Alina holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Bridgeport and started as a middle school mathematics and bilingual teacher in Connecticut. She later taught and mentored students at an innovative middle school in New York City with a reputation for engaging academically troubled students. Alina also founded two programs while serving her students in the classroom. One, a widely popular after-school arts program. The program served at-risk students and filled the need for a productive and engaging alternative to the sports programs typically offered. Alina also co-created a program that seeks scholarships to elite boarding schools for deserving and underserved students. Alina’s teaching approach has always been to empower her students in the ways that best fit their individual needs, despite their circumstances.

Since moving to California over ten years ago, Alina has worked with many wonderfully bright, creative, and struggling students. Their needs vary with learning challenges such as attention deficits, dyslexia, dyscalculia, executive function deficits, trauma, as well as, newcomers/English language learners. Through the process of educational therapy, her goal is for each of her students to find success using strategies that fit their unique learning profiles and to develop into confident and independent lifelong learners.

Alina received her post-graduate training in Education Therapy at Holy Names University. She is also trained in a multitude of instructional methods for mathematics, reading, writing, and executive functioning skills. She uses a variety of evidence-based approaches of instruction depending on each student’s unique learning profile. Some of the programs she is trained in include Multisensory Math, Making Math Real, Singapore Math, Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell, Drs. Peg Dawson & Richard Guare Executive Skills Coaching, The Art of Inspiring Students & The Anti-Boring Approach to Power Studying, Executive Functioning Success, and Seeing My Time, among other multi-sensory teaching approaches. Alina is also a native Spanish and English speaker.

Alina serves as a Board Member of Marin Educators in Private Practice and holds a committee member position with the Association of Educational Therapists, the national organization dedicated to promoting high standards in educational therapy practices.