Learning challenges and heavy workloads can be stumbling blocks for any student and can cause stress for the whole family. Students struggle to stay afloat, and parents exhaust themselves trying to address issues they may not fully understand. It’s a situation Shelley B. Smith is all too familiar with. Having worked in the Special School District of St. Louis for more than 30 years, she saw the challenges faced by parents and wanted to help. After retiring, she founded Special Solutions with her husband, Tom. “I started working with moms to really get the whole picture,” she recalls. “I knew that students could succeed; they just needed the proper tools and direction.” Ten years later, the educational consulting firm is dedicated to helping families find success with less stress.
When Special Solutions began, it was just Smith working with students in the couple’s home. The company quickly grew, and more space was needed. Fortuitously, Tom found an available space in Rock Hill, and Special Solutions moved into 9225 Manchester Road. In another few years, it expanded again, taking over a second space on the building’s second floor. With each transition, Smith remained dedicated to providing clients an inviting, home-like atmosphere. “It’s important that students feel supported and know there is no judgement,” she says. “They can learn comfortably without the usual distractions.”
As the company grew, Smith brought on more coaches, both to help her with the increasing number of clients and to cover specialty subjects. Thanks to Tom’s involvement with the Skandalaris Entrepreneurial Center at Washington University, the company had access to highly qualified students to serve as coaches from the beginning. Special Solutions now employs a staff of 30, including students from area universities, certified teachers, literacy specialists and language pathologists. Clients range from preschoolers to college students, and services offered include one-on-one tutoring, ACT/SAT prep, coaching for ADHD, organization and motivation techniques, and social and relationship skill development. “Our spectrum of services is like a tree; the different branches offer a whole-child approach,” Smith explains.
Even with a larger clientele, she still meets with every student before services begin. “I connect with them to let them know it’s their journey,” she says. “They need to understand that the process is not magic. They need to be open to approaching things differently because what they’re currently doing isn’t working.” By developing personal relationships with students, Smith helps them become advocates for their own success, a role many are initially hesitant to take. “There’s a natural tendency for students to withdraw when struggling,” Smith says. “They want to throw in the towel when they should be talking with the teacher and using other resources. We help students understand what they need and how to ask for it.”
Smith recently received a letter from a thankful mother whose daughter came to Special Solutions when she was overwhelmed by the rigor and volume of work at John Burroughs School. “She was determined to succeed and needed confidence and reassurance,” Smith recalls. “We supported her while teaching her to apply the necessary skills.” After working with Smith for six years, the student went on to earn a journalism degree from the University of Missouri. According to Smith, the key to such success is coaching students to develop new habits. “It’s important to me that we don’t offer basic tutoring,” Smith explains. “We aren’t just pushing content. It’s about giving students the tools necessary to approach school.”
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Special Solutions is passionate about connecting with students and families to help kids thrive in school and beyond. Pictured on the cover: founders Shelley B. and Tom Smith. For more information, call 314.475.5035 or visit specialsolutions.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured above: Owner Shelley B. Smith
