Experience Summary
I have 20 years of experience teaching children with special needs from preschool through high school. Although I have taught Reading, Composition, Math, American History, Biology, Earth Science, English, Civics and book education for Driver’s Education, my strength is in teaching/improving reading skills. I completed my Bachelor’s in Education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1989 with a major in Elementary and Special Education and also earned a Master's in Education from University Missouri-St. Louis with an emphasis in Special Education in 1996. I also hold certification as a Reading Specialist (course work completed at Webster University, 2006).
Teaching Style
I begin instruction with an individual student by assessing his/her preferred learning style. To the extent possible, instruction proceeds through that style. I utilize the individual interests of the students to improve their reading skills. This has proved successful even with students previously thought to have already reached their full potential. In areas other than reading, I attempt to engage the student by connecting the subject matter to their own lives. In addition to improving academic skills, my goal is to improve self-esteem and build the student’s confidence in his/her ability to learn and to perform.