the ultimate educational experience

Equipping teachers with tools, training, and professional development 

ABOUT ACADEMIC INDEPENDENCE

COACHING 

At AI COACHING, we work to put together brain-based strategies of the highest efficiency and effectiveness, bringing to life the most holistic approach to education, as well as the insight and support you need to produce classrooms full of empowered students.

meet the team

lauren Price

Lauren Price, M.Ed., is the director of Academic Independence Coaching, an educational consulting firm that specializes in professional development for educators using self-regulated learning and brain-friendly methods. Lauren was inspired to study self-regulation after watching her brother struggle with dyslexia and ADHD. He tried working with tutor after tutor, but only overcame his challenges when he took responsibility for his own academic independence. She aims to help every student achieve an “aha!” moment that will help him or her become a truly self-regulated learner. After working directly with students one-on-one for almost 2 decades, she founded Academic Independence Coaching to promote research-based, evidence-generated methods in the classroom. Training one teacher is a powerful way to equip more students with the proper tools for success. 

Lauren holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Houston with a focus on self-regulated learning. She learned under Dr. Christopher Wolters, a leader in the field who conducted empirical studies at UH into students' self-regulation practices and academic achievement.  Lauren's most recent achievement has been the creation of a digital planner and tracker tool that empowers students to be academically independent. 

Julie hudek

Julie Raye Hudek is a graduate of the University of Texas, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Spanish Teaching. After working as a Spanish teacher and staff trainer at Lamar High School, Julie began working as a Spanish, English, and History tutor for Academic Independence. Through her work with students both in the classroom and one-on-one, Julie realized that utilizing the principles of self-regulation and brain-friendly learning methods was just as important as the content being taught; as such, Julie was inspired to work more extensively with educators to bring classroom teaching to the next level with the latest in brain science and learning research. As Lead Executive Trainer for Academic Independence Coaching, Julie enjoys connecting with teachers to solve the complex problems of the modern classroom. In her spare time, Julie loves to practice yoga and spend time with her husband, baby boy, and silver lab.

Stephanie toro

Stephanie Toro’s ultimate goal is to help others love teaching and learning about science, as much as she does. She has a diverse background in science and science teaching with undergraduate degrees in Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry and Psychology, a Masters in Science Teaching, a Masters in Oceanography, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in science. She has over 20 years of classroom experience and has taught 5th grade through 12th grade, as well as community college, university, and professional development for teachers and professors. Previous courses she has taught as a classroom teacher include Chemistry, Biology, Biology Honors, Environmental Science, AP Environmental Science, Marine Science, Geology, Earth Science, Middle School Earth Science, and Middle School Physical Science. She also has taught science methodology courses for preservice and inservice teachers. Regardless of the subject, Stephanie enjoys helping learners of all ages and types discover themselves to become more successful as a lifelong learner with effective strategies. Tutoring allows her to personalize this journey for each of her students. 

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