04 Feb Tutor vs. Executive Functioning Coach
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
CHOOSING BETWEEN A TUTOR AND AN EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING (EF) COACH
A Guide for NYC Parents
Do I Need a Therapist or an Executive Function Coach PDF here.
As a parent in New York City (NYC), Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, The Bronx, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, and New Jersey, you want the best support for your child’s academic journey. Whether your child is struggling with specific subjects or facing challenges in organization, time management, and self-regulation, deciding between a tutor vs executive functioning coach can be crucial.
Academic tutoring focuses on content mastery, while executive functioning coaching focuses on learning systems and study habits.
Many students benefit from one or the other, but some students—especially those with ADHD or learning differences—benefit from both supports working together.
This guide breaks down the qualifications, benefits, and processes involved in working with each professional while also helping NYC-area parents navigate local resources to find the best fit for their child. For families who want a foundational overview before diving in, reviewing what executive functioning is can provide helpful context.
What is the Difference Between an Executive Functioning Coach and a Tutor?
Tutors: Subject-Matter Experts
Tutors specialize in academic content, helping students improve their understanding of specific subjects like math, science, or reading. A good tutor:
- Has a relevant degree in the subject they teach
- May hold a teaching certification (preferred but not always required)
- Has experience working with students at the appropriate grade level
- Provides test prep and homework help
- Helps students achieve short-term academic gains, such as improving grades
If you’re looking for professionals who focus specifically on subject mastery, our overview of academic tutors and coaches explains how different instructional roles are structured.
Executive Functioning Skills Coaches: Specialists in Learning & Organization
An executive functioning coach helps students develop core skills like:
- Organization & time management
- Task initiation & follow-through
- Self-regulation & focus (especially for ADHD students)
- Study habits & test-taking strategies
- Emotional resilience & motivation
Rather than teaching a single subject, EF coaches guide students to build skills that apply across all subjects and in everyday life. For a deeper look at how these domains operate in real academic settings, see our executive function skills guide for the NYC metro area.
Tutor vs Executive Functioning Coach in New York City
This is particularly relevant for students with ADHD. In some cases, families notice that tutoring improves understanding but does not reduce missed assignments or procrastination. Our discussion on why tutoring doesn’t work for ADHD explores why executive skill-building may be a more effective intervention in these situations.
In highly structured academic environments, tutoring may resolve content gaps efficiently. However, when a student understands the material but struggles to start work, manage time, or stay organized, the root issue may not be academic knowledge.
Who is More Qualified to Be an Executive Functioning Coach?
Not all EF coaches are created equal! While general education teachers may be able to provide some EF coaching, special education professionals, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), psychologists, and learning specialists are best suited for this role.
Preferred Licenses & Certifications for EF Coaches
- Certified Special Education Teacher – Best for students with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or executive function difficulties
- Licensed School Psychologist – Strong background in cognitive and emotional development
- Certified Learning Specialist – Trained in academic interventions and executive functioning support
- Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) – Essential for students with language-based executive dysfunction
Graduate & Post-Graduate Training for EF Coaches
The most qualified EF coaches have advanced degrees in:
- Special Education
- Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
- Cognitive Science & Neuropsychology
- Educational Therapy
- Learning Disabilities & ADHD Coaching
What Questions Should Parents Ask an EF Coach?
Before hiring an EF coach, parents should ask:
- What is your educational background? (Do they have a master’s or doctoral degree in a relevant field?)
- What certifications or post-graduate training do you have? (Are they a licensed special educator, psychologist, or SLP?)
- Do you specialize in working with students with ADHD or executive dysfunction?
- How do you assess and track progress in executive functioning skills?
- What strategies do you use to keep students engaged and motivated?
Benefits of Academic Tutoring
Benefits of Working with an EF Coach
- Long-term skill development across all subjects
- Improved time management and organization
- Better study habits and test-taking strategies
- Stronger emotional regulation and motivation
- Enhanced self-awareness and problem-solving skills
When Should Parents Consider Both a Tutor and an EF Coach?
- When a student struggles with both content and study skills
- If organization, planning, and time management issues affect academic performance
- When preparing for big academic transitions (e.g., middle school to high school)
- If the student has learning differences that require comprehensive support
Why Choose Themba Tutors?
At Themba Tutors, we provide highly specialized, one-on-one in-person and virtual tutoring & executive functioning coaching across New York City (NYC), Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, The Bronx, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
What Sets Us Apart?
- Special Educators, Speech-Language Pathologists & Learning Specialists trained in ADHD & executive function coaching
- Convenient In-Home & Online Sessions
- No One-Size-Fits-All Approach – Every student gets a personalized plan
Our Approach to Executive Function Coaching
At Themba Tutors, we structure our executive function coaching like a sandwich:
- 🥪 Top Bun: Assessing current executive functioning skills and setting a baseline
- 🥬 Core (Meat/Veggies): Strengthening core EF skills like organization, time management, and focus
- 🍞 Bottom Bun: Applying EF skills in real-world academic and social settings
Themba Tutors’ Free Intake Process
- Step 1: Consultation – Parents connect with our intake coordinator within 24 hours
- Step 2: Student History Review – We evaluate strengths and challenges
- Step 3: Tutor Matching – We pair students with the best-fit professional
- Step 4: Free Meet-and-Greet – Try a session before committing
- Step 5: Personalized Learning Plan – We develop a customized approach for success
Final Thoughts: Tutor vs Executive Functioning Coach
Parents in NYC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, The Bronx, Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, and New Jersey can now confidently find expert academic coaching and tutoring services for their child. By prioritizing qualified special educators, speech-language pathologists, and learning specialists, parents can ensure their child receives the best executive function coaching and academic tutoring available.
Would you like a personalized consultation? Reach out today!
Not ready to fill out the form yet? We’re here to make this easy.
📞 (917) 382-8641 | 📲 (917) 382-8641 | ✉ [email protected]
Every coach offers a free 15-minute remote meet-and-greet, so you can get to know them and see if it feels like the right fit. We’re very responsive and easy to communicate with throughout the process. From there, we’ll thoughtfully match you with one or more of our coaches.
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Craig Selinger
Owner at Themba Tutors
Meet Craig Selinger, the passionate owner behind Themba Tutors, a renowned practice specializing in executive function coaching and tutoring. Together with his team of multidisciplinary professionals, they bring their extensive knowledge to numerous locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as offering remote services. As a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of NY, executive functioning coach, and educational specialist with an impressive track record spanning over two decades, Craig has professionally assisted thousands of families. Craig's proficiency encompasses a wide spectrum of areas, including language-related learning challenges such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. He is also well-versed in executive functioning, ADHD/ADD, and various learning disabilities. Beyond his clinical and coaching work, Craig is also a published author on Amazon, where he shares practical strategies that extend his expertise to a broader audience. What truly distinguishes Craig and his team is their unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive support. By actively collaborating with the most esteemed professionals within the NYC metropolitan region – from neuropsychologists to mental health therapists and allied health experts – they create a network of expertise.
Latest posts by Craig Selinger (see all)
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