Hello!
Welcome and thank you visiting our page. At Beyond the Norms, our team of passionate educators strive to nurture every student's abilities, specializing in twice exceptional, gifted, and learning differences. For over two decades, we've been dedicated to tailoring personalized learning experiences. Our mission is to champion individuality by crafting individualized educational journeys that address diverse learning needs. We are excited to help your child have an enriching, life-preparing education and experience, however asynchronous that may be. Those experiences, that we can then draw on to help others, is a large part of what makes us unique individuals.


Meet our Teachers:



AIMEE FALZONE

As a neurodiverse SPED educator, I am deeply passionate about tapping into the full potential and intrinsic motivation of every child through outside-the-box and creative, critical thinking. 
Being one of the few 90’s girl children diagnosed with ADHD, I have seen the difference it can make of “knowing” your own individual brain wiring. It is my goal to help children discover their own brains as well. 
As a Researcher, it is my nature to constantly seek out and use innovative, research-backed approaches to learning that not only acknowledge but also celebrate each child's uniqueness.
I have very diverse experiences across countries and cultures that have formed my understanding and connection with the world. My passion for learning something new is a core part of my personality. I thrive in helping others and sharing things gained from my experiences, curiosity and research. 

A few highlights of my background:

Raised in the culturally diverse New Orleans 
Involved in a wide variety of volunteer work from a very young age until present
Worked with refugee adult and children, helping with settling, health care navigation and translation
Worked with many different language groups and cultures with an ear for accents that aids my work with and understanding of ESL students- including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, African (Congolese, Kenyan, Ethiopian, Arabic, Senegalese, Ethiopian), Polish, French, and Italian to name a few. 

Education:

BA in Psychology with a focus on Abnormal Child Psych and Child Development
Executive Functioning Coach
Honors College Graduate (Magna Cum Laude) with Honors Research Study in Neuroplasticity
Honors Thesis work in Novel Development and Creative Writing
Practical Nursing Certification 
Certified and qualified to teach Social Studies in Florida for grade K-5 and 6-12
Approved provider with Step up for Students
Special Education Certification with focus on: 
      ADHD 
      Reading for Dyslexia
      Sensory Processing 
      Gifted And Talented

Work Experience:

Executive Function Coach
SPED Educator / Tutor / IEP developer
Honors College Tutor at University and High School level
Private Tutor for Elementary and Middle School level
Teacher- Virtual Distance Learning Classes
Teacher- In-Classroom Public School System

Biological Scientist at a Research University
Senior Research Project Specialist at a Comprehensive Cancer Center
Curriculum Creator and Modifier for differentiation 
      Adapting mainstream curriculum to better suit the learning needs of students with special requirements
      Enhancing mainstream curriculum to meet the needs of Gifted or accelerated learners 
      Customizing the curriculum to embrace a spectrum of learning styles (hands-on, visual, auditory)


CHERYL REED

With over a decade of experience of working with families in NYC helping them empower themselves to live their best lives, Cheryl is a dedicated educator with a proven ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds. 

Her wide-ranging expertise includes: 
Teaching ESL students from various cultures, 
Working 1:1 with neurodiverse youths in developing life skills 
And tutoring incarcerated high school and college students 

Cheryl thrives on taking on challenges and creating meaningful learning experiences for all. Trained in Executive Functioning instruction, she finds great fulfillment in helping students build essential skills. Her ultimate goal is to ensure that every individual feels seen, supported, valued and equipped to unlock their full potential.

SHELIA TREVINO (Aspire Learning Academy)

Shelia is a seasoned educator with extensive experience teaching neurodivergent learners, (including students who are Gifted, ADHD, 2e, etc). As a homeschooling parent of a son with debilitating ADHD, ODD, and DMDD, she intimately understands the challenges faced by neurodivergent learners and their families. Her journey of developing effective strategies and finding engaging, accessible resources for her son has fueled her passion for empowering others to navigate the complexities of executive functioning and learning differences.

Shelia is a Star Educator rated 5 stars by parents teaching in the OutSchool Org Aspire Learning Academy the following subjects as well: Spanish and Financial Literacy. You can find those classes and reviews of her teaching listed under "Aspire Learning Academy".

HOPE SHAW

Hope has extensive experience working with children, building their resilience, mental organization and life skills. Unlock your potential for academic success and personal growth with tailored guidance from a seasoned Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), holding a Master's degree in counseling. Specializing in stress management, mindfulness, and life skills building, Hope offers individualized 1-on-1 tutoring aimed at equipping students with invaluable tools to thrive in both academia and life. Through personalized sessions, Hope empowers students to navigate academic challenges with confidence, while fostering resilience and enhancing overall well-being.