Meg Patterson
I am passionate about helping children become the BEST version of themselves! Watching students plug in to the 7 habits principles is one of the most exciting experiences I have ever known as an educator. As a teacher, my main concern was seeing bright children suffer because they weren’t reaching their potential. When I came across the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, I realized that I had gold in my hands. This book held principles all kids need not just the ones who appear to need them the most.
Even though the book was frequently read in class, I didn’t get the feeling that most children appreciated it – or that they really knew how to use it. It seemed that more could be done to help students apply these principles for real change. I knew that the habits would take a while to form so a great deal of attention would be necessary to get them into hearts and minds. I enjoyed teaching English, but my true passion wasn’t there – it was in helping students get out of their ruts so I became an Executive Functioning coach.
After teaching, I came to Atlanta and started “Tutoring for Excellence”. My educational background is a Master’s in Reading Education and a teaching degree from Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. I taught secondary English for 10 years and also have teacher certification in k-12 Special Education. In special education, I worked with children diagnosed with ADHD and learning disabilities such as dyslexia.
My methodology involves working with you and your child to put together an individualized plan. The plan is designed to help your child strengthen any skill area or executive functioning weakness. Usually, children will develop new daily habits and mind-sets to improve the area they need to work on. I have found that we need to educate each child in the basics of the 7 habits principles to be most effective. These principles are the foundation behind every aspect of our coaching.
So far, Megan Dicken, my business partner, and I have worked with children, teachers and case managers in the Atlanta area from Atlanta Girls’ School, Sutton Middle, North Atlanta High, Center Academy, SAE, Whitefield Academy, Holy Innocents, Woodward Academy and Cambridge High.