Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Marine.
Hi Kelly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Like so many, I took the time during COVID to re-evaluate my career path. I had spent nearly two decades in public and private schools as a middle and high school English teacher, grade-level dean, and co-director of a Learning Center, and I realized it was time for a pivot. The COVID years created significant learning gaps that I knew could be best addressed through therapeutic, one-on-one support.
I left classroom teaching, returned to school for a post-graduate certification in educational therapy, and founded a practice specializing in executive functions coaching for students with diagnosed learning differences. Two years in, I brought on a business partner from my hometown of San Diego, California, and together we launched Marine & Belo Educational Therapy.
Since then, we’ve been thrilled by the remarkable progress our students make with just a few months of individualized attention, results that simply weren’t possible in a classroom setting. We love empowering students to achieve their goals while rediscovering a love of learning.
We’ve also built a niche in college essay coaching. Students we’ve worked with have been accepted to schools including Cornell, UVA, Duke, UGA, University of Chicago, and Tulane. While we’re not college counselors, we collaborate closely with them to equip and empower students for the next stage of their educational journey. Our motto, “Equipping Students for Every Stage of Their Educational Journey,” now encompasses supporting our college students as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I faced initially was finding my niche. I spent a lot of time working with mentors and former colleagues to craft offerings that would differentiate my practice from others in the field. Through those conversations, I realized that educational therapy was the right fit for me because it allowed me to work on executive function skills while addressing the needs of the whole child. I knew that building self-esteem and confidence had to be part of the process.
Once I had clarity on my niche, the next step was connecting with the people who could help us reach students, what a friend of mine calls the gatekeepers. In our case, those were psychologists in San Diego and Atlanta who perform psycho-educational testing and often recommend that students with diagnosed learning differences work with an executive function coach. Building those relationships was key to growing our practice and reaching the students who could benefit most from our services
As you know, we’re big fans of Marine and Belo Educational Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Marine and Belo Educational Therapy provides executive functions coaching for students who benefit from individualized academic support in a safe, therapeutic environment. We equip students for every stage of their educational journey.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for anyone starting out is to really find your niche and build relationships with the gatekeepers, the people who can connect you to the clients you want to reach. At the end of the day, business is all about connection and relationships. I’ve found that what sustains me from day to day is that I love what I do and care about the students and families that I serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marineandbelo.com
- Other: kelly@marineandbelo.com
