Experience Summary
I have 40 years of teaching experience in the Montessori Method of education. During this time I have taught children (18 months - 12 years) in life skills and learning across the curriculum. I also founded a successful school (bfarm.org),experienced numerous interim Head of School positions, as well as lectured to staff and mentored parents in child development. I enjoy helping children to reach their individual potential in all realms of their development: intellectually, socially, and academically.
Teaching Style
I have a hands on personal approach to learning. I believe many children get"lost"in the system and need individual skills and strategies to catch up and feel good about themselves as legitimate learners and doers."I can't" means "I won't" - attitude rather than ability and a fear of failure. Once a relationship of hope and increasing ability becomes apparent, most kids begin to care and thrive again. I use Montessori philosophy as well as some manipulatives with auditory and visual strategies to support concrete learning. I believe it is important to form a team around the child, including parents, teachers, and specialists where needed. I include the family in the tutoring goals, as learning must be fun and constant in the moment, not just one or two hours a week.
My Hobbies
I love to garden, read and travel.
Other Comments
Kids are our future. Not everyone needs to be a rocket scientist. Children who believe in themselves frequently become entrepreneurs as adults; making the real differences in life.
Every child is unique and has something important to offer the world. Our job as parents and teachers is to help define and free that contribution.
| ADD/ADHD |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| I have lived through raising an adult daughter who has ADD. I have lectured, to teachers and mentored parents to help their ADHD children to "level the playing field" by learning how to learn using their specific strengths and strategies to stay focused. Working closely with each child's teacher and school is the most important conduit to individual success in learning and life. |
| Basic Learning Skills |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| I am a trained, credentialed Montessori teacher with 30+ years of experience. |
| Elementary Grammar |
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| Grammar is learned initially by good speech role modeling, followed by reading many different types of literature. Being aware of the use of subjects and verbs leads naturally to understanding sentence structures. |
| Elementary Phonics |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
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| After working with kids for more than 30 years, I believe phonics is the best way learn to read. Children who can't learn phonics by five, often have cluster learning challenges and need to be taught utilizing many approaches. |
| Elementary Reading |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Experienced
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| I focused my Masters of Education on literacy and sound early reading skills which lead to a love of reading and needing to know everything! |
| Elementary Science |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| Science is food for the brain and extends vocabualry and interests. |
| Elementary Social Studies |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| Social Studies broadens our perspectives about people, cultures and history. |
| Elementary Study Skills |
Proficiency: Experienced
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| Study skills enable good students to become great students. Simple things like having a specific, comfortable, quiet place to study and an awareness of study skills behaviors decrease study time and increase learning pleasure. |
| Elementary Vocabulary |
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| Vocabulary is learned through reading and speaking. Use of dictionary and thesaurus is vital. |