NJ School Workers Team Up On Kids Book That Explores ADHD

MONTCLAIR, NJ — What is the “reality” of a day at school for kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? That’s what a primary school counselor and a physical education teacher with Montclair ties hope to explore with their new book, Aaron Daniel Henry Davis: Just Another Day at School.

Co-authors Melanie Bieber and Ralph Pacifico, created the book to highlight the realities of the school day for children with ADHD and similar deficits, as well as the “endless potential that each of those children possess.”

“This book means so much to me because I was Aaron when I was a kid – so it really speaks to me both personally and professionally,” said Pacifico, a longtime primary school physical education teacher with Montclair Kimberley Academy.

“With this book, our aim is to educate both students and adults on ADHD and share strategies and resources with teachers to help ensure success for learners with ADHD,” the varsity baseball coach added.

Bieber said ADHD can make it very challenging for a child to manage thoughts and actions, pay attention, control impulsive behavior, follow directions and sit still.

“By making small changes in the classroom, maintaining open lines of communication and working closely with external professionals, parents and other teachers, we can effectively support a child with an ADHD diagnosis,” said Bieber, who works as a primary school counselor in New Jersey and runs Level Up Counseling and Consulting LLC, a private mental health practice.

“To that end, we wanted to take our experiences and give them life through a book that many can relate to,” Bieber added.

Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA) provided the following biographical information for the authors, as well as the illustrator, Tyrus Goshay:

Melanie Bieber, M. Phil. Ed, LPC spends her days counseling students with ADHD. The Aarons of the world are Melanie's favorite type of child to work with. After graduating from MKA in 2003, Melanie earned her B.A. in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Maryland and completed her graduate work in Human Development and Psychology and Counseling and Mental Health Services at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. Melanie works as a primary school counselor in New Jersey and runs Level Up Counseling & Consulting, LLC, a private mental health practice. She and her husband, Evan, love to share the world of children’s literature with their two children, Zachary and Zoey.

Ralph Pacifico is a longtime physical education instructor and high school baseball coach. His passion for activity and sports has been impacting students for over 30 years. Like our main character, Ralph has a ton of energy and has always found it difficult to sit still. Ralph has been married to Amy for 31 years. Together they have raised 3 daughters Paige, Emma and Geena.

Tyrus Goshay is a Chicago-based, award-winning digital illustrator and 3D artist with over 18 years of experience. He serves as a college professor, teaching both game design and illustration in his off time. Tyrus has a Bachelor’s in Computer Animation and Multimedia and a Master’s degree in Teaching With Technology (MALT). He has contributed to several award-winning projects in the world of toy design and has been recognized for his achievements in academia as well.

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