In the Spring of 2014, Nancy Harvey, M.Ed, made the difficult decision to resign from her position as a traditional 4th-grade teacher. She was convinced that there had to be a better way to teach, especially for those students who learned differently. After much research the answer presented itself; The Harvey Homeschool.
At this tutoring center, she was able to create a concierge approach to teaching by devising individual education plans, thereby accommodating the different learning styles of each student. Word spread, praising her work, and her classroom grew and grew until she decided to establish The Harvey Academy in 2018. By becoming a school recognized by the state of Florida, Harvey Academy could now offer all state-funded scholarships.
As this private school grew, Nancy and her staff took on the challenging task of pursuing accreditation with the Florida Council of Independent Schools, (FCIS). In the Fall of 2023, they succeeded in attaining this prestigious status.
Nancy’s current pursuit is a partnership with Dr. Nora Wall and EduCalc Learning. This endeavor offers online courses designed for students with the diagnosis of dyscalculia or dyslexia. These courses will be offered nationwide to students who attend a school or homeschool situation that cannot accommodate their neuro-diverse learning style. Nancy and Nora look forward to helping as many students as possible who need to be recognized for their atypical ability to learn and not just their diagnostic label.
Tricia Frigo is a seasoned professional with expertise in branding, marketing, startups, new product development, and intellectual property strategy.
She specializes in leveraging a proprietary research methodology to analyze the cognitive decision-making processes of consumers, encompassing both left- and right-brain functions.
In 2014, she founded and successfully led two startup ventures. One of her products was featured on HSN in collaboration with a celebrity chef, while the other secured distribution in major grocery chains and big-box retailers across the United States.
In 2017, Tricia transitioned to Turtle River Montessori, where she served as the Director of Marketing and taught Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking. She also contributed as a judge for the prestigious Diamond Challenge, a global high school entrepreneurship competition hosted by the University of Delaware.
Tricia is currently Specification Director at Orion Integrated Systems, a marketing rep firm that represents best-in-class brands in home automation for luxury custom homes in the following industries: intelligent lighting, controls, shades, audio and energy management.
Tricia, a native of Chicago, earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and MBA at the University of Florida. Tricia is a proud single mom to four amazing entrepreneurial sons.
Connect with Tricia on LinkedIn
Interview questions:
Q1: What inspired you to leave traditional teaching and start The Harvey Academy? Could you share the moment when you realized there was a better way to teach students with different learning styles?
Q2: The Harvey Academy has a unique approach to education, especially for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Can you explain how your concierge approach and individualized education plans work in practice?
Q3: How does The Harvey Academy create an environment that accommodates both traditional learners and students with learning differences? What kind of tools or methods are used to support diverse learning styles?
Q4: The journey to gaining accreditation with the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) is a significant achievement. Can you talk about the challenges you faced and what this accreditation means for the future of The Harvey Academy?
Q5: You’re now partnering with Dr. Nora Wall and EduCalc Learning to provide online courses for students with dyscalculia or dyslexia. How do you envision this partnership helping students across the country, especially those in schools that cannot accommodate their learning needs?
Q6: In your experience, what are some common misconceptions about students with learning differences like dyslexia or dyscalculia, and how does The Harvey Academy work to dispel those myths?
Q7: How do you balance state standards and the individualized learning plans at The Harvey Academy to ensure that each student progresses academically, regardless of their learning style?
Q8: What advice would you give to parents who are struggling to find the right educational environment for their child, especially if their child has been diagnosed with a learning difference? What sets The Harvey Academy apart in helping these students succeed?
The Harvey Academy offers a concierge education where 3rd-12th grade students of all learning styles have the opportunity to succeed through tutoring, small group instruction, and a customized learning path. Learn more at TheHarveyAcademy.com.
Recent News & Events: https://www.theharveyacademy.com/upcoming-events
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