Certified Coaches

I have a master’s degree in early childhood special education and over 11 years of experience as an educator in special education, preschool, and early elementary. I spent several years as a stay-at-home mom when my children were young and currently teach kindergarten at a Christian school. I have special interests in both children’s and parents’ mental health and working with parents of children with disabilities, neurodivergence, and giftedness. I was honored to help adapt the CF Discipline that Connects course to a professional development workshop for educators and to pilot this program with over 30 kindergarten-8th grade teachers at my current school. I was also a guest on the CF podcast episode 202, “Practical Classroom Management Strategies that Work”.

My mission as a Connected Families parent coach is to empower parents and educators with the tools, strategies, and mindset needed to navigate the challenges of raising and educating children in today’s world. My husband and I came to Connected Families as clients in 2019 looking for a better way to parent our two sensitive and intense neurodivergent children. I was immediately impressed by how seamlessly the Connected Families Framework marries current brain research with Biblical truth. Connected Families has transformed not only how I parent but my professional work as an educator and teacher trainer, as well as my personal faith in Jesus.

It would be my joy to partner with you as a parenting coach for your family or as a speaker and trainer for your church or school. I am available to coach clients in person in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota and worldwide via Zoom. I am available as a workshop speaker for churches and schools in the upper midwest. My prayer for all of my clients is that they will feel equipped to meet the children in their care with true unconditional love while also developing capability, wisdom, and responsibility.

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I am a mom to three energetic kiddos (ages 3, 6, and 9). If you’ve ever felt exhausted and overwhelmed as a parent, I can relate! Early on in my parenting journey, I struggled with my strong-willed daughter. All the parenting strategies I used led to power struggles, big tantrums, yelling, anger, and ultimately disconnection with my child. When I discovered Connected Families back in 2019, I finally had the tools to forge new pathways of connection and peace in my family. I am passionate about generational healing. I would love to help you experience true transformation as you navigate parenting the family God has designed for you! Read more…

As a counselor, homeschool mom of three, and pastor’s wife, I understand that every child, parent, and family is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting is not sufficient. At Cedar Cove, we offer Christ-centered counseling to all ages, virtually and in person. As a counselor, I blend these skills and practices into my parent coaching. Counseling has given me a knowledge of relational and mental health struggles, giving me the ability to help parents and kids who are struggling at this level. Homeschooling my own sensitive and intense kids has given me insight into the particular challenges that can occur in this context. My husband has been in school or in ministry for the duration of our marriage. While this dynamic has been challenging at times, it has grown me in my ability to help those struggling in similar ways. In each of these settings, I have helped parents and children suffering from anxiety, depression, OCD, self-injury, ADHD, ASD, ODD, and PTSD. I have helped people walk through difficult transitions, grief and loss, and painful relationships. I offer a free consultation call to any family interested in pursuing parent coaching with me. Send me an email to set this up! I look forward to hearing your struggles and walking with you through them. Read more…

I’m Kate, and I’m a mom of one biological daughter and two stepsons. I know firsthand the rollercoaster of parenting. From navigating the complexities of trauma, sensory issues, anxiety, depression, and ADHD to embracing the highs and lows of raising kids who are sensitive and intense with big feelings, I’ve experienced a lot. Going through a divorce or co-parenting in a high-conflict situation? I’ve been there, too. I understand the challenges that arise when two co-parents have different approaches in their respective homes and how it affects the children involved. I would love the privilege of walking alongside you while you are on your unique parenting path. Wherever you are in your parenting journey, know that I’m here and ready to accompany you with kindness, understanding, and absolutely zero judgment. Read more…

Welcome to the Connected Families community. We belong together. Please relax and make yourself at home! “Hybrid Educator” describes my journey through Christian education, home education, and public education. My seven children are my favorite teachers! Our current educational landscape includes a university graduate, home school graduate, home school senior, and four public school students (in kindergarten, grade 2, grade 4, and grade 7.) Attending a tiny Christian college in Texas prepared me to teach at Christian schools in the United States and Africa before home-schooling my own children in New Brunswick, Canada. My husband, Michael, and I promoted curriculum at Home School Conventions across the country. Visions of family learning kept me dancing among blissfully harmonious expectations. Reality brought dissonance, overwhelm, and collapse. What was going on in me? What was going on in my children? My husband? Not the slightest clue! Just increasing pressure that I had to keep everyone happy, along with heaps of shame for failing so short of that goal. Without a wisp of awareness. A different question taunted, “What’s wrong with me?” My first encounter with Connected Families was hearing a radio interview that echoed the longing of my heart for true peace in my family. Healing and wholeness are possible! Relief flooded me, and hope carried me forward. Through grace-filled truth in courses, kindness, coaching, prayer, humor, and community, I continue to try again. Connected Families family members help me focus more on Jesus and His wonderful grace every day. How thankful I am for appreciative inquirers! Childlike wonder and curiosity are returning to my heart and home. Connected Families Parent Coaching is a transformational way to share the love I receive. Where are you in your parenting journey? Coaching empowers every parent to discover a unique next step for their divinely and intricately designed family. Let’s learn and grow together! Many of my “dance steps” remain awkward (and embarrassing for my children). Practicing to the music of God’s mercy is a delight. Connected Family resources are a gift from heaven. You don’t have to take my word for it! Where do you want to start? Linger on the Connected Families website discovering beautiful eternal harmonies. You might even find yourself dancing. “Lord, You are my true strength and my glory song, my champion, my Saviour! Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!” Psalm 118:14-15 Read more…

A grandmother of five, ages 3-8, I have been involved with Connected Families for three years. As a result of seeking a Christ-centered and better way to discipline, I took the Discipline that Connects course, followed by parent coaching, and then became a Certified Parent Coach. My husband Steve and I, are blessed to have full days, 2-3 times a week, with our grandkids. My desire is to continually grow, little by little, as I implement the Connected Families Framework with my children, their spouses, and grandkids. I live in Charleston, West Virginia, where I am a full-time CRNA at Women and Children’s Hospital. Read more…

God has gifted me such a love for working with children and wanting to help them grow through their struggles. In the process, I have become passionate about supporting the family to grow a healthy home life that glorifies God. I grew up as a pastor’s kid and have devoted my life to working with children and youth in ministry. I am a faith-based life coach, and I have a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Read more…

My name is Jane Otieno. I am married and blessed with two children, a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old. I serve alongside my husband as a pastor. I am so passionate about parenting and equipping parents with strategies to help them parent with grace. As a certified parent coach, I find joy in walking alongside parents in their parenting journey. Read more…

Have you noticed how many young families don’t have a great foundation? Not only that, but they often turn to Google rather than a trustworthy community for help. I come alongside parents to process parenting challenges and build wise habits rooted in relational connection that is also brain science-informed. My coaching is twofold: 1) CF foundational framework for families privately and 2) in order to multiply impact, I also coach churches. I serve as a missionary with the trustworthy engine of FamilyLife Canada and seek to partner with churches to build ministries and communities that offer help and hope for marriages and parents. My services are free because of a large team of generous partners. I first discovered Connected Families when I was getting my master’s degree and met Jim Jackson in a class. As a young dad, I was struck by the power of modeling and relational connection for passing on my faith and building wisdom. As a pastor, I researched a lot of parenting curriculum, but nothing combined effective brain science with the heart of Gospel reconciliation like Connected Families. I would be honored to coach you in building a more connected family on a strong foundation. Read more…

Hi there! I’m Vanessa — a mom of two big-hearted and energetic daughters, a leadership coach, and a facilitator. I love working with families and communities to share the truth and grace of the Connected Families Framework, and God’s heart for all of his children. As a coach, I’m passionate about helping people break cycles, generate more awareness, and approach life with more intention and choice. I work with families of all faiths, and mixed-faith households. Our family is mixed faith, so I have personal experience parenting as a Christian while respecting other belief systems. If you think we could be a good fit for coaching or workshop delivery, I’d love to serve you and walk alongside you on your parenting journey! Read more…

When my daughters were first born, my husband worked out of town every weekday and I was struggling with post-partum depression. As a mom desiring to do everything perfectly, I was drowning under a sea of unmet expectations. I had goals and didn’t have a plan for how to make them a reality. From my time as a counselor, I knew I wanted our girls to know their value, but I struggled to enforce consequences. When I found the Connected Families material, I found the tools to apply the principles that were most important to me in counseling. It was like someone had written a how-to manual on being a wholehearted parent. I was thrilled and spent the next 6 years applying the framework in my home and reading The Discipline that Connects book with as many friends as would meet me for coffee. So when I learned that Connected Families was training coaches I knew that I wanted to become a coach. And share this life-giving framework with others. I am passionate about empowering parents as they build a home where everyone feels valued and connected. Using my experience as a school counselor and a parent coach, I would love to walk alongside you as you learn new strategies and apply the Connected Families framework in your home. Read more…

Parenting is a journey filled with challenges and opportunities for growth. As a third-culture kid raised in a Chinese family in Thailand, I learned resilience and adaptability. When I became a mom, I sought answers in books and courses, yet real-life parenting often defied textbook solutions. Through Connected Families, I discovered the power of grace-filled parenting rooted in self-reflection and reliance on God. This approach transformed anxious parents into confident ones and inspired me to become a parent coach. With two children of my own, I understand every child and family is unique. Let’s grow together in faith and grace-filled truth. Read more…