Phyllis Worthley has been in the
education world for 40 years as a teacher and guidance counselor. Four years
ago she noticed that there was a need to help families and students make
informed decisions about college, the military and what careers might be best
for their futures. The new retiree is ready to help clients from sixth grade to
high school graduates with College Knowledge LLC, college guidance counseling
equipped for success.
“It’s of extreme importance to serve
families to seek higher education and transition from high school,” said
Worthley. “I work with them to make sure they understand why they’re going and
what their passion is.”
Whether it’s the military, a 2-year
school or a 4-year school, Worthley will help them find the right fit and
transition them into the next step. Most of the students need help with college
planning. “If a child is not focused on themselves, it’s harder. All the parent
knows is that I want my kid to go to college,” she said. The colleges need to
fit the family as far as budget and a good school. “It’s not the best school
unless it’s the best fit for your child,” Worthley said.
She uses many tools for narrowing down
college searches, the first being College Board.org, where the students can do
a demographic search for schools that meet what they think they want. She gives
the parents and the students a check-off list about their fears and concerns
moving forward. After that Worthley checks out the college to make sure it
offers the right major, matches transcripts and makes sure that the student and
family step foot on the campus before making a decision. “They don’t go to the
college if they haven’t stepped on the campus,” she said.
Worthley has her bachelor’s degree from
the University of Maine at Presque Isle, a Masters in counseling from UMaine at
Orono and a Certificate of Advanced Study from USM in leadership in computer
education. She is prepared to help all students from the average to the ones
who want to play Division I or II sports. She also guarantees at least one
scholarship per child that can help cover the cost of her help, and she helps
the families figure out financial aid and award letters from the colleges.
“This is a very individualized service.
They get what they need,” she said. Most students will meet with her once a
week, then every other week and then once a month to check in. She helps with
job applications, military selection and getting the students off to college.
“I hold their hands right to the end when they get their acceptance and award
letters,” she said. She helps families decipher the award letters and will even
call colleges to see if they can do better than what they’ve offered.
“One of her greatest strengths is
staying abreast of the information while utilizing the available technology to
organize and present accurate information while synthesizing the difficult
transition process for her clients,” she said.
“I so respect high school guidance
counselors. They’re overwhelmed with testing and crisis’. I have no trouble
working late at night or getting up early in the morning, she said. “Some get
lost in the shuffle,” she added. It’s those kids she can help the most.
“Community colleges are the best buy in
the State of Maine,” she said. “In state Maine Schools have great offerings.”
Community college tuition is a common theme in this presidential election, she
said. The thought is to make community colleges free.
Some parents do not have a college
degree or know how to prepare a child for college. “These people just don’t
know there is something else,” she said.
College Knowledge LLC offers time.
That’s the biggest thing, she said. It also offers organizational skills and
time management guidance. She teaches her clients how to keep track of everyday
activities. Anxiety is also a problem
she sees now. She can take the anxiety out of preparing for college.
For middle school students, Worthley
helps them choose their classes, encourages them to participate in activities
and figure out how to help them build leadership skills. She also does
personality work to help them get to know themselves, she said.
The fees range depending on what work is
needed. Worthley asks for half up front and then the second half when they are
officially in the school, gotten the job or gone to the military. She meets at
public places. She lives in Windham, but is willing to travel as she likes to
work face to face with her clients.
For more information on the company and
services, visit www.collegeknowledgellc.us.
She can be reached at pwpworthley@gmail.com
or call 720-0598.
No comments:
Post a Comment