Hayden Lee, Neighbor

Hayden Lee is a Certified Academic Life Coach for teenagers, a member of the International Coach Federation, and a happy resident of Brentwood. His mission is to help teenagers empower themselves with the self-awareness and life skills to succeed in their academic and personal lives.

Hayden grew up in Sacramento, CA and graduated cum laude from UC San Diego with a double major in Psychology and Theatre with a minor in European Studies. During his time at UCSD, he worked as an Orientation Leader and mentor for incoming freshman and as a peer counselor for students interested in studying abroad. Hayden spent his third year of college studying in Paris, France at the prestigious Sorbonne. During this remarkable year, he gained fluency in French and still affirms that it was one of the best years of his life! He highly recommends that all students consider studying abroad as he is a true believer that "the world is the best classroom." During Hayden's final year at UCSD, he was selected to participate in the China Synergy Program for Outstanding Youth. He had the honor to embark on a month-long tour throughout China to act as a Student Ambassador for the United States. He was one of 200 university students worldwide of Chinese descent that the program selected to meet and dine with the Vice Premier of China and the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to discuss how young adults of Chinese descent can make a positive impact on the world.

Upon graduation, Hayden moved to Los Angeles to pursue work in the Entertainment Industry. He has worked as an actor, writer, producer, and casting director. It was during this time that he also worked as an SAT and college essay tutor. Through this work, he discovered his passion for guiding young adults during the exciting time of preparing for college. He discovered that he had a gift for being able to relate with the teenagers, but more importantly that the teenagers were instantly able to relate to him. Hayden prides himself on the fact that he can find humor in even the most dire of situations; it is this signature sense of humor that leads his students to be able to accomplish even the most daunting tasks.

Hayden's favorite part of being an SAT/college essay tutor was that he chose to work with students individually, and not part of a big company in a classroom setting. He knew that he could make a bigger impact if he got to know his students as individuals and designed his tutoring style around them. That one-on-one attention is what drew Hayden to Academic Life Coaching. Another factor that contributed to Hayden's decision to become an Academic Life Coach is that as a tutor, he was only able to help students accomplish one test or one essay. As a coach, he finds it much more fulfilling to be able to empower young adults with life skills to handle stress about grades, to self-motivate, to improve communication with others, and to emerge as leaders now, in college and beyond.

In addition to French, he also speaks Cantonese. He spends a lot of time at Katsuya in Brentwood, enjoys volleyball, is SCUBA certified, and loves all types of Asian noodles.

To find out more Academic Life Coaching tips, email him at: hayden@haydenleealc.com or visit his website: www.haydenleealc.com