Phil Watson, MA
Educator and Linguist

ND Learners

curiosity-led learning for neurodivergent minds

Arrange a Chat
A man with dark, wavy hair wearing a red and black checkered shirt under a black sweater, standing outdoors with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

I’m Phil, a neurodivergent educator living in Portland, Oregon. I started ND Learners in order to providing quality tutoring and mentoring services to learners whose brains are wired differently and who have been neglected by traditional education.

As an intensely curious lifelong learner, I seek to inspire curiosity in students through an exploration of their interests and passions, helping them to understand their own unique ways of learning and understanding the world.

A woman with long blonde hair sitting at a desk, looking at a man standing and showing her a document, in a modern indoor setting with a glass door and outdoor patio.

My story so far …

I’m originally from East Texas, but moved to Hawaii at age 14. After graduating from high school on Maui, I attended the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where I majored in philosophy and Russian as a foreign language. Following graduation, I moved to Moscow, Russia, where I taught in public schools for over 11 years and earned an MA in linguistics from Moscow State University.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, I returned to the United States. While working at a Montessori charter school in Texas, I discovered that my strengths lay in supporting neurodivergent students—an experience that led to the realization, and later confirmation, that I am neurodivergent myself.

That summer, I founded a co-op for neurodivergent students, teaching in public libraries and local parks. I then relocated to Portland, Oregon, where I spent a year teaching at A Renaissance School of Arts and Sciences. During that time, I realized that my true calling is in providing tutoring and coaching services tailored to neurodivergent learners.

What I Offer

  • ND tutoring from a neurodivergent perspective

  • In-person and online learning led by curiosity and student interests

  • ND Friendly strategies, consulting, and curiosity coaching

  • Tailored approach to unique learning styles

  • Safe space free of coercion and result-oriented pressure

Areas of Exploration

  • Mathematics through conceptual and visual thinking

  • Science through hands-on, curiosity-driven exploration

  • English, linguistics, and creative writing

  • History and philosophy through patterns and systems thinking

  • Language learning strategies / Russian language

  • Dungeons & Dragons, game design, and learning through role-playing

Consultation

Before committing to tutoring or mentoring let’s get to know each other first. I would love to hear more about your individual needs, as well as share my teaching philosophy and strategies.

FREE / 30 minutes

Book now

Let’s Connect

If you would like more information, or you’re interested in collaborating, please leave me a message, and I will contact you soon.

Also, if you would like updates along with strategies for neurodivergent learning, please sign up with your email below!