Experience Summary
I spent much time in college working with local teachers and tutoring their students. Upon graduation, I spent a year teaching 4th grade in a private school. In Florida, I continued teaching in a private setting, which was unique as it provided enriching education opportunities year-round. Here I developed my philosophy of education through instructing multi-age classrooms, developing and tailoring curriculum, and participating in entry-level administrative duties. In my recent Public Charter School experience, I instructed multi-grade and single-grade classes, continued tutoring, served on the REA Executive Board, functioned as the school-wide Testing Coordinator, and was an Assistant Principal Trainee.
Teaching Style
My goal as a teacher is to meet the individual needs of students, teaching them “how” to learn, and guiding them towards their full potential as learners and citizens. I strive to use strengths to turn weaknesses into success. I enjoy using many instructional methods, finding “the one” that can make a concept come to life. I feel it is imperative to “reach before teach” when it comes to identifying and meeting needs. Developing a bond of trust and commitment leads to a less stressful environment, opening the door to creative learning with little fear of failure. I use a lot of humor in my teaching; I like puns and really bad jokes and I’ve been known to dress in costume or speak in an accent all day.
Type |
Level |
Year |
Title |
Issued by |
Certification |
Lifetime |
1988 |
Elementary Education K-6 |
Department of Education, Massachusetts |
Certification |
current |
2010 |
Elementary Education |
Florida Department of Education |
Certification |
BS |
1988 |
Elementarty Education |
Eastern Nazarene College |
Other |
5.5 Credit Hours |
2001 |
Disruptive and Defiant Disorders |
U. of MA Medical School, Office of Continuing Education |
Certification |
current |
1995 |
Great Books Group Leader |
The Great Books Foundation |
Certification |
Clinical Educator |
2002 |
Clinical Educator Training |
Florida Department of Education |
Certification |
Approved Observer, FPMS |
2002 |
Florida Performance Measurement System |
School Board of Volusia County, Florida |