Experience Summary
Upon enrolling my children in school, I decided to be an active part of their education. So, I assisted their teachers with everything I could. Eventually, I became a trusted part of the school system (an honorary teacher, so to speak). They began giving me more responsibilities, concerning the children of the school. I tutored hundreds of students to increase their FCAT results, single-handedly; I corrected documents, daily; I worked on setting up the computers for the teachers and students, and I trained both to use them. I even learned magic, so that I could help teach the students their studies, in a fun and exciting way. Previously, I opened my own computer shop, and thus, I had a tremendous advantage of all sorts of software, and Internet knowledge, that would help educate the students. Since I had an ADHD student at home (my son,) I was quite active with the ESE program. I helped the teachers and students, and learned hands-on, what it took to teach, daily -- in a school setting. Later, I decided to home-school my own children, and during that time, I developed many programs that assisted all of them to learn at an accelerated rate. I have tutored children for many years in: English; Language Arts; Math (including Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry); Social Studies; Science; Reading, Reading Comprehension; FCAT Preparation; Test taking, including ASVAB, SAT, PSAT, GED, ACT and others. I even teach teachers to pass their exams.
Teaching Style
I truly enjoy working with students of all ages. It doesn't matter what they don't know because I believe anyone can be taught anything, at least as long as you have the right teacher and materials at your disposal. I believe students are like little sponges. They're taking in everything around them. Obviously, if you fill their heads with garbage, they will learn garbage. However, if you fill their heads with quality information, you explain it in a way that they understand, and you make it fun for them to learn, then they will learn everything you're trying to teach. There are thousands of educators, but only a few real teachers who can get a message across in such a way that the student doesn't just do the work, they UNDERSTAND what they're doing and why. As far as I'm concerned, if a student doesn't learn something, it's not because he didn't try. It's because I failed to teach him in a way that he would comprehend the material. I will not fail because I know my students depend on me to get them where they want to be in life. I believe in teaching in a way that causes the student to feel like they're having fun, as opposed to learning something they don't want to learn. I use everything that might be available to me, including using simple magic tricks, software, and computer systems. I don't just strive to make a difference, I make a difference! I also don't have a problem with a student correcting me if he/she feels I might be off on something. I learn more things that way, daily, so I actually encourage my students to "snag me". That teaches them that it's o.k. to be human and to err.
My Hobbies
Ice skating, performing magic shows, learning new concepts, horseback riding, dancing, dog training, singing, music, art, and so much more.