with Kerri, a qualified friendly adult who listened attentively and didn't add parenting mistakes to the mix, he started to make the connections. He needed a fresh set of eyes and ideas to drive home the message" - Mom of a high school freshman with EFD
What are clients saying about Kerri?
"Kerri is an amazing person. She puts her heart and soul into her work and has a passion for it. She made Camryn feel happy when she came over because Camryn knew that Kerri was going to help her succeed and she did. I will recommend Kerri to anyone that needs help with their kids to succeed. I will miss her smiling face and special way. I truly felt like she became part of our family." - Mother of a high school freshman with ADHD
"I was concerned about the lack of my child's organizational skills. I felt he was not grasping the importance of school work. He was not utilizing and valuing his relationship with teachers to excel and he was tuning mom out. After working with Kerri, he was able to realize the importance of organization, consistency and communication in his approach to school. When he connected with Kerri, a qualified friendly adult who listened attentively and didn't add parenting mistakes to the mix, he started to make the connections. He needed a fresh set of eyes and ideas to drive home the message" - Mom of a high school freshman with EFD
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Judi Johnson M.Ed., Executive Function Coach, loves empowering kids, their parents, and adults through the teaching of executive function skills: time management, organization, prioritizing, goal setting and managing big emotions. She started out as a teacher but realized that her favorite lessons were the ones that helped kids with their life skills: organizing materials, using time effectively and seeing the big picture in life. So she changed her focus from teaching individual subjects to teaching individuals to realize their true potential. In addition to private coaching sessions, she has enjoyed teaching executive function classes, workshops, and weekly groups.
Judi earned a B.A. in Psychology at The University of Rutgers; an M.Ed. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at The Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University, and completed Executive Function Skills in the School & Classroom for Regular and Special Educators at All Grade Levels at Endicott College. She also has a certification in “Stress Reduction, relaxation and Mediation”. Judi has lived in Scituate for nine years with her husband, two kids, and dog, Magic. She finds that teaching aqua aerobics has been a fun way to keep in shape, and loves boating, skiing and cooking healthy delicious meals for her family.
what are clients saying about Judi?
"Our daughter was facing many challenges impairing her academic and personal progress. Finding Judi was a truly life-changing experience. Judi’s comprehensive assessment of the situation and skillful implementation of key strategies provided our daughter with a platform for managing her workload successfully. Watching our daughter transform into a confident, organized and independent young adult was truly awesome. She still uses her “Judi Strategies” every day! Judi is incredibly kind, compassionate, patient and gifted at helping each person find her inner capabilities and use these to master any obstacles. Judi is a very special person and we are forever grateful for her invaluable intervention. She is simply the best!" - Kathleen, parent of a high school student
"Judi helped me create structured homework plans through which I learned how to better prioritize assignments, plan ahead, and complete my work in a more timely and focused manner. She kept me on track and provided what I needed in a way that still let me feel a sense of self mastery. Judi is compassionate. She has a cheerful attitude and was always ready with a joke or thoughtful insight when I was feeling overwhelmed." - high school student
"Working with Judi not only helped me with the areas I wanted to focus on - family organization, planning, prioritizing, and follow-through, it helped me recognize and take advantage of my strengths to get things done. She is a great listener and coach and her suggestions and methods are so practical and doable. I see myself working with Judi again in the future when I face new and different challenges. I think she has really found her calling." - adult coaching client, age 45
Judi earned a B.A. in Psychology at The University of Rutgers; an M.Ed. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at The Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University, and completed Executive Function Skills in the School & Classroom for Regular and Special Educators at All Grade Levels at Endicott College. She also has a certification in “Stress Reduction, relaxation and Mediation”. Judi has lived in Scituate for nine years with her husband, two kids, and dog, Magic. She finds that teaching aqua aerobics has been a fun way to keep in shape, and loves boating, skiing and cooking healthy delicious meals for her family.
what are clients saying about Judi?
"Our daughter was facing many challenges impairing her academic and personal progress. Finding Judi was a truly life-changing experience. Judi’s comprehensive assessment of the situation and skillful implementation of key strategies provided our daughter with a platform for managing her workload successfully. Watching our daughter transform into a confident, organized and independent young adult was truly awesome. She still uses her “Judi Strategies” every day! Judi is incredibly kind, compassionate, patient and gifted at helping each person find her inner capabilities and use these to master any obstacles. Judi is a very special person and we are forever grateful for her invaluable intervention. She is simply the best!" - Kathleen, parent of a high school student
"Judi helped me create structured homework plans through which I learned how to better prioritize assignments, plan ahead, and complete my work in a more timely and focused manner. She kept me on track and provided what I needed in a way that still let me feel a sense of self mastery. Judi is compassionate. She has a cheerful attitude and was always ready with a joke or thoughtful insight when I was feeling overwhelmed." - high school student
"Working with Judi not only helped me with the areas I wanted to focus on - family organization, planning, prioritizing, and follow-through, it helped me recognize and take advantage of my strengths to get things done. She is a great listener and coach and her suggestions and methods are so practical and doable. I see myself working with Judi again in the future when I face new and different challenges. I think she has really found her calling." - adult coaching client, age 45
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Cristina Evans, M. Ed., is a licensed Massachusetts Special Education Teacher with specialized training in executive functioning disorders. Cristina earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Elementary Education. She received her Master's degree in Special Education from Bridgewater University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Cristina has worked with students presenting a wide array of strengths and challenges; giftedness, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabled, adhd/add, emotional impairment and language-based disorders. She has 10 years of special education teaching experience both in the United States and abroad. Cristina has taught in three different learning centers; one with children in grades K-2, one for grades 4-5 and now with grades 2-3. She also has 4 years of experience in a co-teaching inclusion classroom at the middle school level. Cristina has managed the entire IEP process from referral, to testing, to development and implementation of the document and it's modifications/accommodations. Outside of school, Cristina and her husband are parents of two, busy teenaged children. She enjoys yoga, running, cooking and as much reading as time allows.
What are clients saying about Cristina?
"My child has ADHD, and so teachers were concerned about my child's behavior (getting off seat, talking, and reading books at non-reading time). Cristina has been helping us since this spring, and at the beginning, the progress was slow, but recently we noticed a dramatic improvement in my child's self-awareness, therefore, self-control. We are very happy that we took the behavior therapy, rather than to resort to medicine right after the diagnostics." - Parents of elementary student with ADHD
"We are so thankful for all of the help and support Cristina has given our son Reece! The curriculum that she has taught him with executive functioning has improved not only his schoolwork, but every aspect of his life as well. Reece is a happier, more confident, more self- aware kid because of what he has learned from her. An added bonus is that our relationship with him has improved with not having to be the homework police anymore! Reece has gone from a frustrated discouraged 7th grader, to a successful student who is now also trying things out of his comfort zone. He’s playing baseball this year!! We are beyond thrilled with this new development. He is becoming more organized in his work and how he spends his time. Cristina has helped him to gain insight into both his strengths and his challenges. He is so proud of himself and his efforts, and it shows. Thank you, Cristina for your hard work and dedication in helping our son become the successful student that we knew he could be!" - Mother of a 7th grader with ADHD
"I wanted to let you know that we are really seeing an improvement with Rachel overall since school started. Over the summer she was making a lot of gains working with you and with the transition to school things are definitely improving each week. I see she is using her skills and seeking help when needed, and when I get home from work at night, she usually has finished all her homework! I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your coaching with Rachel. Her friend Jen said it best last weekend, she noted "Rachel you have changed so much from last year and doing so much better, your like a whole new person." - Mom of HS senior with depression and ADHD
What are clients saying about Cristina?
"My child has ADHD, and so teachers were concerned about my child's behavior (getting off seat, talking, and reading books at non-reading time). Cristina has been helping us since this spring, and at the beginning, the progress was slow, but recently we noticed a dramatic improvement in my child's self-awareness, therefore, self-control. We are very happy that we took the behavior therapy, rather than to resort to medicine right after the diagnostics." - Parents of elementary student with ADHD
"We are so thankful for all of the help and support Cristina has given our son Reece! The curriculum that she has taught him with executive functioning has improved not only his schoolwork, but every aspect of his life as well. Reece is a happier, more confident, more self- aware kid because of what he has learned from her. An added bonus is that our relationship with him has improved with not having to be the homework police anymore! Reece has gone from a frustrated discouraged 7th grader, to a successful student who is now also trying things out of his comfort zone. He’s playing baseball this year!! We are beyond thrilled with this new development. He is becoming more organized in his work and how he spends his time. Cristina has helped him to gain insight into both his strengths and his challenges. He is so proud of himself and his efforts, and it shows. Thank you, Cristina for your hard work and dedication in helping our son become the successful student that we knew he could be!" - Mother of a 7th grader with ADHD
"I wanted to let you know that we are really seeing an improvement with Rachel overall since school started. Over the summer she was making a lot of gains working with you and with the transition to school things are definitely improving each week. I see she is using her skills and seeking help when needed, and when I get home from work at night, she usually has finished all her homework! I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your coaching with Rachel. Her friend Jen said it best last weekend, she noted "Rachel you have changed so much from last year and doing so much better, your like a whole new person." - Mom of HS senior with depression and ADHD
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Melanie began her career working in a non-profit agency as a Program Manager servicing educationally at-risk youth. Realizing that this was education was her passion, she completed her M.Ed. in Education with a concentration in School Guidance. She has worked in both the vocational and comprehensive high school settings as a Guidance Counselor. She has worked for the last 13 years as a School Administrator, overseeing the Special Education, Career Services and Guidance Department. She is responsible for the educational needs of all students in her district. Melanie diligently works to ensure all students are provided with the tools necessary to be successful in school and upon graduation. She enjoys working with parents and students, one on one or in a group setting to set and meet goals. She is well versed in Special Education goals and 504 Accommodation Plans. Melanie lives in West Bridgewater with her husband. She enjoys boating, hiking, and physical fitness with her husband and dog, Louie.
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Meghan Leary, M.Ed.. Ed.S., is a school psychologist with a background working with children from pre-k through the highschool level. Meghan earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts in Psychology. She received her Master’s degree and Educational Specialist designation in School Psychology from Worcester State University. Meghan currently works in Middleborough, MA, where she supports and empowers middle school students facing a variety of challenges. Her focus has been on assisting students in developing the self-regulation skills necessary for navigating the demands of life both within and outside of the academic environment. Meghan has extensive knowledge of the IEP and 504 process, and has been responsible for referral, assessment, development, implementation, and monitoring outcomes. Meghan lives in Pembroke, MA. She enjoys spending time at the beach, cooking, running, and trying to keep up with her dog, Tess.
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Jaime Joyce, M. Ed., is a licensed Massachusetts History Teacher. She has classroom teacher and instructional assistant experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels and has experience co-teaching in a high school inclusion classroom. Jaime has provided learning, social and behavior support to students with autism spectrum disorder, executive function disorder, dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Jaime earned her undergraduate degree at Loyola University in New Orleans and her Masters in Education at American International College. Jaime lives in Duxbury with her husband, twins boys and dog. In her free time, Jaime loves traveling the world with her family and going to the beach.
"Jaime has been great and her work with my son seems to be helping to keep him organized, planning his studies, and accountability. He really likes working with her; her direct style is exactly what he needs. Looking forward to their continued progress" - Mom of HS student |
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Victoria Sulser is a master’s level special education teacher with a background working at the elementary, secondary, and college level. Victoria is currently a middle school special education teacher in Natick, MA. She has her certification in special education and her master’s in special education. She earned her undergrad at UMass Amherst and her Masters in Education at Northeastern University. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at UMass Boston. She comes to EEC with a passion for student learning and expertise in writing and developing executive function support plans for students requiring specialized services. Victoria currently lives in Hopkinton, MA. with her husband and baby boy. On her free time, Victoria loves to spend time with family on cape cod, run, and read mystery novels.