Smart Parents Successful Students

Tess Connolly, LCSW, is a Parent and Family Coach with over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, and families. She is the founder of Mindful Kids and Families and the host of The Single Parenting Reset Show Podcast, where she shares practical tools to strengthen communication, reduce conflict, and build deeper connections with tweens and teens. Tess believes the most powerful parenting skill is already inside you—it’s rooted in the relationship you build with your child. She lives in Northern California with her teenage son and their dog, Red.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

● What parents often get wrong about screen time and what they should focus on instead

● One practical shift to reduce power struggles when screen time becomes a constant conflict

● A realistic, long-term approach to managing screen time that works for busy families

You can find Tess Connolly at her email- [email protected]. You can also find her at her www.mindfulkidsandfamilies.com. Her Instagram link is: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulkidsandfamilies, along with her YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvCdDjLaE_vy6_3S75Z1N Q.

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected].

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above.

Jaci Finneman is a parenting coach, speaker, and host of the No Problem Parenting Podcast, with over 30 years of experience helping parents turn everyday behavior struggles into manageable moments. She is the founder of No Problem Parenting™, a practical, confidence-based approach that teaches parents how to lead with clarity, prepare for challenges, and change the conversation—without power struggles or emotional exhaustion. Jaci’s work supports parents in becoming the steady, capable leaders their kids crave, even in the middle of tough behavior.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• Why capable kids sometimes push back, shut down, or seem unmotivated at school

• What confident parental leadership looks like for K–12 families, especially when kids resist homework, routines, or expectations

• A simple mindset shift and daily practice that parents can use to help kids build lasting responsibility and problem-solving skills

• How parents can respond without nagging or escalating

You can find Jaci at [email protected]. You can also find her on her social media platforms: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/noproblemparents/ and her Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/noproblemparents. 

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected]. 

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above. 

Rebecca Oertell is the founder of CoachMe2.world, a global nonprofit on a mission to ensure every teen has access to professional support during one of the most challenging and formative periods of their lives. Rebecca started CoachMe2.world after witnessing how today's teens are struggling with unprecedented levels of anxiety, burnout, and achievement pressure—yet most families face insurmountable barriers to getting help. In 2026, CoachMe2.world is launching a Peer Coaching Program where teens will learn transformative coaching skills to support one another, creating a community of connection in a world where teens increasingly feel isolated and overwhelmed.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• Why the modern parent-teen relationship is struggling and what is actually happening beneath the surface of daily friction

• How to recognize when your actions don't match your words and the simple shift that builds real trust

•  A practical tool you can use immediately to move from "lecturing" to truly hearing your teen

• Why shifting your focus from "college prep" to "adult prep" is the key to long-term success, and how peer coaching bridges that gap

You can find Rebecca Oertell at https://www.coachme2.world or email her at [email protected]. You can learn more and connect with a coach at www.coachme2.world. Visit the website to fill out her form. 

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected].

Laurie Genevish, founder of My Ideal College, is a nationally recognized career consultant who has helped hundreds of families ease the stress of planning life after high school. Through her group coaching program, she empowers students to identify their best-fit careers and plan confidently, while equipping parents with strategies to support their teens. She believes that when families work together with a clear plan, success and savings follow. 

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• Why the best first move for an undecided teen isn't more college tours, but deeper self-discovery

•  How to determine if your teen is truly wired for a four-year degree or a high-impact alternative like trades or a gap year

• A tactical conversation starter to bypass "shut-down" mode and get resistant teens talking about the future

•  How  to use professional assessments to identify strengths before you spend a dime on tuition

You can find Laurie at her website- www.myidealcollege.org. You can also reach her via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MyIdealCollege or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/myidealcollege_official. 

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected]. 

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above. 

Adrienne Achille is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist and owner of a private counseling practice in Marietta. She offers individual therapy services for ages 3 and older, family therapy, and parent coaching for those experiencing emotional regulation challenges, low self-esteem, and challenges coping with neurodiversity.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• What the role of play, movement, and connection has in a child’s emotional development
  

• What you should focus on first when a child has big emotions or behavior struggles at school

• What co-regulation is and why it matters
  

• How parents can help children build emotional regulation skills at home

You can reach Adrienne at [email protected]. Her website is https://www.expressivehealing.org/. You can also find her on her Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/adrienne.achille.71. To schedule a 15 minute free consultation call, use the number: (404) 939-6196. 

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected]. 

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above. 

Helen Panos is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience in public schools. She began Dynamis Learning 9 years ago, which is a K-12 nationwide tutoring/SAT/ACT Prep, college application assistance, and essay writing company. Most recently, the company has added Executive Functioning Coaching as well. With Helen’s depth of expertise, she is able to provide personalized support and solutions for academic success. She has up to 20 tutors on staff, and these educators have various specialties.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• How to catch small gaps before they turn into bigger problems

• Tips on when to check in after report cards, testing, or conferences

• When to review grades, test scores, and assignments 

• Ideas for choosing 1–2 focus areas and adding supports to finish strong

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected]. 

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above. 

Meisha Marshall is the founder of Renew Mindset Coaching, where she helps parents who grew up with divorce create more closeness, steadiness, and emotional safety in their relationships. Her work focuses on the everyday moments, miscommunications, shut-downs, and small disconnects that leave couples feeling tired and alone, even when they care deeply. Meisha offers practical, realistic tools that help relationships feel lighter, more connected, and easier to stay in. 

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• How parents’ relationship dynamics impact kids’ emotional safety, confidence, and behavior
  

• Common communication patterns couples unintentionally pass down to children
  

• How to model healthy conflict, repair, and connection in front of kids
  

• Practical tools for building calmer, more emotionally safe relationships at home

You can reach Meisha at [email protected]. You can also find her on her website at Renewmindset.com. Her social media handles are https://www.instagram.com/renewmindsetcoaching and https://www.facebook.com/renewmindsetcoaching. You can also find out more by subscribing to her newsletter at www.renewmindset.com. 

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected].

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above. 

Nicole Rolon-Caro started her career in special education, working with students who were often labeled as “unmotivated,” “defiant,” or “emotional,” when in reality they were struggling with regulation, communication, and feeling misunderstood. Over time, she saw how quickly behaviors escalated when students didn’t have the tools—or language—to explain what was happening internally. That experience led her to create Emerging Adulthood Consulting. She helps students understand why they react the way they do and how to build skills that lead to more independence and confidence. Just as importantly, she supports parents in learning how to respond differently—so home doesn’t feel like a constant cycle of reminders, shutdowns, or power struggles. 

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

• How to recognize when behavior is really emotional regulation or executive functioning challenges
  

• Ways parents can support neurodivergent kids without escalating conflict or power struggles
  

• Tools to help teens and young adults build independence, communication, and self-awareness
  

• How families can move from frustration to clarity, connection, and confidence

You can reach Nicole at [email protected]. Her website is www.emergingadulthoodtx.com. You can also find her on all social media channels on her LinkTree-  https://linktr.ee/NicoleRolonCaro. She invites parents to schedule a free discovery call to talk through their child’s needs and determine whether coaching is the right next step. Book your call today: https://www.emergingadulthoodtx.com/booking-calendar/free-discovery-call-with-nicole

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected].

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above. 

© 2016–Present Dynamis Learning (formerly Dynamis Learning Academy). All rights reserved.

Helen Panos is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience in public schools. She began Dynamis Learning 9 years ago, which is a K-12 nationwide tutoring/SAT/ACT Prep, college application assistance and essay writing company. Most recently, the company has added Executive Functioning Coaching as well. With Helen's depth of expertise, she is able to provide personalized support and solutions for academic success. She has up to 20 tutors on staff, and these educators have various specialties.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

● Why motivation, not ability, is often the real challenge for students

● The four drivers of motivation: relevance, autonomy, competence, and connection

● How parents can shift from control and nagging to collaboration and support

● Practical strategies to help students build confidence, engagement, and independence

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected].

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above.

Helen Panos is an accomplished educator with over 25 years of experience in public schools. She began Dynamis Learning 9 years ago, which is a K-12 nationwide tutoring/SAT/ACT Prep, college application assistance, and essay writing company. Most recently, the company has added Executive Functioning Coaching as well. With Helen's depth of expertise, she is able to provide personalized support and solutions for academic success. She has up to 20 tutors on staff, and these educators have various specialties.

On this episode of Smart Parents Successful Students, you will hear:

● How to connect goals to responsibility, independence, and long-term success

● Why goals work with executive functioning skills like planning and organization

● Practical classroom examples to support student success

● Why goal setting improves student focus, motivation, and accountability

You can find Dynamis Learning on all the social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Helen can be reached at [email protected].

To grab our FREE smart goal planner- click the link below:

https://bit.ly/3UlHowQ

To schedule a free consultation to discuss your child’s needs, including advocacy resources, academic planning, and/or obtain a tutor for your child, contact Helen Panos at 770-282-9931 or email her at the email address above.