JON LARKIN of Elevate Global Education Group has been in Hong Kong for 12 years, yet the approach to education of this academic coach has been shaped by experiences not just in his homeland of America, but also through stints in Spain and Mexico. He tells us about how his team can help learners, including those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Tell us about your background in education.
I was raised in Massachusetts, a place synonymous with educational excellence. My home state taught me early that true learning transcends textbooks – it’s about nurturing curiosity, fostering resilience and believing unconditionally in every student’s potential. This philosophy has guided my nearly two-decade journey across continents and classrooms, from the diverse schools of Boston to the sunlit corridors of Barcelona and the buzzing international hub of Hong Kong.
At Benjamin Franklin International School in Spain, I had the privilege as Whole School Director of Student Support of leading a dedicated team of counsellors, psychologists and specialist educators. Together, we redefined what inclusive education could look like in an IB World School setting – not as an add-on, but as the foundation of how a learning community thrives. In Hong Kong’s dynamic educational landscape, I witnessed how cultural fluency and academic rigour could dance together beautifully at institutions like Victoria Shanghai Academy, where I was Head of Learning Enhancement, and The Independent Schools Foundation, where I was a Master Teacher and Learning Behaviour Specialist.
What are some of your takeaways from these different learning environments?
What has stayed with me are the quiet breakthroughs: the dyslexic student who finished her first chapter book; the anxious newcomer who became class president; the parent-teacher conference that ended in grateful tears. These moments crystallise why I became a teacher. They’re also why I’m a perpetual student, earning a Master’s in Education and licensure in multiple fields, pursuing licensure as a behaviour analyst and Allied Mental Health Professional, and continuously studying neuroscience informed teaching practices.
Today, as we navigate an educational world transformed by pandemic losses and AI breakthroughs, my conviction has only deepened: truly great teaching meets students where they are – whether neurodivergent, twice exceptional or simply marching to their own brilliant rhythm. The tools change, but the core remains – that spark of connection when a learner suddenly sits up straighter, eyes alight with “I get it”.
With education evolving faster than ever, one truth remains: whether in Massachusetts, Guadalajara or Hong Kong, every child deserves to feel that moment when the lightbulb clicks on – and know someone believes in them enough to keep trying until it does.
When did the Elevate Global Education Group launch, and why?
When we opened two years ago, it was to fill a critical void in Hong Kong’s education ecosystem. After years of teaching and leading in the city’s top international schools, I noticed a troubling pattern: while tutoring centres and clinics were plentiful, few were staffed by licensed professionals with actual classroom experience in the IB curriculum or specialised training to support neurodivergent learners. Too often, these sessions can amount to little more than homework help – band-aid solutions that fail to address the root of students’ challenges or align with their school’s teaching methods.
This disconnect inspired our mission: to create a space where evidence-based strategies meet real classroom demands. Here, students don’t just cram for tomorrow’s assignment – they build executive functioning skills, self-advocacy and learning strategies that stick. Whether navigating ADHD, dyslexia or the complex demands of the IB, our team of seasoned educators (all with master’s degrees in education and direct Hong Kong international school teaching experience) bridges the gap between school and supplemental support. We’re not just tutors – we’re licensed teachers, counsellors, behaviour specialists, ADHD/ASD experts, and dyslexia specialists.
How are sessions delivered – online, one-on-one, group teaching or a combination of those?
We offer both group classes and one-on-one sessions designed to meet students where they are and elevate their learning journey.
Our popular Executive Functioning & STEM Class – led by Jeremy Novak, former Head of Guided Discovery at ISF – goes beyond traditional tutoring. It offers hands on STEM projects and collaborative challenges that allow students to develop crucial life skills like time management, organisation and goal-setting. This dynamic approach not only builds academic confidence but also nurtures problem-solving and teamwork abilities in an engaging, real-world context.
For literacy development, our reading and writing groups provide targeted support to strengthen foundational skills while fostering a love for language.
For personalised attention, our one-on-one sessions (Grades 1–12) adapt to each student’s unique needs across subjects. We even offer interdisciplinary lessons tailored to individual learning goals. And we work closely with families and schools to align our evidence-based strategies with classroom learning, ensuring students not only keep up but also gain the tools to thrive independently.
What are some common challenges faced by students and how do you address them as an academic coach?
Executive functioning skills – like time management, organisation, and emotional control – are the hidden foundation of academic achievement. Yet most schools focus on curriculum, leaving these crucial abilities untaught. We carry out personalised assessments to identify each student’s specific challenges; elementary students then develop these skills through hands-on projects, while older students receive direct coaching to turn them into lifelong habits.
We also tackle modern hurdles like screen addiction. Instead of just limiting device time, we help students discover fulfilling offline activities that naturally reduce reliance on screens.
One of your expert fields is ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. How do you unlock the potential of neurodivergent students?
Through years of experience, we’ve built a robust toolbox to meet each student’s unique needs. Our specialists are trained in multiple evidence-based approaches, from Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) – ensuring we select the right strategy for each child. For students with dyslexia, we employ the Orton Gillingham approach, a structured, multisensory method proven to help struggling readers. But beyond any single methodology, what sets us apart is our commitment to customisation – because no two learners thrive in exactly the same way.
How can Elevate help with school placements?
We’ve worked inside Hong Kong’s top international schools and international schools worldwide – teaching in their classrooms, collaborating with admissions teams, and navigating IB systems firsthand. We’ve taught teachers, and we’ve hired, evaluated and trained teachers, too. So, our advice comes from direct experience. When we recommend a school or strategy, it’s rooted in real experience – not just brochures or hearsay. As one parent put it: “You don’t just know about the schools – you know how they actually work.
What’s new and notable at Elevate?
This year, we’ve moved into a beautiful new space in Central – a nurturing environment designed to inspire learning and growth. While we look ahead to potentially expanding to Wong Chuk Hang in the future, our true focus remains on maintaining the exceptional standard of care that defines our work.
Currently, we’re deepening our specialisation in supporting students experiencing school refusal – helping them rebuild confidence and reconnect with learning.
What do you like most about your job?
I love witnessing those transformative moments when everything clicks. Schools, bound by curriculum demands, often can’t pause to ensure every student truly grasps a concept. That’s where we make the difference.
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the spark in a student’s eyes when they finally understand, the proud WhatsApp message from a parent sharing their child’s improved grades, and the bittersweet call saying they need us less because our strategies have stuck.
Even better is watching students take ownership – whether it’s tackling passion projects instead of endless scrolling or applying study systems independently. These aren’t just academic wins; they’re confidence-building milestones that last long after our sessions end.
Elevate is at 7/F, Chueng Hing Commercial Building, 37 Cochrane Street, Central. To get started with a free 20-minute discovery call, visit elevate-educate.net/contact.
This article first appeared in the June 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
