Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanna Trombetta
Hi Shanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an educator. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Special Education and Psychology from Marist College, I set off on my journey. My first teaching position was in Hawaii, where I led a 5/6 Special Education/Inclusion classroom, fully immersing myself in Hawaiian culture. I then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and taught 3rd and 4th grade while pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology.
Through my graduate studies, I developed a keen interest in understanding how children learn, particularly focusing on neural pathways and targeted assessment. I continued teaching in Boston before relocating to Los Angeles to teach third grade at a private independent school. In every classroom, I dedicated extra time to work with struggling students, developing multi-sensory pathways to enhance their learning and build their confidence.
This passion led me to a consulting firm in Los Angeles, where I trained teachers in effective reading and writing instruction. The onset of the pandemic brought new challenges. With my oldest daughter starting Kindergarten via Zoom, I witnessed firsthand the struggles of learning to read in a virtual environment. This experience intensified my dedication to supporting students with learning challenges, prompting me to pursue an Educational Therapy certificate from UC Riverside and trainings in Orton-Gillingham and other structured literacy programs.
Today, I am a Professional Educational Therapist and founder of Trombetta Education Group, a boutique private practice in Santa Monica. My team of Educational Therapists and Learning Specialists work with children who have dyslexia and other language-based disgraphica or slow processing. We are committed to providing personalized support to help each child thrive academically and gain confidence in their abilities.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Achieving my dream of building a private practice has been incredibly fulfilling, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Initially, I aspired to become a school administrator to create a culture of learning for all students. However, my practice has allowed me to develop a smaller version of that dream. Moving and living in various parts of the country from Hawaii to Georgia, then Boston, and finally settling in Los Angeles required me to adjust my professional expectations. Establishing a practice while raising two young children has also been a significant challenge, but pursuing a career that I love has made it all worthwhile. Additionally, having a flexible schedule has allowed me to balance being both a mom and an Educational Therapist.
As one of very few Black Educational Therapists on the Westside of Los Angeles has also presented its own challenges. I have worked diligently to ensure that people recognize my qualifications, backed by more than two decades of experience educating children with learning disabilities.
As you know, we’re big fans of Trombetta Education Group. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Trombetta Education Group is dedicated to nurturing children into confident and capable learners who believe in themselves and recognize their unique and special gifts. We are committed to ensuring that each child is seen, loved, and respected throughout their time with us. Students work with an individualized learning plan tailored to their needs—there is no one-size-fits-all approach here! We work with children that have Dyslexia, AD/HD/ Dysgraphia, Dysgraphia, and Executive Function. The most important part of the job is watching a child unlock their unique gifts, develop self-esteem, and achieve academic goals.
As a brand, I am most proud of how well I know each child and the families we work with. This knowledge allows us to help children believe in themselves and recognize their true superpowers as learners. I want families to know that by working with us, we will implement research-based programs that yield results, enabling children to thrive both in school and beyond. As a small Educational Therapy practice, we can hire the highest caliber of teachers to ensure the best education possible.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is nurturing children into confident and capable learners who believe in themselves and recognize their unique gifts. Ensuring each child is seen, loved, and respected, we provide individualized learning plans tailored to their specific needs, especially for those with Dyslexia, AD/HD, Dysgraphia, and Executive Function challenges. The most rewarding part of the job is watching children unlock their unique gifts, develop self-esteem, and achieve academic goals. I am proud of how well I know each child and their family, which allows us to effectively support their learning journey. By implementing research-based programs that yield tangible results and hiring the highest caliber of teachers, we ensure the best education possible, enabling children to thrive both in school and beyond. Staying connected to children and understanding how to best serve their needs is essential. It is also important to advocate for those students who need a voice. All children deserve to learn in a way that aligns with how they learn best, and it is my job to ensure we unlock that potential.
Pricing:
- $200/session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trombettatherapy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/trombetta_education
- Other: www.shanna@trombettatherapy.com
