Left Behind: A Conversation with Director Anna Toomey on Dyslexia, Education, and Advocacy – Plus My Personal Reflections | Ep #68
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
Release Date: 03/14/2025
College Roadmap - Senior Year: Execution & Decision-Making
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
Senior year is finally here—and according to Sarah Bergin, Director of College Consulting at Evolved Education, this is where clarity, strategy, and strong decision-making truly matter. While many families think senior year is only about applications, Sarah reminds listeners that it’s about much more: managing deadlines, navigating multiple application portals, completing financial aid steps, and choosing the best-fit college where a student can truly thrive. She emphasizes the importance of building a balanced college list, maintaining strong grades, and finishing with integrity. Essays...
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College Roadmap - Junior Year: Turning Strategy into Action
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
Junior year is often described as the most stressful year of high school — but it does not have to be. In this episode, Sarah Bergin, Director of College Consulting at Evolved Education Company, walks families through how to turn strategy into action during this pivotal year. She explains why junior year carries significant weight in college admissions and how students can demonstrate academic readiness through strong grades and appropriate rigor — without sacrificing balance. Sarah breaks down the importance of building thoughtful school lists, approaching testing execution with...
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College Roadmap - Sophomore Year: Getting Strategic
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
In this episode, Sarah Bergin, Director of College Consulting at Evolved Education Company, explains why sophomore year is one of the most underestimated — yet strategically important — years in the college admissions journey. While freshman year is about adjustment and junior year gets most of the attention, sophomore year is when colleges begin to see patterns, consistency, and emerging direction. Sarah walks families through the importance of academic stabilization, intentional course selection, early testing insight, leadership development, and thoughtful positioning. She emphasizes...
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College Roadmap - Freshman Year: Building the Foundation
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
Freshman year is often dismissed as “just the beginning,” but in this episode, Sarah Bergin, Director of College Consulting at Evolved Education, explains why ninth grade quietly sets the tone for growth throughout high school. Rather than chasing perfection, Sarah encourages students and parents to focus on building strong habits, confidence, and thoughtful exploration. Freshman year is about adjustment, resilience, and setting a foundation academically and socially. Colleges are not looking for polished resumes from 14-year-olds — they’re looking for evidence of growth, curiosity,...
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The Complete College Roadmap
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
The college admissions process feels overwhelming — not because it’s impossible, but because most families don’t understand how it’s structured. In this foundational episode of Be Evolved, we break down the complete roadmap to college admissions — including the five core components colleges evaluate (transcript, extracurriculars, testing, writing, and recommendations) and the five phases families move through from early planning to college readiness. This isn’t about cramming more activities onto a resume. It’s about building a student story with intention. You’ll learn: ...
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Plan, Don’t Panic: The 6–8 Month Blueprint for ISEE + SHSAT Success
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
In this episode of Be Evolved, Mary Miele is joined by Amy Nathan, Director of Student Services, and Becky Rebeck, Director of Assessment, for a thoughtful and practical conversation about two of the most important admissions tests students face in New York City: the ISEE and the SHSAT. Together, they walk families through what these exams really measure, why starting 6–8 months early makes a major difference, and how families can follow a clear prep timeline — from academic assessment and foundational skill-building to strategy, stamina, and full-length practice. The discussion...
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Summer by Design: Crafting a Pre-College Plan for Grades 6–12
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
In this episode of BE EVOLVED, Mary lays out a clear, step-by-step roadmap for building a bespoke summer plan that actually moves the needle for students in grades 6–12. You’ll learn why summer experiences matter for growth, skills, and college admissions; how to complete a smart intake (interests, logistics, budget); and our three-step method — What will you do? How will you do it? How will you apply? Mary covers program scouting (from STEM and arts to service and international options), quick résumé wins, and how to tackle common application essays. She also spotlights paid work,...
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Boarding School Interview Prep with Sarah: Tips for Parents & Students
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
Getting ready for a boarding school interview can feel overwhelming — for both parents and students. In this episode of the Be Evolved Podcast, Mary sits down with Sarah, Evolved Education’s Boarding School Specialist, to walk families through the essential steps of interview preparation. Together, they discuss: How parents can authentically share their child’s story and values. The most common parent and student interview questions — and how to answer them with confidence. Real examples of strong vs. weak responses. Practical strategies for students to showcase curiosity, character,...
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Setting Up New Routines with Becky Reback | Ep #74
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
Join Becky Reback as she shares practical strategies and expert insights on creating effective back-to-school routines that set students — and families — up for a smoother, more successful school year. Have a question or comment? I'd love to hear from you. You can reach out anytime at . Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. For the full transcript of today's episode along with our terms, conditions, and disclaimers and privacy policies, visit the Evolved Education website at: © 2021 - 2025...
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Back to School with Amy Nathan — Strategies for a Smooth Transition at Every Age | Bonus
Be Evolved: Empowering Parents and Educators to Help Students Succeed
In this special bonus episode, educator and Director of Student Services, Amy Nathan joins us to share practical, age-specific strategies to help families navigate the back-to-school season with confidence. Whether you have a toddler entering preschool, an elementary student building routines, a middle schooler juggling responsibilities, or a high schooler managing academics and college prep — this episode offers actionable tips you can implement today to support a positive, calm, and connected transition. Tune in to learn how to create routines, support executive functioning, encourage...
info_outlineIn this episode of Be Evolved, I sit down with Anna Toomey, director of the documentary Left Behind, to discuss the realities of dyslexia, the systemic challenges in education, and the urgent need for advocacy. We explore the stories behind the film, the impact on students and families, and what needs to change to support all learners. Stay tuned until the end, where I share my personal reflections after watching this powerful documentary.
Referenced Resources:
- Film "Left Behind" - https://www.leftbehindthefilm.com
- Decoding Dyslexia - https://www.decodingdyslexia.net/
- International Dyslexia Association - https://dyslexiaida.org/
- Understood.org - https://www.understood.org/
- Advocates for Children - https://advocatesforchildren.org/
- Literacy Academy Collective - https://www.literacyacademycollective.org/
If you’d like to dive deeper into specific strategies, please join me on SuperCast. As a subscriber, for just $5 a month, you'll get access to my private weekly feed where I share exclusive ideas and answer audience questions about learning and admissions. Go here to join! https://beevolved.supercast.com/
Have a question or comment? I'd love to hear from you. You can reach out anytime at admin@evolveded.com.
Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!
For the full transcript of today's episode along with our terms, conditions, and disclaimers and privacy policies, visit the Evolved Education website at: https://evolvededucationcompany.com/resources/podcast/
© 2021 - 2025 Mary Miele