Experience Summary
I have deeply enjoyed 18 years of instructing and stimulating students in five states--Michigan, Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska. Most of my experience has been working with gifted students at the intermediate and middle school level; but I am also adept at, and enjoy the challenge of, working with students who have been struggling academically.
Teaching Style
I am always working to make learning engaging, vital and fun. I have implemented school-wide science fairs, maintained an ongoing chess club, created community-wide mental math competitions, presented at various professional conferences, and directed the district environmental summer program at the school forest. My students videotape flora and fauna, study the stars first-hand, plant and nurture an urban garden, start our own worm farm, and over the years have planted hundreds and hundreds of trees. We practice division of decimals by searching the grocery store for the cheapest gram of protein or lightest weight calorie We perform at senior centers and create videos promoting diversity which are used by school counselors in their classes. Last year my students presented at a Native American/Hmong conference, spoke to legislators, performed at the State Capitol, and won a Project Citizen Award of Excellence in their quest to change Columbus Day to Native American Heritage Day. My students in Marshfield, Wisconsin, were instrumental in stopping a road from being constructed through an urban forest in their neighborhood. My students in Onalaska, Wisconsin, wrote and performed a math rap that has reached 4,000 views on Youtube.
My Hobbies
My husband and I bike, cross-country ski, walk, hike and enjoy the outdoors whenever we can.
Other Comments
On the Praxis Middle School Content Knowledge Test, I scored 199 out of a possible 200 points.
| Algebra |
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| I enjoy algebra. My score in College Intermediate Algebra was 4.0. |
| Algebra I |
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| I enjoy algebra. My score in College Intermediate Algebra was 4.0. |
| Composition |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
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| I am an accomplished writer, having authored six books published by Prufrock Press, a leading educational publisher. Three of the books are or have been best sellers in the field of gifted education. I have also authored numerous magazine articles that achieved publication, and have served full time as a professional writer for Carnegie Learning. |
| Creative Writing |
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| My students' able use of metaphor has amazed parents year after year. My students become aware of their voice, and gain the motivation and confidence they need to express themselves in all their uniqueness. |
| Elementary |
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| I have more than ten years of elementary teaching experience. |
| Elementary Math |
Proficiency: Expert
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| I have a knack for making math fun, clear and easy to grasp. |
| Elementary Reading |
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| I can make reading fun for even the most reluctant reader. |
| Elementary Science |
Proficiency: Expert
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| I love everything about science, and can bring it to life through hands-on experiments and thoughtful questioning. |
| Elementary Study Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
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| I know how to make learning FUN. |
| Elementary Vocabulary |
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| We all need to be improving our vocabulary, adding to our knowledge. I teach by example. |
| Journalism |
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| I have worked for newspapers and had several magazine articles published. |
| Math |
This is one of my top subjects!
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| I have written six books, some humorous, about math in the real world. Extreme Math is about the mathematics involved in extreme sports. Alien Math is about number bases. Real Life Math Mysteries has sold more than 20,000 copies around the world.
I received a grade of 4.0 on College Intermediate Algebra recently. |
| Poetry |
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| My students learn about life and about themselves as they draw from their inner resources to write meaningful, unique poetry. |
| Pre-Algebra |
Proficiency: Expert
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| I have taught pre-algebra to sixth and seventh graders over the course of several years, and have developed ways to make the exposition and practice clear and fun. |
| Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
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| I love to make reading fun, and especially to open the amazing world of classic literature to your child. I encourage students to think critically about what they are reading and to honestly assess its impact on them. |
| Reading Comprehension |
Proficiency: Expert
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| It's wonderful fun to ascertain exactly what is written and what the author intended. enthusiastic teachers make for avid learners. |
| Social Studies |
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| I have a degree in multi-disciplinary social science, love to travel, and keep attuned to world cultures. |
| Spelling |
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| I can make spelling fun, active and engaging. Most spelling makes sense, and when students realize that, they gain confidence in their abilities. |
| Writing |
Proficiency: Expert
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| Author of six educational books; three of which have received best-seller status in the field
Author of numerous magazine articles |