Experience Summary
I am a natural teacher - it's what I do when I'm not getting paid. I just like to share knowledge of what, why, when, where, and how. I like the process of learning, and it is a privilege to get to witness, or even positively influence, that process in someone else. I have been paid for my teaching skills for the past 9 years, in various settings, including piano instruction, guitar instruction, tutoring at the Community College in Chemistry, Biology, and Microbiology, as well as assist teaching for the Decatur Public School District. I enjoy working in the educational environment.
Teaching Style
I am a visceral teacher. I like to use illustrations whenever possible, videos, photographs, drawings... I like making connections to things that may seem unrelated - I think this strengthens neuro-pathways and thought processes. I also think that laughter stimulates learning, so I like students to feel at ease - I will make myself look dumb if it will make someone laugh and relax.
My Hobbies
I enjoy watching movies - particularly sci-fi, thrillers, and documentaries - I am also very musical so I enjoy playing the piano, guitar, singing. I love to journal and write, and I also spend a good amount of time reading. I enjoy nearly all genres of literature.
Other Comments
It's so important for a student of learning to feel confident in herself. If she feels sub-par, her self-consciousness will actually hinder her learning, and in a way this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy! On the other hand, when a student feels competent, she feels free to ask questions when she doesn't understand, even free to attempt an answer when she may be wrong! It is in making mistakes that we learn, and the more we realize this, the better we learn.
| Algebra |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Received an A in all Algebra classes, including Honors Algebra in high school, College Algebra (taken in high school, and again in 2003 while attending Millikin). I received a special honor on a project in my high school College Algebra class. I have tutored junior high and high school students in algebra, and also tutored for junior high algebra within the Decatur Public School District while working as a Teaching Assistant at Johns Hill Magnet School. |
| Algebra I |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Received an A in all Algebra classes, including Honors Algebra in high school, College Algebra (taken in high school, and again in 2003 while attending Millikin). I received a special honor on a project in my high school College Algebra class. I have tutored junior high and high school students in algebra, and also tutored for junior high algebra within the Decatur Public School District while working as a Teaching Assistant at Johns Hill Magnet School. |
| Algebra II |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| see above comment for Algebra I. |
| Biology |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Received an A in Biology at Richland Community College in 2010, and received the distinguished award "Most Outstanding Biology Student of the Year" for 2010/2011 Academic School Year within the college. I also received a B in Microbiology the same year. I plan to continue my education in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and eventually Neurobiology. |
| Calculus I |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| I received an A when I took AP Calculus my senior year of high school. However, I did not take the exam, and so retook Calculus I in college, again receiving an A. |
| Chemistry |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Have received A's in all chemistry courses in high school, college |
| College Algebra |
|
| See above comment for Algebra I |
| Flute |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I played the flute in the school band from 4th grade through senior year of high school (9 years). I also performed at church, and in competitions such as IMEA. |
| Geometry |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Received an A in Honors Geometry in high school. |
| Guitar |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| I have played guitar for 9 years. I am self-taught, and routinely perform around town singing and accompanying myself. |
| Inorganic Chemistry |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| See comment for above |
| Logic |
Proficiency: I know the basics
|
| Received an A in Logic while attending Millikin University in 2004. |
| Physics |
Proficiency: I know the basics
|
| Received an A in a double-paced college Physics course at Richland Community College. |
| Piano |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have played piano for 23 years, and have instructed over 45 students over the course of 9 years, ranging from the ages of 4 to 68 years old. |
| Pre-Algebra |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| See above comment for Algebra I. Have tutored extensively for Pre-Algebra. |
| Psychology |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Have taken and received all A's in five college Psychology courses. With the long-term goal of Neurobiology, I am considering double-majoring in Psychology along with my Biology undergrad. Fascinating subject. |
| Science |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Received my Associates in Science from Richland Community College with High Honors. |