Experience Summary
In 2001, I started my educational degree program. In order to better prepare me for my future career, I immediately started working in the school system. From 2001-2004, I worked as a 1:1 aide for a child in the primary grades, K-12 substitute in all subject areas, youth mentor for mentally disturbed children, and a life-skills tutor for a child with Asberger's Syndrome. The day after I graduated with my bachelor's degree, I was hired as a permanent substitute. The next school year I got a job teaching fourth grade and I also started working on my master's degree. I stayed in that fourth grade position until I relocated to NJ in 2007, which is also when I obtained my master's degree. Since 2007, I have been the basic skills teacher for language arts at a local Middle School. Next year, I will be teaching eighth grade language arts literacy.
Teaching Style
My teaching philosophy drives my instruction. Cooperative learning, discovery-based learning, student-centered classrooms, and research-based methods are all components of my teaching style. With the support system I provide, students feel comfortable taking risks with new knowledge and aren't reprimanded for making mistakes. The fact that each student learns differently keeps me constantly adjusting and adapting my lessons and activities. I feel it is the role of the educator to do everything possible to make each child successful.