Must Know Resources, School Tutors, and more

Must Know Resources, School Tutors, and more.

Like Red in the Shawshank Redemption, a good Realtor is often the one who can get something for you. We have a Vendor resource page that is vetted that does just that. And this week the call is not for a handyman, electrician, or roofer, but rather for help at school.

School started in South Florida 4 weeks ago and this is about the time that panic begins for lots of kids and thus their parents. While we have lots of great and unique Florida schools, things aren’t always easy for some.

I was an excellent student at avoiding subjects. The only chemistry I’ve ever taken was watching Walter White and Saul Goodman. I somehow avoided Trigonometry. The only physics I took was physical education.

The hardest year for me was Sophomore year, first semester at Highland Park High School. I received 2 D’s, a C, and a B in Gym. My Mom walked through the school and brought me to the school shrink. I prayed none of my friends would see her marching through the hall. Dr. Shien asked if there were any girl or drug issues and there were none. When he asked me to explain something I liked (Basketball), I didn’t know where to begin. Shoot the ball off the backboard was one way to score. Then I tried explaining how to dribble a basketball. Dr. Shien said, “Time Out”. He started with “Basketball is a game made up of 2 teams of 5 players. The object of the game is for one team to score more points than the other their opponent”. A light bulb turned on! From that moment on I saw the world as an outline and learned to break things down. It helped not only with schooling but later in business, especially with getting concepts across to clients, other Realtors, and later in training. I become very good at understanding the different ways people learn and relating to their particular style of learning. Getting help in school is paramount for those that need it.

It figures I’d marry a shrink, and my wife, Veronica Lichtenstein, LMHC, starts to get calls as pressure starts to occur at home and school. Locally, I’d like to recommend Nora Ugalde. Ms. Ugalde tutored both of our kids. She taught Chemistry for 21 years at Jupiter High School and a bunch of places before that. She tutored both kids in all sorts of subjects besides chemistry. Nora always went above and beyond. Sam spent 2 years at Palm Beach State and one day, Nora, decided to take him to University of Central Florida (UCF) so he could see the “possibilities”. Sam is now a film major there. Ms. Ugalde was there for both kids outside of tutoring. Everything from exercising to proper study habits to organizing themselves. She also makes a mean Paella (she used to have her students over each Friday night). Nora can be reached at [email protected].

Realtors are often the first person a family meets when moving to a new area, and we are often relied on for trusted introductions. Our Vendor page has lots of contacts that our local agents have used and vetted. Usually if you need something not on our Vendor resource page, I can ask our 80 + agents and find you what you need – just like Red in the Shawshank Redemption. Also if you have a favorite person you’d like to spread the word on, I’d love to hear about them to consider adding them to our the Vendor Resource Page. Just don’t call if you need a Rock Hammer!

Jeff Lichtenstein is owner and broker of Echo Fine Properties, a luxury real estate brokerage selling real estate in Jupiter and homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He has 20 years of real estate experience, has closed over 2,000 transactions, and manages over 70 agents in a non-traditional model of real estate that mimics a traditional business model. Some publications he has been quoted in.

Feel free to ask him a question directly at [email protected] including a complimentary real valuation of your home.