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About Us

SparkED Consulting is a team of experienced educators who share a similar purpose in our work with students: to create learning environments that enable every child to realize their academic potential. The SparkED philosophy and mission grew from this shared purpose and from our belief that strong organizational and executive functioning skills are essential ingredients for academic success.  

 

We meet with families and students to minimize stress and maximize academic growth, independence, and advocacy. By developing a strong partnership with our clients, we identify challenges and create personalized systems for better management of materials, information, and time. Additionally, SparkED seeks to bridge gaps that can sometimes exist between school and home by facilitating conversations about the student's needs.

 

SparkED maximizes client learning and growth by:

  • Embracing a whole family approach by supporting families and their children in their home environments

  • Developing personalized, achievable strategies and systems for better organization and executive functioning

  • Teaching strategies and skills that apply to current student work 

  • Helping families bridge the gap that often exists between home and school culture

  • Creating an individualized program that guides students towards independence

  • Communicating short and long-term plans and sharing recommendations on a regular basis

Meet the Team

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Deborah Costa
15+ Years in Education, Co-Founder

B.A. Boston College
Elementary Education & Math/Computer Science

 

M.A. Teachers College, Columbia University
Instructional Technology and Media

Deborah began her career as a third grade teacher and later led the technology program at a PreK-8th grade independent school. With the constant innovation of digital tools, Deborah enjoys discovering technologies that enable students to achieve their learning and creative goals. Deborah is currently working towards her ICF Life Coach certification specializing in supporting clients with ADHD. During her free time, Deborah enjoys exploring new places with her husband and daughter.

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Jennifer Haakmat
25+ Y
ears in Education, Co-Founder

B.A. Manhattanville College  
English Literature 
 
M.S. Bank Street College of Education
Middle School Special and General Education

Jennifer has worked with hundreds of students in grades K-12, both as a classroom teacher and as a Learning Specialist. She has worked in independent schools in both New York City and New Jersey.  Over the course of her career, Jennifer has also acted as a diversity consultant and facilitator and spent a year in between in television as a set stylist.  Jennifer is married and is a parent of a high schooler.​

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Lauren Kronthal
10+ Years in Education

B.S. Georgetown University
Chemistry

 

Ed.M. Teachers College, Columbia University

Science Teacher Education

​In her career as an educator, Lauren has worked as a middle school science teacher, K-8th grade science specialist, and executive function coach. She has taught in independent schools and public charter schools in New Jersey and Washington, DC. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, organizing, and exploring different neighborhoods in New York City, where she lives with her husband.

Jennifer has worked with hundreds of students in grades K-12, both as a classroom teacher and as a Learning Specialist. She has worked in independent schools in both New York City and New Jersey.  Over the course of her career, Jennifer has also acted as a diversity consultant and facilitator and spent a year in between in television as a set stylist.  Jennifer is married and is a parent of a high schooler.

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In her career as an educator, Lauren has worked as a middle school science teacher, K-8th grade science specialist, and executive function coach. She has taught in independent schools and public charter schools in New Jersey and Washington, DC. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, organizing, and exploring different neighborhoods in New York City, where she lives with her husband.

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