Experience Summary
After graduating from Purdue, I moved back to Chicago and immediately obtained my IL teaching certificate and began teaching. Over the past 6 years I have taught preschool, first, third, fourth and second grade. The most rewarding experience has been teaching second grade for the past two years in Dallas, TX. These children were from low socioeconomic status, many of whom had fallen below grade level. It is here that I began tutoring before and after school to be a safety net for these children and enable them to be successful learners. My fiance's job brought us to Tampa in January 2008, where I then decided to continue my career as a tutor. I currently am director and owner of Little Sprouts Tutoring in South Tampa. I have been tutoring children ages 3-12 since the spring and find this job most rewarding. This is an opportunity for me to bring the classroom to the child's home and spend one-on-one time attending soley to their needs. I specialize in reading readiness for children ages 3-5, and currently tutor 4 children in this area. However, I tutor all elementary subjects.
Teaching Style
As a teacher and a person I am enthusiastic. I am someone who has a sense of humor and an inviting personality. I am empathetic and genuinely care about my students’ lives. I have a natural curiosity and desire to learn which I use to motivate my students. I think and act globally and set goals to strive for excellence. I also expect that all students can succeed if they have the support, respect, and encouragement they deserve. I want my students to be confident decision-makers, to love learning, to develop a curiosity for life, to know and truly believe that their voice counts, that they can make a difference, and finally, that they are important. To accomplish such goals, I motivate my students through creative opportunities and encourage positive social interaction in the classroom. I encourage development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills by using inquiry-based lesson plans and activities that address open-ended questions. It is my job as a teacher to help each child reach their full potential and develop the confidence to succeed!