"For the last 26 years, I have dedicated myself to the care and education of children. I started out as the owner/operator of a day care, moved onto substitute teaching and settled into my own elementary classroom, where I have taught third, fifth and sixth grade. My greatest joy is seeing a student's face light up when they finally "get It" after a struggle. I tell my students, "Don't be afraid of the struggle, that is where the learning takes place."

My lessons focus on common core standards, data collected about the student's areas of strength and weakness, and the student's interests. I have found that students learn so much more when they use a hands-on approach with a basis in inquiry. Letting the student have time to think and explore are invaluable tools that I have found successful. My goal is not only to help students learn, but to teach them how to think.

I have a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Reading.

For the past eight years, I have worked in schools with a focus on Common Core. We were provided extensive training and a chance to put our learning into practice.

Part of my master's program included courses on phonics and phonemic awareness.

I have implemented spelling curriculum each year I have taught. I try to teach the rules of spelling, not just have students memorize how to spell certain words.

My goal in becoming a tutor is two-fold: to help you move forward in your learning and to help you learn to think and problem-solve. These two goals are meant to propel you into the future with the tools you need to succeed in all areas of your life. Please feel free to contact me to learn more and schedule lessons." less...