Paula De Brito Cohen is an international business development consultant with extensive experience in project management, coaching and leadership development.

 Ms Cohen has been living in Arlington for over 30 years  and has 3 children, a graduate from College of Charleston, South Carolina, a Johns Hopkins University Graduate and Medical Student at Washington University at St Louis and a Junior at Northern Virginia Community College. 

In 2020, she was presented with the APS Honored Citizen Award for her important contribution as a volunteer for the APS schools as well as a coach and judge for Odyssey of the Mind .

While working from home as a consultant, volunteering at the different APS schools and coaching and judging Odyssey of the Mind for over 10 years, Ms Cohen came up with the idea of an enrichment class, "Thinking Outside The BOx” as a way to complement the great education we have in Northern Virginia with very important life, business and work skills adapted for young minds. 

It all comes to teaching the students creative and critical thinking, problem solving and learning to look at concepts and ideas from different angles. Ms Cohen started the class at Nottingham, her children's    elementary school, close to 18 years ago and currently is teaching it at several APS schools and some camps in the Northern Virginia area.

"Ms Cohen's class was thoroughly enjoyed by Daniel. As a parent, I really appreciated the detail of the instruction taught, especially the photos! Ms Cohen's thoughtfulness and nurturing person make her a great teacher. I'll be looking out for this class again for my older child.:)" 

"The instructor was organized, accessible, informative and most of all provided an educational program for the students. It was the best enrichment program my daughter has ever attended." 

"Sophia really enjoyed your class. I can't believe all the concepts you taught them while making it fun. I hope you come back next year."taught them while making it fun. I hope you come back next year.”

“Hi Paula,I just wanted to take a minute and thank you so very much for organizing and running such an amazing program. James Jones LOVES this "class" and your communication to us (parents) is so helpful and so great to receive. You and your class have made a really positive impact on James! He loves "thinking outside of the box" and I see/hear him thinking creatively and using some of your techniques, unprompted! Thank you again!!!”

“Thank you so much for your email. I enjoyed reading it. Thinking outside the box is such a critical skill in today’s world. I am super excited about Sophia taking this class”