KArin Sandstrand
I’ve spent most of my life drawn to one simple question: “What helps children feel safe enough to grow into confident and curious humans?”
Growing up in Norway and later building my life in New Orleans, I found my answer not in control or correction, but in connection. My work with children has, for more than 20 years now, been rooted in attunement—seeing children, listening deeply to them, and supporting their social and emotional worlds so they can flourish from the inside out.
Over time, my passion has taught me that attuning to children also involves attuning to the adults in their lives. When parents and educators feel supported, regulated, and understood, everything shifts for the child also. These commitments led me to the Jai Institute of Parenting where I received my certification as a Parent Coach.
My approach is connection-based, and informed by research in neuroscience, attachment theory and emotional development. My goal is this: to support lasting shifts in how adults understand behavior, connect with children, and respond with clarity.
This work nourishes me deeply—it’s a privilege to witness growth, healing, and connection unfold in families and communities. Children’s thriving depends on the wellbeing of the entire ecosystem that surrounds them—parents, caregivers, and educators. We join together because raising thriving children is never meant to be done alone.
Testimonials
“Karin's calm presence and confidence is always encouraging. The way she communicates with our kids and to us about our kids reveals her respect for the kids as individuals and for us as unique parents. I feel like I can ask Karin anything without feeling judged and know that I will receive sound advice that takes our specific situation into perspective.” - Parent of Former Student-“I cannot speak highly enough of Karin as an educator and a person. She is warm, funny, intuitive, smart, and kind. You will not find anyone more attuned and relatable to children, as well as their parents. She has provided us with invaluable guidance for all three of our children as their teacher, giving us the tools and strategies to help our children grow and learn. It makes me so happy to consistently see the traits instill by Karin exhibited by our boys every day! My family feels so lucky that Karin was not only an amazing teacher to our children, but that she has become a friend.” - Parent of former student- "We have two very different kids, and Karin sees and appreciates each of them for who they are. You can see that she enjoys their uniqueness and does not force them to fit a specific mold. This acceptance allows them to trust her and bring that same inclusion to their peers. The kindness she shows to all kids (and adults) is contagious and natural. She supported our son through some social anxieties and encouraged him to be confident in himself, and supported our daughter as she navigated new friendships and big feelings." - Parent of former student- "Karin instilled so much confidence and curiosity in our child - we could tell that every day she went into school believing that the ideas she had to contribute mattered a great deal, and she felt very loved and cared for. Our daughter has since been diagnosed with ADHD and high-functioning autism, but the support she received in Karin's class prior to her diagnosis is a big part of why she's always regarded school as a happy place for discovery and creativity, and has continued to excel in her studies and emotional development." - Parent of former student-