Adena Young, Ph.D.

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Adena Young, Ph.D.

About

About

Hi, I'm Adena

I am a school psychologist and math teacher based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I support middle and high school students with dyscalculia, ADHD, and other math learning challenges, and help parents, educators, and schools to create effective support systems for struggling math students.

I believe in creating positive and meaningful learning experiences for all math students

I believe in creating positive and meaningful learning experiences for all math students

My Philosophy

All kids can learn math

Students with learning disabilities are just as capable of learning math as neurotypical and mathematically advanced students. When given the instruction and accommodations they need, it’s possible for ALL students to develop deep mathematical understanding and become strong mathematical thinkers and problem solvers.

Neurodiverse students need intentional instruction

Students with math learning disabilities struggle predominantly because their brains work differently than other students. They learn best when we teach to their cognitive strengths, and accommodate and build skills to address their brain-based challenges.

A strong mathematical foundation is key

Math is a subject that builds on itself, especially in middle and high school. Students need to start with a solid understanding of middle school math in order to have a strong foundation that will support them in more advanced levels of mathematics.

Whole-child support is essential

It’s extremely common for students with math learning disabilities and challenges to feel stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. It’s important to me to support students’ emotional well-being and help them to grow their confidence as they learn math.

My Background

I am a…

School psychologist

I’ve worked in schools across the San Francisco Bay Area, provided psychological services to children at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, and worked in both public and non-public school settings.  I’ve also worked as a learning specialist for Black Pine Circle School in Berkeley, CA, and a preschool teacher in Santa Monica and San Francisco, CA.

Math teacher

I started teaching math at age 16 when my local school district hired me to be a math tutor.  I went on to join UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program’s (ATDP) math department as a teaching assistant, lead instructor, department chair, study lab coordinator, and math club organizer. My favorite courses to teach were Foundations of Algebra and Introduction to Geometric Thinking.

Trainer of trainers

I love teaching teachers!  I have trained educators in my roles as a school psychologist and math educator at ATDP, been a lecturer for UC Berkeley’s School Psychology program, and I continue to give guest lectures to Bay Area colleges, universities, and educational organizations on how to teach and support students with math learning disabilities.

Published researcher

As a doctoral student and post-doctoral scholar, I studied how  factors like self-efficacy and metacognition impact students’ mathematical thinking and performance.  In addition to my dissertation, I have published in the Journal of Advanced Academics and Gifted Child Quarterly and presented research papers at the national conventions of the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Association for Gifted Children.

Mindfulness practitioner

I have practiced insight meditation since 2011 and spent over 30 days on silent meditation retreats.  I love to use mindfulness practices to help students who are experiencing stress and anxiety while doing math, and have taught many students and teachers how to meditate.

My Credentials

Education

  • Ph.D. Education (School Psychology)
University of California, Berkeley
  • M.A. Education (School Psychology)
University of California, Berkeley
  • B.S. Neuroscience
University of California, Los Angeles

Licenses

  • California Licensed Educational Psychologist
License #3475
  • California Clear Pupil Personnel Services Credential
w/ School Psychology Authorization

My Philosophy

All kids can learn math

Students with learning disabilities are just as capable of learning math as neurotypical and mathematically advanced students. When given the instruction and accommodations they need, it’s possible for ALL students to develop deep mathematical understanding and become strong mathematical thinkers and problem solvers.

Neurodiverse students need intentional instruction

Students with math learning disabilities struggle predominantly because their brains work differently than other students. They learn best when we teach to their cognitive strengths, and accommodate and build skills to address their brain-based challenges.

A strong mathematical foundation is key

Math is a subject that builds on itself, especially in middle and high school. Students need to start with a solid understanding of middle school math in order to have a strong foundation that will support them in more advanced levels of mathematics.

Whole-child support is essential

It’s extremely common for students with math learning disabilities and challenges to feel stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. It’s important to me to support students’ emotional well-being and help them to grow their confidence as they learn math.

My Background

I am a…

School psychologist

I’ve worked in schools across the San Francisco Bay Area, provided psychological services to children at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, and worked in both public and non-public school settings.  I’ve also worked as a learning specialist for Black Pine Circle School.

Math teacher

I started teaching math at age 16 when my local school district hired me to be a math tutor.  I went on to join UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program’s (ATDP) math department as a teaching assistant, lead instructor, department chair, study lab coordinator, and math club organizer.

Published researcher

As a doctoral student and post-doctoral scholar, I studied how  factors like self-efficacy and metacognition impact students’ mathematical thinking and performance.  In addition to my dissertation, I have published in the Journal of Advanced Academics and Gifted Child Quarterly and presented research papers at the national conventions of the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Association for Gifted Children.

Trainer of trainers

I love teaching teachers!  I have trained educators in my roles as a school psychologist and math educator at ATDP, been a lecturer for UC Berkeley’s School Psychology program, and I continue to give guest lectures to Bay Area colleges, universities, and educational organizations on how to teach and support students with math learning disabilities.

Mindfulness practitioner

I have practiced insight meditation since 2011 and spent over 30 days on silent meditation retreats.  I love to use mindfulness to help students who are experiencing stress and anxiety while doing math, and have taught many students and teachers how to meditate.

My Credentials

Education

  • Ph.D. Education (School Psychology)
University of California, Berkeley
  • M.A. Education (School Psychology)
University of California, Berkeley
  • B.S. Neuroscience
University of California, Los Angeles

Licenses

  • California Licensed Educational Psychologist
License #3475
  • California Clear Pupil Personnel Services Credential
w/ School Psychology Authorization

Work With Me

Support for Students

Psychoeducational Math Support 

Individualized support for middle and high school students with learning disabilities & challenges
Learn more

TRAINING for Educators

Online Course for Math Teachers

Learn 15 concrete strategies that teachers and parents can use to support struggling math students
Start the course

Support for educators

Consultation for Teachers & Schools

Consultation and training for middle and high school math educators and administrators
Contact me

Let's Get in Touch!

Contact Adena

Let's Get in Touch!

Contact Adena

Adena Young, Ph.D.

Licensed Educational Psychologist & Math Learning Specialist

Contact me

Adena Young, Ph.D.

Licensed Educational Psychologist & Math Learning Specialist

Contact me

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