Experience Summary
I have always enjoyed working with kids. I was fortunate to land a long-term substitute teaching position in a Special Education classroom for almost a year. I was responsible for teaching small groups of students with learning and behavioral disabilities, and basic reading and math skills. While this was an incredibly challenging job, it was also immensely rewarding and helped me develop a strong understanding and compassion for kids of all ability levels. As well, I learned how to connect quickly and easily with kids and to create an environment where learning could happen in an easy and fun manner. In addition to my direct teaching experience, I also worked as a yearbook rep for Herff Jones Yearbooks. In this job, I was responsible for teaching groups of middle-schoolers and high-schoolers everything from how to write good copy, to how to manage a staff. I have substituted numerous times for several school districts with much success and I have also taken the opportunity to volunteer at various organizations that emphasize on children. For over a year, I taught a young man to read through the Adult Learning to Read Program. I have volunteered with Partners and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, working with at-risk high-schoolers. I also implemented a program in inner-city schools in three states, working to build self-esteem and leadership skills. In short, working with students is my passion!
Teaching Style
I always loved school and the whole education process, so when I started teaching I assumed that all of my students would feel the same way. But I quickly learned that school is not easy for everybody. What I found though, is that if you provide a fun, safe environment for kids to learn in, they will learn. And in turn, school will become easier. I believe school and learning is alot like life, you are most excited about things that are interesting to you. My goal as a teacher and tutor is to make the subject interesting to kids so they can get excited about it and ultimately, learn the subject.