Our Team

Nicole Connell

Girls Shine Bright Program Director

Hi! I'm Nicole Connell, an Educational Therapist and Mentor. I design unique educational experiences and support programs for children who learn best outside of the box. I also support pre-teen and teen girls and lead Girls Shine Bright Leadership Circles. 

At the core, I support children in being seen for who they are, honored for their uniqueness, and supported in their growth.

One of the biggest things that breaks my heart is that this generation of kids and teens are more stressed than ever with increasingly high rates of anxiety and depression. This hits home for me because my teen years and early 20s were incredibly challenging. I grew up in San Jose, California and the pressure to succeed and maintain perfect grades was enormous. I was able to achieve this for the most part, but it came at a big cost to my wellbeing. 

I was exhausted and burnt out by the age of 17. I was so used to figuring out what the teacher wanted that I couldn't tap into who I really was and what I wanted when it came time to choose a career path. Something had to change and I immersed myself in wellness practices including yoga, dance and mindfulness to find relief from the pressure of my schooling experience. I eventually became a kids certified yoga teacher as well as a women's dance teacher. I traveled around the world and saw that there were many different perspectives available than the ones I grew up with. Specifically I questioned how our culture views education and what the point of it is if it is leaving children and teens stressed out in the process.

To me, true education is about more than just academic achievement; it's about attuning to the needs of the whole child, nurturing each child's unique gifts and helping children to not just learn well but be well. 

My love of kids and desire to help them thrive led me to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development, a Master’s Degree in Education with a thesis on self-compassion and a Certificate in Educational Therapy. I draw upon my background as a day camp counselor and director, Montessori assistant, kindergarten teacher, and Educational Therapist to create a nurturing, transformative and fun experience for the children that I work with.

Who Do I Work With?

I design unique educational experiences and support for families with a child for whom traditional schooling does not work.

The work I provide for these families is deeply holistic and co-created with the child to meet that child's unique needs.

I specialize in working with preteen and teenage girls who have learning differences and struggle with their mental health.

I also lead Girls Shine Bright Leadership Circles and mentor pre-teen and teen girls who want to build confidence and feel supported while navigating the many transitions of adolescence.​

If your child is struggling in school or with a learning difference and you are deeply seeking support for your child, take a look at some of my articles HERE, and if you are called to learn how we may be able to potentially work together to support your child in getting the support he or she needs to truly learn and succeed – just as they are – then contact me. Let’s talk. 

If your child is transitioning out of the traditional school system or you are already homeschooling and you're seeking support, check out my personalized education page. If you would like to learn more about how I can help your child, then contact me. Let's talk.

If you have a daughter who is wanting to explore more leadership and holistic development of herself as a young woman, check out my Mentoring work and Girls Shine Bright programs. If you are called to learn how we may be able to potentially work together to support your child, then contact me at www.nicoleconnell.com​

"Nicole's positive attitude, creativity and belief in a holistic approach to educate the whole child is such an inspiration. She's a breath of fresh air!"

- Mom of an 11 year old