sherry h.

Experience Summary

I have taught 5th Grade Math and Science, 3rd Grade, 2nd Grade as an Interventionist, Kindergarten, and most recently Advanced Math and Language Arts / ESOL/CIVICS in and Adult GED/HiSet program. I have the ability to motivate and light the fire of interest in my students by incorporating in my teaching full emersion projects. Using an approach that fully immerses my students in the subject they are learning gives them the opportunity to learn firsthand instead of being merely a receiver of information. I call this approach “Walk a mile”. I have used this approach in many of my student teaching as well as substituting experiences. For example, in a second grade class that was learning about reading maps I became Pirate Scary Sherry and took the students on a treasure hunt. I dressed like a pirate and told the students that I buried a treasure somewhere in the classroom. I made several treasure maps for them to use in the hunt. The goal for the students was to learn how to determine in which direction were North, South, East and West. Each group had a leader and the first clue/piece of the map. This was the exciting part for me. I watched as they banded together in their teams to be the first team to find their treasure chest. The leader of each team gave each of the other team members an opportunity to be a part of the group. (I did specifically choose the leader of each group) One student who did not know how to read very well used other clues (compass rose and signs) to help the team. In the end the students were thrilled to be a part of this activity because they were fully immersed in the learning at hand. They also learned how to work together as a team. Each time I use this as a part of teaching I find I learn more and more about what the students really need to not only succeed in learning but also in owning their educational experiences.

Teaching Style

My teaching philosophy starts out with essentialism which believes in a strong core curriculum and high academic standards. I believe it is important to have a strong foundation on which to build upon. After ensuring a strong foundation I tend to lean more towards progressivism. I believe students should be taught what is relevant today while becoming more independent learners, by utilizing problem solving skills and critical thinking. I teach the foundation and build upon that based upon what is relevant in a particular field today. I also include student-centered teaching strategies. I believe in order to learn a student must have base knowledge of a subject that leads into hands on assignments which require mastery of a subject. Students must have both of these in order to truly master what they are learning. I also believe that team based learning is essential today. It is important to learn to work cooperatively because the work force is largely based on teamwork. If you can’t work well with others you will have a difficult time in the life.

My Hobbies

I was on the yearbook committee in High School as well as the Varsity Soccer Team, Drama Club and Photography Club. My undergraduate degree is in Visual Arts with a concentration in Photography & Graphic Design. I took various undergraduate courses that relate to art, film making, and photography and yearbook construction. I also help run a small Janitorial Business where I am fluent in a vast amount of computer programs. My training with this company has also given me ample experience working with computer hardware as well as the software used. I enjoy writing and playing chess. I love to play and coach sports. I especially enjoy soccer, tennis, and racquetball. I play the flute and am learning to play the guitar. Among some of my other interests are photography and graphic design. My community service activities include working in a soup kitchen feeding the homeless, teaching for Literacy Volunteers of America, and being a Youth Leader at several churches I previously attended. I worked with Inner City Impact in Chicago through Word of Life Bible Institute and enjoyed working one-on-one with the youth in that area. In college I was on a drama team that performed throughout the New York / New Jersey area. I have also traveled to Bosnia to teach English as a Second Language and to Thailand, to build a school, on mission trips. I will use each of these areas in my classroom to enhance learning for my students.

All Subjects I Tutor

• Algebra
• Algebra I
• Algebra II
• American History
• Basic Learning Skills
• Biology
• Computer
• CSS
• Desktop Publishing
• Drawing
• Earth Science
• Elementary
• Elementary Grammar

• Elementary Math
• Elementary Phonics
• Elementary Reading
• Elementary Science
• Elementary Social Studies
• Elementary Study Skills
• Elementary Vocabulary
• English
• Flute
• GED
• Geography
• Geometry
• Government

• Grammar
• Graphic Design
• Homework Help
• Language Arts
• Life Science
• Math
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Painting
• Praxis Exam
• Pre-Algebra
• Reading

• Reading Comprehension
• Resume Writing
• Science
• Social Studies
• Spanish
• Spelling
• Study Skills
• Teacher Cert Exams
• Typing Skills
• World History
• Writing
• Writing Skills