Meet Scott Prosser | Holistic Academic Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Prosser and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, how do you think about risk?
I was always pretty risk-averse growing up. I was your typical first-born, Type A personality. Structured, consistent, grounded, safe, reliable. I was also deeply afraid of failure, which was ironic, as I’d often successfully reframe failure as learning opportunities for my students, but my Inner Judge wouldn’t let me internalize that in myself for years.
Eventually, with the help of my amazing therapist, and lots of inner reflection and work, I was able to reframe failure for myself as well, and learn how to begin taking chances. I was living in Maine at the time, and working remotely for another tutoring company, but I was unfulfilled. I was finally ready to admit to myself that something needed to change, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that was or how to make that happen.
Around the same time, I met quite an intriguing woman from Colorado. We stayed in touch, got to know each other more deeply, and then I came out to visit. It was electric, and I knew I needed to make some changes. After flying back and forth between Colorado and Maine for several months, I took two big risks. Up until late 2023 had never dreamed that I would run my own business. I got caught up in all the things I had never done that “responsible” business owners have or know how to do. I almost convinced myself I couldn’t do it. I quit my previous job, and one month later in February 2024, founded Om Education.
A few short weeks later, I packed up and moved to Colorado. The two biggest risks of my life happened within a month of each other. Both decisions occurred when I was able to truly accept my intuitive guidance. Taking those risks was still scary, but I was finally ready to trust and not let fear win. Now, I’m able to use these experiences to help my students access their intuitions and feel more comfortable taking risks in their own lives.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I founded Om Education in 2024 to support students who don’t fit into the traditional academic environment. Traditional schools, even when led by caring educators, often rely on standardized curriculums and rigid expectations. These environments were not built to support students with complex inner lives or unique learning profiles. As a result, many bright and capable students are left feeling misunderstood, unsupported, or disengaged. This includes students who may be homeschooled, neurodivergent (including OCD, ADHD, ASD, giftedness, and more), emotionally sensitive or anxious, school-avoidant, student-athletes, frequent travelers, those who aren’t welcome to attend in-person school for a number of reasons. Om Education’s mission is to support students in discovering their intuition and self-awareness through academics. To do this, we are focused on cultivating long-lasting and deep relationships with our students and families.

This is primarily what sets Om Education apart; the parents and families that come to us are looking for support over several years, not simply for one subject or one semester. We focus on building heart-based, trusting connections with each student, giving them the opportunity to grow in a safe space. When I say “heart-based,” I mean that I use my awareness to tune in to what each student needs on multiple levels. I listen to how they speak, notice how they carry themselves, and pay attention to what may not be said out loud. I create a space where they feel emotionally safe, supported, and able to breathe more deeply. When that safety is in place, students can not only learn academics more effectively, but also begin to recognize how they feel in their body and develop greater awareness of their inner world. This is where real growth begins.

Our approach emphasizes building academic excellence through developing individualized learning plans for each child based on their learning styles, strengths, and areas of growth. We mentor and guide students to reframe mistakes and negative self-talk into a more positive light, so over time, they gain a healthier relationship with mistakes and themselves. Instead of separating and only focusing on academics, we look at the whole child, including school history, home life, sleep, diet, and exercise patterns, screen time, and more, and we use this info to help create an environment where each student can work through any challenges that may lead to lower school performance.

Starting Om Education wasn’t easy. I certainly didn’t have the financial capital to have someone help me with any part of the process. I taught myself everything I needed to know about how to form a business and filled out all the paperwork myself. I had to learn how to market, how to refine an elevator pitch, how to describe my work, which truly doesn’t fit into any of the boxes that people want to try and put Om Education in.

I kept hearing that without a perfect SEO score, no one would find me online, but that required key words and phrases that didn’t fully align with Om Education’s mission. I had to trust myself. My words. My company’s raison d’etre. I also figured out how to handle quarterly taxes, build a website, manage operations, and run the business solo without any financial safety net. I managed to find a couple of people who helped guide me in some good directions, but I was challenged to adapt and learn on the fly. There was a time when I was struggling to convert new clients when I truly wasn’t sure Om Education was going to make it, but I realized that in my desperation, I was overworking, over-perfecting, and trying too hard. I had to let go of the perfectionism and realign my focus, even when the outcome felt uncertain.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that consistency is key. I used to think it only applied to client communication and student academic progress, but I’ve learned that it really defines if and how my small business thrives. As a boutique small business owner, I need to be consistent in all phases of my life, personal and professional. In the beginning, when I started networking, I tried to join as many networking communities as I could find via Facebook, Instagram, Alignable, or other networking sites. I couldn’t keep up with any of them, and it led to overwhelm. After being too overwhelmed to even attempt to keep up with them, I found a few groups that I focused on being intentional and active in daily, and that’s made a huge difference in free marketing and exposure. Showing up regularly, adding depth to conversations, giving tidbits and advice for free, and being authentic in your intentions works wonders!

The traditional school model was designed in the 1800s to serve the needs of an industrial society: standardized, obedient, and efficient. That system was built to remove creativity, emotional depth, and individuality. And yet, it’s barely changed in almost two centuries. I founded Om Education to bring education forward to its highest expression: fostering creativity, self-expression, personal growth, and building a multifaceted, interdisciplinary tool kit for each student. Where traditional education trains students to fit in, Om Education helps them learn to tune in to themselves. Om Education is my effort to provide safe learning spaces for children to explore their curiosities, feel joy engaging in learning, and build the heart-based skills they can use to bring the world back to heart-based leadership.

Om Education is my way to build the education system of the future. Om Education is the model I wish I had. One that could have prevented the burnout I experienced in high school and college. I want every student I work with to feel safe, seen, and inspired. Not just to achieve, but to become who they truly are. If we want a more conscious, compassionate world, it starts with changing how we nurture our kids.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve been in Denver for over a year now, and I feel as though I’ve only scratched the surface of all the activities, events, places, venues, etc that are here for us! We’d pack the itinerary, that’s for sure.

For the first couple of days, we’d stay in the Denver area. We’d start by swinging by Bierstadt Lagerhaus for lunch on the way back from the airport. In my experience, they craft some of the best German-style beers you can get outside of Germany, and their Helles is one of my absolute favorite beers in Denver. We’d snack on a mammoth Bavarian pretzel and then I’d recommend the currywurst and the snitzwich for lunch. Ready for the rest of the day, we’d go down and explore some of the record stores the city has to offer, highlighted by Twist and Shout. We both love our vinyl.

The second day, I’d show them different parts of the city. We’d check out the whole South Broadway and South Pearl corridor down in South Denver. We’d window shop, get a coffee at Stella’s, check out the myriad of awesome mom and pop small book stores, and get a feel for the vibe of the city. I can’t imagine hosting a friend and not immediately bringing them to Bonnie Brae, so we’d stop there for a treat. I’m lactose intolerant, and their vegan ice cream is the most comparable to the good, lactosey regular ice cream that I’ve had.

The next morning, we’d make our way out of town, starting with adventuring through the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Now, we had a bison farm near us growing up, so we’ve seen bison before, but not with the backdrop of Denver and the majestic Rockies. Not to mention all the other critters that can be spotted. And to think it’s only a few minutes outside of Denver. For me, it’s a must-do. From there, we’d head up to Estes Park for the other must-do outside of Denver: Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s certainly the most “touristy” piece of our trip, but in my opinion, there’s a reason it’s one of the most-visited national parks in the country. We’d go look for some elk, spend the night in Estes Park, get a fantastic coffee and pastry from Bird’s Nest the next morning, and head into the park for the day, culminating in driving up Trail Ridge Road. After a day of exploring, we’d head back to Denver.

The next day in Denver would be highlighted by the Botanic Gardens. My partner and I are members because we love it so much. We’d go early to avoid the worst of the midday heat. I’d spend time exploring the Botanic Gardens’ special collections, especially the Native, Alpine, and Steppe collections. These areas highlight plants that are rare in most other U.S. botanical gardens, offering unique insights into Colorado’s plant life across diverse ecosystems. I’d complete that day with a late lunch at Adelita’s on South Broadway, followed by a stop at Davino’s liquor store to raid their $10 wine best buys rack, which we could take to the pool and chill for a few hours.

The next morning, we go back out of town. This time to catch a show at the Dillon Amphitheater. We leave early to spend some of the day checking out Silverthorne and Frisco. We’d have lunch in Silverthorne at Sauce on the Blue, a super cute and affordable Italian restaurant with a surprisingly good menu. We’d have to stop at Outer Range Brewing in Frisco before heading back into Silverthorne for whatever show we’re seeing.

The last full day of the trip, we head back to Denver. We slide out of town one final time, for an early dinner up at Burns Pub and Restaurant in Broomfield, one of my favorite English pubs with fish and chips and a Reuben sandwich to die for. We end the night with a nice, quiet cocktail at Williams & Graham on the way home, before departing the next day. A week like this reflects everything I love about Colorado; some time in the city, some time in the mountains, a lot of unique activities, and a bit of slow time to just be.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the love, guidance, and support of so many people. But none more so than Mom. She poured her heart and soul into raising us, and made many incredible sacrifices to do so. I was not the easiest child, and we didn’t have the easiest life, but I felt loved and supported day in and day out. No one has been more in my corner, celebrating my biggest successes and my biggest “learning opportunities”. She is always the first one I call with updates. I wouldn’t be where I am now without her firm but gentle guidance. She’s my role model, and I’m lucky to have her.

Beyond my mom, I have to at least briefly shout out my amazing partner Kat, who has shown me what love can truly be, my siblings Andy and Sam, for always sticking with me, even through the darker places, and my two amazing therapists, Kathy and Jeanna, who have both been guiding lights as I’ve learned to develop my own intuition and self-awareness. My life would have taken a different path without all of you helping me discover my mission.

Website: https://www.omeducation.net

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