Experience Summary
During my education career of thirty plus years, I have taught grade level and remedial language arts for grades 6-12, as well as freshman composition (college level), Advanced Placement Literature and Language, and college prep literature and writing courses. While employed as a high school teacher and department head, I elected to teach courses from the entire spectrum of those offered in English. Thus, I am experienced in attending to students' skills and effective instruction in relation to state requirements and test results. Immediately following retirement in 2004, as an education consultant for a major publishing company, I taught reading and language arts to diverse elementary students in cities in the Midwest, Southwest, and Southeast until 2008. I constantly assessed the impact of lesson design and specific teaching strategies for individuals and groups within given environments. I performed as an individual teacher or team member committed to excellence. I presently work as a substitute in South Atlanta.
Teaching Style
My teaching style consists of working with students in the affective and objective domains to make learning personal and enjoyable. That is, I address the student’s confidence and capabilities by establishing rapport and assessing his/her skills level through specific tasks or assessments. In the initial sessions, I determine the student’s interests through simple five-minute inventories or “getting-to-know-you” activities. With regards to academics, the study time always includes explanation or review of the focus skill (lesson) or task; my demonstrating the skill by completing a related task; a shared activity wherein the student and I complete a similar activity together; and, finally, the student’s practice of the skill in an independent activity. I end by giving the student feedback. My goal is to have the student become relaxed, capable, and proud of knowing.