Experience Summary
Certified in grades K-12.
Plan and instruct each subject area using wide variety of teaching aids, motivational and implementation strategies to engage students in active learning.
Incorporate learning modality principles into classroom and individual instruction. Develop and conduct behavior modification activities. Utilize Lee Canter behavior management plans.
Implement technological approaches to subject material. Research educational resources on the Internet. Assist with information retrieval.
Teaching Style
Set Realistic Goals and Rewards
Create realistic, individual goals for all of your students. It's nice to have a classroom goal so students feel like they are working together, encouraging one another. However, it's more important to give each student an attainable goal that's personalized for their educational needs, such as completing homework assignments on time or checking over an assignment before they turn it in. Providing students with a personalized, attainable goals makes them feel like they can succeed and doesn't overwhelm them. Discuss with students the rewards for achieving their goals. Start with small increments. For example, two weeks of success is rewarded with lunch in the classroom. After a month, offer a special prize. Collect small objects such as pencils, stickers, glow in the dark rings or other trinkets for prizes. Meeting their goal for six weeks earns them a free homework pass. Adjust these to meet your needs and the needs of your students.
Find Connections
Get to know your students at the beginning of the school year. Keep a notecard or information sheet about each student and things they like, dislike, family history and extracurricular activities. Attend some of their events to show your interest. Take note of little things such as who their friends are, if they ride the bus or if they can speak another language. Use this information to make connections to lessons. Capitalize on their interests and abilities when introducing new topics. This helps students relate to the material and bring a personal connection to the lesson. Encourage students to explore their own personal connections to the lesson.
Hands-on Learning
Provide hands-on learning experiences for students. Students learn by doing and seeing their lessons in action. Plan field trips so students can see their lessons in person, encouraging them to extend learning about a topic. Make learning interactive by having students work with each other, complete experiments and act out scenarios, encouraging participation. Relate concepts to real life examples to make the lesson more concrete for students. Integrate technology into the lesson whenever possible. Students get excited about using the newest pieces of technology especially if they don't have access to them outside the classroom.