Carolyn McWilliams, M.A., Educational Consultant

Carolyn served as Founder and Head of Bridges Academy from 1994-2003, an independent secondary school whose mission is to serve twice exceptional students, students who are both gifted and have learning disabilities.  After her work at Bridges, Carolyn co-founded The Cartim Group with Tim Urban in 2005.  In 2008, she returned to her private educational therapy practice to devote more time and energy to her students and families.  Carolyn has an office at Launch Education and plays an integral role in the Launch team, consulting on educational development and learning issues. 

Carolyn's private education therapy and consulting practice, Educational Support Services, LLC, helps students, parents, and schools deal with gifted students with learning challenges.

Carolyn has a rich and impressive background in education.  She established the Johns Hopkins Center for Academically Talented Youth (CTY) summer commuter program held at the University of California Los Angeles and served as parent liaison for the CTY to the press and larger community. Carolyn has been a classroom teacher in both Goleta Union and Los Angeles Unified School Districts. She was LAUSD Teacher of the Year, was one of five finalists for California Teacher of the Year, and was given an Outstanding Educator Award by the Los Angeles Times. During her tenure in LAUSD, she designed and implemented a non-graded 3,4,5 classroom designed to meet the needs of diverse learners. She has published curriculum and articles in the areas of special education, social studies, English, educational computing, ESL, multi-cultural education, and classroom organization. She regularly presents at conferences on topics related to curriculum, instruction, classroom organization, gifted students, and special needs populations. Ms. McWilliams received her B.A. and M.A. and became a Ph.D. candidate at UCSB.