#129

Discover "The Key to Unlocking Your Child’s Full Potential 🎓" in this insightful episode of the Homeschool Yo Kids podcast. Host Jae is joined by the incredible cofounders of Growing Nurtured Minds—Dr. Maria Diana, an educational therapist; Gladys, a nationally accredited school psychologist; and Nicole Soto, a social worker and certified yoga instructor. Together, they share their expertise on empowering students, fostering a growth mindset, and reimagining what learning looks like for children and families.

Explore creative ways to simplify the homeschool journey, address challenges in traditional education systems, and nurture holistic growth for every child. From social-emotional learning to individualized support for parents and students, this episode dives deep into building a supportive learning environment that ensures student success.

Learn how Growing Nurtured Minds combines cognitive, emotional, and educational perspectives to create personalized programs that address the whole child. Discover their innovative services, such as virtual and in-person assessments, executive functioning coaching, and even integrated yoga classes designed to meet the unique needs of every student.

https://www.growingnurturedminds.com/

Nicole Soto

Nicole Soto is a first-generation mother with three children who has a deep love and passion for working with children. A licensed social worker in New Jersey, currently pending licensure, Nicole was born and raised in New Jersey and is committed to creating therapeutic environments that support the emotional well-being of children. She has over 15 years of experience working with diverse communities, children, families, and schools. Nicole has partnered with several organizations to provide resources to schools and families, furthering her impact in the community.

Nicole’s professional background includes in-home therapy, where she worked with children and families using the wraparound model to address their needs. She has organized multiple events throughout New Jersey to raise awareness of mental health and improve access to community resources. Nicole’s dog, Millie, a Mini Schnauzer, will soon be certified by Pet Partners to assist in therapy sessions.

Gladys Owusu-Broni

Gladys Owusu-Broni is a dedicated Ghanaian-American school psychologist, born and raised in New Jersey. Her upbringing instilled in her a profound appreciation for diversity, resilience, and the transformative power of education. As a first-generation professional, Gladys is committed to fostering supportive environments where children can excel academically, emotionally, and socially.

Currently, Gladys serves as a school psychologist at a K-8 charter school. In this role, she collaborates with students, families, and educators to address a broad spectrum of needs. Demonstrating her commitment to holistic student development, Gladys recently partnered with colleagues to design and implement a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)curriculum and school systems modeled on the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports(NJTSS).

Maria Diana

Maria Diana, Ph.D., LDT-C, OG-T, has dedicated the past 18 years to serving K–12 students in New Jersey public and private schools. She earned her Doctor of Education in Teaching, Learning, Leadership, & Curriculum in 2020 from Montclair State University, where her groundbreaking research focused on lifelong learning challenges, the interplay between learning difficulties and cognitive function, and comprehensive diagnostic assessments.

Her experiences include guiding children, their teachers, and parents through the challenges posed by various learning disabilities, including those often co-occurring with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Anxiety. Driven by a passion for fostering resilience and a lifelong love of learning, Maria employs a unique, multisensory approach tailored to individual needs.