Teacher Turned Tutor

For five years, I taught special education and ELL at the middle school and high school level. The gift of teaching in special education and ELL is that I got to experience nearly every academic area available in our schools! I often had to differentiate, re-create, or make new assignments, graphic organizers, and projects for my students. I also have found that special education teaching techniques and methods tend to benefit ALL learners. Additionally, I have co-taught language arts, math, science, social studies, reading, PE, and FCS. I offer services as a private tutor, special education advocate, homeschool supervisor. I have worked in a variety of educational settings including public, private, tutoring, and homeschool. (Photo Credit to Click by Kate by Kate Elliott: http://www.clickbykate.com/)

My teaching style focuses on the individual learner and finding methods and resources to reach each student based on his/her needs. I like non-traditional teaching methods and working with students to be independent learners. I want students to be able to learn and organize information as if I wasn't even there! I like to focus on teaching products that are simple and adaptable for multiple students, multiple content areas, and multiple age groups. I try to keep my things easy to use and simple so they are easily customized for each teacher and each student and each situation. I want the products I design and develop to be self-explanatory to the students and to be able to be used to easily differentiate and support instruction. I also intend for many of my products to be used in multiple content areas, multiple age groups, and for multiple years. I keep many things in black and white as I know many teachers only have access to black and white printers. It also makes it easier to print on colored paper. You will also find the majority of my products require handwriting. I am a true believer in the act of physical handwriting to improve retention and engagement.

It's always an honor to be someone's teacher. "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40) That is a lot of incredible power in being someone's teacher. How do you want your students to be? What kind of teachers do you want your children to have?

I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wartburg College in Elementary Education with endorsements in Reading, Instructional Strategies (SpEd), and ESL. In addition, I have a Master of Education Degree in Quality Schools from Graceland University.

I am passionate about educating the whole child and each child to his or her academic, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. I believe each child has his/her own timetable for learning and all children can learn - just not necessarily at the same time or in the same way! I also am a strong advocate for parent involvement, choice, and rights in the care, education, and treatment of their children. "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6