Who is an Academic Coach and How Can They Help Your Child?
Have you ever heard of an academic coach? If the term sounds unfamiliar, you’re not alone. Although academic coaching is steadily gaining popularity worldwide, many parents in Jamaica still aren’t sure exactly what it involves or how it differs from traditional tutoring.
An academic coach is much more than just a tutor. While tutors typically help students grasp specific subject content, academic coaches go a step further by equipping students with essential skills and strategies to excel academically in the long run. Think of an academic coach as your child’s personal trainer for school success—someone who helps them develop effective study habits, organizational skills, goal-setting strategies, and exam techniques.
How Can an Academic Coach Help Your Child?
1. Time Management and Organization: Academic coaches help students create personalized schedules, prioritize tasks, and manage assignments efficiently, reducing stress and improving overall productivity.
2. Goal Setting and Motivation: Coaches help students identify clear, achievable academic goals and provide ongoing support and encouragement, keeping students motivated throughout their academic journey.
3. Study Techniques and Strategies: Academic coaches introduce proven study techniques tailored to each student’s learning style, improving comprehension and retention of material.
4. Test-taking Strategies: Students learn effective exam preparation methods, stress management techniques, and test-taking skills that enhance performance and confidence.
5. Self-advocacy and Confidence: Academic coaching fosters independence by teaching students how to advocate for themselves, seek resources, and develop the confidence needed to navigate academic challenges.
Who Can Benefit from Academic Coaching?
Academic coaching is beneficial to all types of learners—whether your child is a high-achieving student aiming for top exam scores, a student struggling to keep up, or even someone who just needs structure and support to stay organized.
Parents also find academic coaching extremely valuable, as it provides their children with focused guidance, reduces homework stress at home, and improves academic results.
Academic Coaching in Jamaica
In Jamaica, the role of an academic coach is relatively new and highly specialized. Tashika Yateman-Gardener, a Master’s Degree trained educational expert and currently Jamaica’s leading academic coach, describes her role as vital in shaping students’ academic success. When interviewed about her work, Gardener said, “I help parents create a successful future for their children by solving their academic problems.”
Yateman-Gardener emphasizes that academic coaching works best when it specifically adapts to the educational context of the learner, aligning practical support and strategies with the unique challenges students face in local schools. Through Natken Educational Services Ltd., Yateman-Gardener offers specialized coaching services supporting students aiming to pursue studies locally or internationally.
By understanding what an academic coach does and the significant impact they can have, Jamaican parents can now explore this valuable resource to empower their children to achieve academic excellence.