Experience Summary
After receiving a B.S. degree in elementary education (1-8) and an ESL certification, I taught K-6 for 13 years. After that, I was a math consultant for one year. For the next 6 years, I tested, diagnosed, and wrote psycho-educational reports for students to see if they qualified for placement in special education classes and set up their individual educational programs. Later, I taught at a community college teaching English conversation, reading, composition, and grammar to students in the U.S. on visas. In another department, I also taught students from the special education pool who needed help with academic and business skills to prepare them for the workforce. I also tutored students privately as a job coach.
Teaching Style
As tutors we must recognize their individual learning styles along with their strengths and weaknesses to help them succeed. Most children seem to learn best visually and kinesthetically. Through pre-testing, we can learn where the child needs to start instruction and to look for gaps in learning that often cause confusion interfering with their ability to learn a particular concept. We must most of all be patient to reduce anxiety which can interfere with learning and build a rapport with each child.