Experience Summary
After graduating from Vanguard University of Southern California with my BA in English, I decided to enroll in the Education Program to receive my Single Subject English Teaching Credential. Teaching has always been a passion of mine. I started tutoring students in subjects such as Math, English, Science, History, and Spanish, when I was merely a Junior in High School. I began tutoring K-8 at a local private elementary school. I then became employed at my high school as a tutor. At my high school, I was given the opportunity to work with grades 9-12. I worked in an after school program for three years where I was able to plan lessons and help students with their homework. I have recently student taught at Costa Mesa High School as a 9th Grade Honors English teacher and a 12th Grade Regular English teacher.
Teaching Style
I started teaching Sunday School when I was in Junior High. I taught a little boy in my class how to read and it was the most rewarding experience I have ever encountered. As aforementioned, throughout high school, I began tutoring students in Math, English, Spanish, Science, and History. I tutored one 6th grade student who was ADHD. He had several tutors before me, but none had the patience to work with him. I started tutoring him and fell in love with this particular child. It was hard at first because everything distracted him, but I tried different approaches until he finally began to understand the material. I created a safe environment, which is the framework for teaching. I respected this student, and in return, he respected me. We would take little breaks between each assignment, which helped him return refreshed. He was interested in learning because I used specific examples in his life to demonstrate my point and he absolutely loved it. For example, he loved Tic-Tacs; therefore, one day I decided to incorporate the Tic-Tacs into the assignment. Learning was more enjoyable for him because all he needed was someone to take the time and just listen. According to the constructionist's approach to teaching, teachers seek and value their students' points of view" (Burden 14). This is clearly all the little boy needed.
I know that not every student is the same, so what may work for one student may not work for another. Through all of my experience in teaching and tutoring, I know that I am fully capable of reaching each individual student, whether that student be an AP student or an ELL.