About Allison
Bio:
Allison Hardesty was born and raised in Redondo Beach, CA. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education & California Teaching Credential from Mount Saint Mary’s University and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University. She also practices as a Licensed Certified Holistic Nutritionist. She has combined her experience in Education, Psychology, and Nutrition to develop a service that offers support for academic, social, behavioral, mental and physical wellness..
Believing in a "whole" education, one that is built on an understanding that academic success is a piece of our education supported by other skills and experiences, she works with students to foster their growth and development by addressing their academic, social, mental, emotional, and physical needs. She understands the importance of individual learning needs and experiences in one's education and uses these to support her students' academic success, self confidence and efficacy, to instill intrinsic motivation and growth mindsets, practice social skills, and model the development of healthy wellness practices.
Having taught at various college prep high schools throughout Los Angeles, she has over thirteen years of experience working with children and adolescents. She specializes in executive functioning skills, study skills and habits, social-emotional development, mental health practices, behavior management, and differential learning strategies and instruction. Her passion for teaching and supporting students was inspired by her teachers who showed her empathy, kindness, and made learning fun.
As a Teacher, student advocate, and mentor, she has spent her career dedicated to empowering students to use their education as a tool for growth and discovery, and has worked to create positive learning environments that foster students’ sense of self efficacy and autonomy. She believes in a holistic approach to education; one that includes the social, emotional, intellectual and behavioral development of her students.
Philosophy
To those who came before me:
Throughout my journey in the field of education and health I have cherished those who have fostered my own understanding of what it means to be a teacher and mentor. I am forever grateful to those who have inspired my own growth and development and the influence they have had on my own philosophy.
Over the past 13 years, I have dedicated myself to nurturing my students' personal growth and development and have worked to foster their "whole" education...one that strives to meet their individual needs, guides and supports their discovery of their unique abilities, instills confidence in their potential and promotes their self efficacy.
Philosophy:
1. We are all unique beings that have the ability to reach our full potential when provided with the right environment; one that is made up of unconditional positive regard, acceptance, and empathy -Abraham Maslow
2. Socrates once said, " I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think"....To create a supportive and positive learning environment, is to approach each individual with patience and understanding ...It is guiding them to a place where they feel safe to explore learning, be creative, make mistakes, and discover their abilities.,,,It is to support their growth and development as autonomous learners.
3. As a teacher and mentor, I work to foster a "whole" education.... One that is built on understanding individual learning needs and experiences, supports creativity, instills intrinsic motivation, practices social skills, develops and supports a growth mindset, and nurtures mental wellness. In today's world, the health and wellness of my students is a priority....And it is my goal to nurture this delicate need,
To the teachers and mentors who have inspired me to see my own potential and abilities and who supported my individual needs and progress, thank you.... You taught me how to utilize my strengths and discover my unique talents, passions, and creativity and how to apply them in all aspects of my life. ...You guided me to a place that was already inside of me, awaiting my discovery....It was through your patience, mentorship, and unconditional regard that I discovered my own confidence and ability to mentor and nurture others..... Those experiences have guided and shaped my own teaching philosophy, career, and dedication to sharing that same experience with those who have become my students, Thank you.