Affect Academics is a full-service center for targeted learning interventions that propel students on to greater success in school . . . and beyond.
Affect Academics is immersed in the Universal Design for Learning framework, which advocates flexible learning environments designed to accommodate individual learning differences and profiles in children who need assistance in math, reading, or other subjects.
Founded in 2009, Affect Academics is led by Cristina Post, Ed.M., an experienced math and science teacher, adjunct professor, and the first recognized Educational Therapist in Maine. We have dedicated classroom facilities in South Freeport, Maine, to serve students from area schools, homeschoolers, and children and their families referred by educators, speech therapists, vision therapists, occupational therapists, and others. We also now offer virtual services to students from all over New England.
Cristina Post, EdM, ET/P is an experienced math and science teacher and the only professional level educational therapist in the state of Maine. She has taught every grade from K-12, and since 2006 has been working as a math specialist with an emphasis on middle school math, including curriculum design.
Cristina has also taught at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts, where she facilitated a graduate-level course for public school teachers on Universal Design for Learning with CAST.org.
She has presented her research on the cognitive effects of math anxiety at Harvard Graduate School of Education, to the Association of Educational Therapists, and to the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England, and she has also given talks at schools throughout New England, both public and private, on the relevance of recent research in neuroscience to education.
Cristina is a certified Professional level educational therapist with the Association of Educational Therapists, holds a Master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a K-8 Waldorf teaching certificate from Antioch New England Graduate School, and a bachelor’s in genetics and creative writing from Cornell University, summa cum laude.
Cristina specializes in understanding how education can support healthy brain development and is available for both online and in person educational therapy, as well as educational testing for reading, writing, math, and executive functioning.
She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Association of Educational Therapists.
Affect Academics is rooted in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which advocates flexible learning environments to accommodate individual learning differences. Far from mere homework help or tutoring, Affect Academics seeks to create a comprehensive support plan for students that includes in-session work, at-home strategies, and whenever possible, in-school strategies.
Therapeutic education recognizes the central role of emotion in learning. Happier, empowered students learn more effectively and enjoy better long-term outcomes.
The children we serve are often experiencing a mismatch with their current learning environments, resulting in diagnoses of LD, ADHD, or emotional upset such as anxiety. We not only help them with their academics, we also give them coping skills that they can apply on a daily basis.
Our approach is to observe and evaluate students from an abilities perspective. Once we understand a child’s strengths, we can identify specific coping skills he or she needs and collaborate with parents, teachers, and others to design a comprehensive plan to support learning at home, in school, and in our academic support sessions.
Our goal is for students to experience lasting change in their cognitive capabilities. Children who understand their learning styles from a strengths-based perspective go on to become effective lifelong learners.
Ashley Smith is a writer with over five years of experience tutoring clients both young and old. She graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in Spanish. She gained a passion for children’s literacy while working in the children’s section at Patten Free Library. There, she helped design and organize the annual summer reading program as well as started and led “A Mighty Girl Book Club,” which focused on female empowerment in narratives for young readers. Before the pandemic, she worked at SpinOff Studio as a writing mentor for adults with intellectual disabilities, tutoring them in spelling and grammar and helping them find their voices through short- and long-form writing. Ashley is also a freelance writer with over 70 pieces of poetry and short fiction published in indie anthologies both in print and online.
Ash is currently offering online academic support for reading and writing. Along with being a gifted writer, she is trained in the Barton reading program, an Orton Gillingham approach to reading intervention. She is also available for college essay writing support.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys reading, origami, and walking her dog. She lives in Brunswick with her Jack Russell Terrier/ Dachshund mix, her two cats, and her very old pet frog.
Ashley Syler is thrilled to be part of
the Affect team as Office Manager. You’ll find her working behind the scenes eagerly supporting families, staff and the Affect Academics mission.
Ashley graduated from Colby College with a degree in International Studies, French and Business. She quickly realized upon graduation that her true passion was working with and supporting children. She went on to teach English at elementary schools in Paris, France, coach youth ski racing and teach in a daycare setting. Ashley has found great joy and fulfillment in each of these roles and is proud to once again support children in reaching their potential here at Affect.
Ashley currently resides in Durham with her husband, 3 young children and 9 chickens (and counting!). In her spare time, you can find Ashley quilting, running or restoring her 18th century home.
