Dr. Rebecca S. Hoover, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Educational Therapist

Welcome to Steps! I am a Certified Educational Therapist and the Associate Director of Steps to Success. I have worked with students for over 25 years in a wide variety of capacities - as a Middle School teacher, High School teacher, University professor and one-on-one as an Educational Therapist. Educational Therapy takes a holistic and collaborative approach to supporting students and their families throughout the educational journey. This process includes identifying areas of challenge, creating a support plan for remediation, and collaborating with allied professionals, such as teachers, resource specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and college accessibility centers to ensure that the student is getting the wrap-around support that they deserve. I also support students and families as they pursue and/or manage 504 plans and IEPs (high school) or establish course accommodations (college). 

I specialize in supporting teens and young adults as they work towards greater independence in both their educational and daily lives. This includes building Executive Functioning skills (task initiation, planning, organizing and executing work) and providing direct subject area support in the social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics (through Calculus), and languages (Spanish and beginning French). I currently work with high school students in grades 9-12 and college students at every level, both in person at my Santa Cruz office and online. As a result, I work closely with local high schools and community colleges, such as Cabrillo and West Valley, and I see students at Universities from coast to coast and in Hawaii.

This is my 9th year with the Steps to Success team and I am truly grateful for my wonderful clients and the privilege of working as an Educational Therapist. It is absolutely the best job in the world! When I am not teaching and consulting, I love to play the guitar, hike, study French, and spend time with my family.