Individualized instruction
A learning plan built around your child's strengths, interests, and current skill level — not their grade. Diagnostics tell us exactly where to start.
Certified K–8 & Special Education Teacher
Every learner has unexpected potential
We offer individualized, neuroaffirming instruction in Reading, Math & Writing — in-person or live-virtual direct instruction with take-home practice activities, built on a leveled, mastery-based system.
1:1 individualized plans
Neuroaffirming & multi-sensory
Ongoing progress monitoring
We honor mastery, and we honor momentum.
No two children learn the same way — so we meet each one skill by skill. Master it, and you move. Stay as long as you need; soar the moment you're ready.
What every student getsCustom learning materials
Multi-sensory lessons and resources designed for how your child engages best — hands-on activities, gamified practice, project work, or refined traditional methods.
Video modeling
Video scaffolds let students see a skill modeled first, then practice independently and check their own work — building real confidence and ownership.
Ongoing monitoring & support
Constant progress monitoring and targeted at-home practice mean students advance only after they've truly mastered each skill — with support the whole way.
Neuroaffirming approach
We honor how each brain naturally learns — celebrating strengths, leaning into special interests, and meeting students where they are instead of forcing one pace.
Built for real goals
Whether the goal is closing a skill gap, staying on track, or qualifying for honors, advanced, magnet, or charter programs — the plan is designed to get there.
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Core domains: Reading, Math & Writing
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Individualized instruction
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Mastery before moving on
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Grade-level focus
Our philosophy
Learning isn't linear — and neither are kids.
We honor mastery and momentum. When a child is ready to move ahead, we say yes. When a child needs more time, we make space. Standards are vertically aligned into skill domains, so every student masters the prerequisites before advancing.
- Whole-body learningSeeing, hearing, touching, moving, and creating help new concepts truly take root.
- Move up, down, or stay putStudents progress based on what they need and what excites them — not a calendar.
- Real ownership of progressVideo scaffolds and self-checks help students take charge of their own learning.
Award-Winning TeacherTruly Extraordinary AwardYou Make the Difference Award
About Us
Hi, I'm Sarah Sjulstad
I'm a certified Arizona Elementary K–8 and Special Education K–12 teacher and the founder of UnexpectED Education. As a teacher at Madison No. 1 Middle School, I was the winner of the Truly Extraordinary Award and the You Make the Difference Award.
I started UnexpectED to bring individualized, neuroaffirming, mastery-based instruction to every learner — meeting each child exactly where they are and helping them rediscover the joy of learning.
Elementary K–8 Certified
Special Education K–12 Certified
Award-Winning Math Teacher
How the leveled system works
A clear path from where they are to where they're headed
Every student follows the same simple, reassuring loop — at their own pace.
1
Diagnose
A quick Initial Level Placement Assessment shows a starting point; the Comprehensive Core Subject Level Assessment then pinpoints exactly which skills are secure and which need work.
2
Build the plan
We create an individualized, leveled plan with custom materials matched to how your child learns best.
3
Teach & model
1:1 multi-sensory lessons plus video modeling let students learn, practice, and check their own work.
4
Master & advance
Ongoing monitoring confirms true mastery before moving up — with support every step of the way.
Services at a glance
Ways we can work together
Research-based academic support for parents, micro-schools, homeschool cohorts, and online-school families — in-person or live-virtual direct instruction with take-home practice activities.
Intensive Support & Interventions
Targeted help to close skill gaps and get students back on track.
Subject Direct Instruction
Core teaching in Reading, Math, or Writing, paced for true mastery.
Advanced Track Instruction
Enrichment that prepares students for honors, advanced & selective programs.
Neuro-Divergent Affirming Curriculum
Instruction designed to honor and support how each brain naturally learns.
Homeschool Provider
Full instruction plus structured at-home work for homeschooling families.
Online School Support
Live guidance to help online-school students stay on pace and engaged.
Micro-School Partnership
On-site, leveled small-group instruction for micro-schools and cohorts.
Comprehensive Core Subject Level Assessment — Math
An hour-long session that maps exact skills and how to reach mastery in math.
Comprehensive Core Subject Level Assessment — Reading & Writing
An hour-long session that maps exact skills and how to reach mastery in literacy.
Ready to find your child's unexpected path?
Tell us a little about your learner and the program you're curious about. We'll be in touch personally.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
We focus on three core domains — Reading, Math, and Writing — each organized into a leveled, mastery-based system so students master prerequisite skills before advancing.
Free online assessments for each domain live on our Initial Level Placement Assessments page. Your child completes a short check and the results give us a starting level to build from.
The free online Initial Level Placement Assessments provide a starting point by identifying your student's current level — your child might place at Level 3 in Fractions, for example. The hour-long Comprehensive Core Subject Level Assessments then pinpoint exactly which prerequisite skills are missing, such as recognizing the visual representation of fractions or knowing their names.
The Initial Level Placement Assessment shows us where your student begins, while the Comprehensive Core Subject Level Assessment maps out which skills need to be re-taught and how to reach mastery at the next level.
Parents, micro-schools, homeschool cohorts, and online-school families. Instruction is individualized whether the goal is intervention, staying on track, or enrichment for advanced programs.
We honor how each brain naturally learns — meeting students where they are rather than forcing a single pace or style, celebrating strengths, and leaning into special interests with multi-sensory tools.
Yes — all services are provided by a certified Arizona Elementary K–8 and Special Education K–12 teacher.
We offer in-person tutoring, homeschool and online-school support in Phoenix, Arcadia, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley.
Yes. We offer virtual support worldwide.
I specialize in Reading, Writing, and Math K–8 instruction and support.
Yes. Our staff are certified special-needs teachers with experience in self-contained behavior, self-contained functional, pull-out resource, push-in SPED co-teaching, and General Education co-teaching.
Yes, we accept ESA. Our scheduling system (TutorBird) will send you an invoice to submit through ClassWallet for reimbursement.
Once we send your invoice, you can pay us through your ClassWallet account by following these steps:
- Log in to ClassWallet and select Pay Vendor from the menu in the top-left corner.
- Find UnexpectED Education by searching the vendor list, then click Pay.
- Enter the order amount to match your invoice total.
- Upload your invoice as the supporting document.
- Select the category (or categories) the payment falls under.
- Review the details and click Next to confirm.
For full instructions, see ClassWallet's guide: How to Pay a Vendor.
Yes, we offer in-person lessons paired with tailored at-home practice.
UnexpectED Education offers Reading and Math testing, monitoring, and curriculum to clients and educators on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT).
Tap Request Information, tell us your child's name, your email, and the program you're interested in, and add anything you'd like us to know. We'll follow up personally.