Meet our team.

Dr. Ryan J. Eckert

MA, EdD, Academic Support Specialist

Dr. Ryan J. Eckert

Aardvark Educational Counseling, LLC
302 Hawthorne Ave, Suite 102
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

(732) 267–8675
 

As our in-house academic support specialist, I work with our adolescent and young adult clients to achieve success in school. Whether at the elementary, middle, high school, or college level, it starts by meeting with each student to determine their individual goals and how to best accomplish them — not only through helpful learning strategies and techniques, but also by providing practical subject-specific academic tutoring.

I’ve been a practitioner in education since 2006, with experience in a variety of K-12, community college, and university settings, helping students and families of all ages and backgrounds realize their full potential.

Research/scholarly interests focus on: mentoring for at-risk students; overcoming school refusal behavior; virtual learning and remote instruction during the COVID crisis; 20th century American cultural & economic history.

Qualifications

  • Experience: 16+ Years

  • School: Monmouth University

  • EdD, Educational Leadership (2021)

  • MA, History (2014)

  • BA, History & Secondary Education (2006)

  • Certifications: NJ Standard Cert., Teacher of Social Studies (2300); NJ Principal Certificate (0200); NJ School Administrator (Superintendent) Certificate (0101).

Recent Publications/Presentations

  • The Impacts of Virtual Learning on School-Refusing Students during the COVID-19 Crisis. (2021)

  • “COVID-19, Virtual Learning, and the Equity Gap: What Happens Next?” [Conference Presentation] (2021)

  • Ethical Dilemmas in the K-12 Classroom. CCPJ 4560: Professional Ethics and Issues in School Counseling. Columbia University. (October 2022)

  • Managing Stress and Anxiety for Educators and Students. Professional Development Workshop. Barnegat Township School District, Barnegat NJ (2021–2023)

  • Student Mental Health: Supporting Social and Emotional Wellness. Professional Development Workshop. Lacey Township School District, Lanoka Harbor NJ. (October 2022)

  • A Sociopolitical History of American Business. (Coming 2023)

  • Featured Guest. “FB 104: The Jordan Effect" Flashback: History’s Unintended Consequences. [Podcast] (2020)

  • A Game of Failure: The Major League Baseball Strike of 1994 (2016)

 
 
 

Specialties

  • Addressing COVID-related learning gaps

  • Academic enrichment 

  • Adjusting to a new school setting

  • Identifying student strengths & weaknesses

  • Remedial subject-specific tutoring

  • School phobia/school refusal

  • Social anxiety

  • Struggles with transitioning back to in-person school

  • Study skills

  • Targeted academic planning for prospective college applicants

  • Test-taking strategies

  • Virtual/Hybrid learning challenges

Focusing on…

Social/Emotional Needs

  • Anxiety

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Family Conflict

  • LGBTQ+ issues

  • Oppositional Defiance

  • Peer Relationships

  • Self Esteem

  • Stress

Support for Struggling Students

  • Skill-building

  • Remedial subject-specific tutoring

  • Learning in an online/virtual setting

Academic Enrichment 

  • Identifying strengths, weaknesses, and learning gaps

  • Subject-specific tutoring

  • Study skills

  • Test-taking strategies

College Preparation

  • Academic advising/planning

  • Navigating the college/graduate school application process

  • Writing help/editing services

  • Time management

  • Metacognition

Clients

  • Elementary school

  • Middle school

  • High school

  • College

  • Grad school

  • Parents

  • Primary caretakers/Guardians

  • Family sessions

  • Group sessions