CBCR's Mission

Abiding by Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy, “Tell me and I forget, teach me, and I may remember, involve me, and I learn,” Sarah Cook has been striving to create active learners within the classroom environment for the past eighteen years.

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Sarah founded College Bound Career Ready LLC (CBCR) in 2015, in order to provide families with an educated advocate as they navigate the road to college. Sarah challenges and motivates each of her students to create personalized goals as they navigate the admissions process.  Guided by well-researched philosophies and a student-centered approach, her experience has equipped her for even the most challenging of circumstances.

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Sarah has eighteen years of experience in Public Education and currently holds licenses in New York, Florida, and Massachusetts. She has taught English, Reading, and Special Education.  She has also served as a College & Career Specialist, and has been an adjunct professor of College Success. In 2022, Sarah also began work as a district consultant, through CBCR, shaping College & Career programming for grades K-12.

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At CBCR, Sarah specializes in working with families based in New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and the Foreign Service, but this list continues to lengthen as CBCR grows!  Sarah's students have earned acceptance to elite and Ivy League universities across the nation, military academies, been awarded Presidential Scholarships, Honors College admission, and even been offered exclusive seats in selective programs such as the Lyceum Scholars. 

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Sarah is dedicated to all students with whom she works, as well as their families.  Sarah aims to teach students, and their parents, how to navigate the process through regular communication and filtering of questions all funneled through student Roadmaps.  Sarah's mission is to help students navigate their choices, academics, and experiences in order to gain admission into the college or university that best suits their future aspirations. 

 

Outside of her work in college admissions consulting, Sarah has a passion for running, creating, reading, hockey, baseball, spending time with her family, and playing with her dog.  

Joslyn Giles strongly connects to Kofi Annan’s notion that “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, for every family.” Joslyn subscribes to the belief that college and career are the guiding light for helping students become successful contributing members of society.

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Joslyn has been preparing students for college, career, and citizenship for the past eleven years. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Rollins College, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Troy University, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.

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After teaching elementary school for eight years, Joslyn decided to make the jump to high school and has not looked back since. As a high school teacher-leader, Joslyn has taught Intensive Reading, served as a Dean of Students, and is entering her second year as a Graduation Coach. 

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Joslyn specializes in helping students unlock their full potential by guiding them toward colleges that suit the student’s specific needs and that are academically attainable. As a student who benefited significantly from scholarships, Joslyn understands the significance of exploring financial awards and endowments in order to make post-secondary education affordable. Understanding the complexities of college admissions and the challenges that the process presents to students and families, she strives to simplify the process for those whom she serves. 

Kerri earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Binghamton University. Prior to joining CBCR, she worked for several Fortune 500 companies including Canon USA and Citi, as well as AAA.

 

During her time at Canon, she developed an interest in education while working on several projects aimed at creating technology to assist students and educational professionals. This led to her taking a position at a trade school where she assisted students with the admissions process, financial aid, course scheduling, and more.

 

Finding the college or university that is the right fit for each individual student, based on their interests and talents, is Kerri’s passion. She enjoys getting to know her students and matching them with schools that will feel like home while preparing them for a rewarding career in their chosen field.

 

Outside of work, Kerri volunteers as a youth softball coach.  Kerri resides in upstate New York with her two daughters and two hound dogs.

Janine (she/her) has earned a Master of Education in Student Affairs Counseling from Bridgewater State University and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Janine has spent her professional career working in Academic Advising in public higher education, and she is passionate about helping students reach their academic goals. She has specialized in supporting students during their transition from high school to college by helping to design and implement learning communities at the college level.

 

Choosing the right college or university is an important decision, and Janine is excited to work with students as they navigate the college admissions process. She empowers students to make the best academic and life decisions by encouraging self-reflection and goal-setting. 

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Janine enjoys playing ice hockey, reading, and spending time outdoors outside of work.  Janine currently resides in Massachusetts and looks forward to working with students in the New England area.

 

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Jenn began her educational journey as an honor student and Business Major at Valdosta State University in South Georgia, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.   After graduation, Jenn began a career as an Event Planner in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Marketing Analyst for IBM in Burlington, Vermont.  Although her positions in marketing solidified her networking skills and developed a creative business perspective, it lacked the passion later discovered while teaching others in a boardroom, classroom setting, and studio environment. Throughout her college and professional career, Jenn studied, practiced, and taught yoga.  Yoga was not only a passion, but a means of stress management continued education, and balance within her life.

 

In 2002 Jenn moved to Binghamton, New York, where her journey with Education began. Jenn taught yoga and stress management classes within an alternative school setting to help support GED students. With increased test-score data and successful stress-management testimonials, Jenn’s reputation for balancing educational strategies with behavioral techniques spread within the educational community. Jenn began teaching yoga within the local colleges and public schools, opening her pursuit of a Master in Education degree from Elmira College in Upstate New York.

 

Jenn has worked within the public and private school settings as a Special Education teacher, specializing in supporting students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.  While raising her four children, Jenn worked as a Behavioral Consultant to support local families, in partnership with the school districts, to build positive behavioral strategies and create teaching strategies with learning environments that support all individual students.  Her unique experience, combined with her background in yoga, has deepened her knowledge and expertise in stress management strategies, sensory integration practices, and intentional goal-setting to provide individualized support for her students. Jenn’s belief that mindfulness and intentional goal setting are the foundation of any successful professional practice and program preparation.  

As a CBCR consultant, Jenn is focused on bringing her unique college and career experience to share the benefits of intentional and mindful practice to guide individual success.  To quote Dr. Seuss, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Mindfulness within a moment of transition, such as navigating the college admissions process, can increase the value.  Working with Jenn through CBCR, she will help you to highlight your unique gifts or passions, and promote optimal success.

Dione Facey-Poitier has been passionate about education since childhood. As an immigrant and First Generation college student, Dione understood early on that college was not optional for her. At every level of schooling, Dione was fortunate to know passionate and committed individuals who provided guidance and encouragement that enabled her to persevere as she reached her goals. Through her various teachers and mentors, Dione learned never to quit, to dream beyond what lay directly before her, to embrace her creative expression, to know herself, and most importantly, to use her voice.

 

Dione holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida A&M University.  She has also earned a Master of Arts in Counselor Education and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida.

 

Dione has incorporated the pearls of wisdom from her mentors while serving countless students and families for sixteen years in public education. Dione has been a Professional School Counselor at the high school level for twelve years. Dione’s experiences as an educator and mentor taught her that all students excel when they are equipped to process and balance the conditions of their environments. Dione believes we must help youth see that personal success is interconnected with the success of others who have come before them and those who will follow. Dione works diligently to support students and their families through the college admissions process as they determine and reach the goals which will, in turn, help each individual student to manifest their dreams.

 

Dione continues to pay it forward professionally and personally as a dedicated member of various community organizations. However, Dione’s greatest joy is raising her two daughters alongside her husband, and they work to build a legacy that will continue for generations.

Felecia earned her bachelor’s degree in Cellular Biochemistry from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Master’s of Science in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven. Felecia is a scientist by education but has worked in education for over 15 years.  Felecia has dedicated her professional career to supporting young people to and through college to achieve their career and life goals. Felecia aspires to be the college admissions consultant she wishes she had when her family navigated the complex and overwhelming college admissions process and decided which college was the best option. 

 

Felecia has 11 years of experience in higher education, working in various areas such as admissions, retention, academic advising, and student success. At the University of New Haven, she was the founding Director of a First-Year Success Center and focused on supporting students in their transition to college by providing holistic coaching support and connecting students to campus resources. Felecia also served as a Director of the Student Success Center in the College of Science and Mathematics, which offered academic advising and programs to support degree completion and connect students to career-connected learning opportunities. Through these experiences, Felecia developed an understanding of the college landscape, the admissions process, and factors contributing to students' college and career success. 

 

Felecia later transitioned to a role in K-12 to help support students earlier in their educational careers, helping them prepare for success on their post-secondary paths. Felecia supports students in the final steps of the decision-making process, offering college matriculation and transitional support, developing partnerships with colleges and universities, and advising college students as they earn their degrees and obtain employment. A recent focus of Felecia’s work is building college AND career awareness in the post-secondary planning process to empower students, build their confidence, and make connections between their interests, college options, and future aspirations. Felecia loves playing matchmaker and helping students find a college and/or career that they love and meets their wants and needs. She also aims to simplify the process and alleviate some of the stress of making an informed college decision.

 

As a college admissions consultant, students and families can expect a student-centered, collaborative partnership. Felecia will break down the process for students, actively listening to stories, helping students identify assets and talents, encourage self-reflection on what is most important in a college and why, help find scholarships to finance education, provide clear and achievable action steps to move them through the process, and support students every step of the way. At the end of the process, Felecia hopes that students feel empowered in selecting the best choice for them and are 100% confident in their college decision! She will also make sure students and families are aware of the next steps to successfully matriculate to college and have a plan for connecting to campus resources and people.

 

Outside of Felecia’s work in college access and success, she enjoys watching and playing sports, reading, spending time outdoors with her family, and playing at the local playgrounds with her sons, Elijah and Noah.

Lydia is a creative and versatile educator with a passion for helping young people reach their academic and professional goals. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Linguistics from Northeastern University and a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling from Fordham University.

 

Lydia’s experience as an editor and writing consultant began in high school when her English teacher recruited her to help revise her classmates’ essays. This interest grew throughout her college years with teaching assistantships in language and literature courses and a position in the editorial department of National Geographic Learning. Upon finishing her bachelor’s degree, Lydia initially intended to pursue her master’s in teaching English as a second language but forwent an acceptance to NYU Steinhardt to explore her lifelong love of bread and pastry. Following a culinary journey that spanned from an apprenticeship in a tiny artisan cafe to baking in a Michelin 3-star kitchen, Lydia returned to the field of education years later with a unique perspective on college and career.

 

Lydia has worked in various areas of education, including college counseling, SAT/ACT tutoring, curriculum development, substitute teaching, educational publishing, and career readiness coaching. In addition to guiding current high school students through the post-secondary process, Lydia also works in an alumni success role where she continues to support high school graduates through college and beyond. Lydia employs a student-led approach to college and career exploration, providing direction and expertise as students forge paths that reflect their own interests and goals. She aims to demystify the college process for both students and families so that everyone can feel confident and prepared while having fun!

 

Outside of work, you can find Lydia making soft pretzels, taking a HIIT class, or riding her bike around New York City.

Amy considers her calling to be a “matchmaker” because of her deep belief in the power of informed decision-making when deciding on one’s postsecondary path. As a proud women’s college graduate, she knows how that decision has ultimately changed her life trajectory, allowing her to explore learning the greater world in ways she didn’t know were possible. Her core belief is that all students, regardless of who they are or where they come from, should have a postsecondary experience that allows for that same exploration and wonder.

 

Amy has spent her entire 20+ years in the professional world as an educator.  Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, she came to East Coast for college and has found those two educational experiences have informed so much of her understanding of the power of education.

 

After college, Amy started her career in education as a 3rd-grade teacher in Harlem and then moved on to recruiting college graduates to become teachers. That led to one of her most pivotal roles of founding a college access office at the Bronx Lab School, a public school in Bronx, NY; she believes in the power of education and its role in a student's life.

 

Amy oversees the college and career access programming for a K-12 charter school network to ensure all students have the best-in-class postsecondary advising to support a life of choice and fulfillment. Serving most Black and Brown students with high financial needs, she oversees and supports the college & career access programming across the network’s seven high schools and manages the network support team that supports both the access and success programming within those high schools.

 

Amy's current and previous roles have allowed her to build deep knowledge and expertise in making strong matches between student needs and interests and the vast landscape of colleges across the country, understanding how to best maximize financial aid and merit opportunities, understanding and knowing about specialized programs and majors at various institutions, and knowing the benefits of public and private universities and colleges. 

 

Amy got her B.A. in sociology at Smith College and her Master’s in Teaching from Pace University. When she’s not working, she’s spending time with her family in Jersey City, NJ, and trying out new recipes and restaurants.

Amanda has earned a Master of Science in Counseling from Fitchburg State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Westfield State University. 

 

Amanda has spent her professional career working with students and is passionate about education. Amanda has 19 years of experience working with students at both the K-12 and post-secondary levels. As an Academic Advisor, she has gained extensive knowledge and expertise within the college community.

 

As a first-generation college student, Amanda understands the complexities of not only the college admission process, but the transition from high school to college.

 

Amanda uses a strength-based approach and encourages students to make informed decisions. Her passion is working collaboratively with students and their families while providing the tools and resources needed to feel confident in their college admission process! 

 

Outside of work, you can find Amanda playing softball or golf, working on puzzles, and spending time with her dog, Bentley.

Megan attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences. While attending Seton Hall, Megan played Division 1 soccer and feels her time as a student-athlete positively impacted her educational experience.

 

Megan went on to earn a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and holds Prek-12 School Counselor certification in the state of Florida.

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Megan is an educator and advocate with a passion for helping students reach their academic and personal goals. Megan works tirelessly to serve students in a holistic manner, addressing their academic, career, and personal/social needs.

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Megan has worked as a school counselor for over ten years in elementary and high school settings. Megan has worked as a high school counselor in Lakeland, Florida, for the last seven years.

 

Megan has spent her entire professional career serving students and their families. Megan has worked with countless students and families as they navigate the daunting task of college planning. Megan assists students in navigating the college application process so students can gain admission to an institution that will help the student achieve their future goals and aspirations.

 

Megan’s former students have gained admittance into institutions such as the University of Florida, Florida State, University of Miami, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, New York University, Columbia University, Yale University, and Brown.

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Outside of Megan’s work as a school counselor, she enjoys working out, playing sports, kayaking, and, most importantly, spending time and making memories with her husband and three children, Sienna, Greyson, and Griffin.