Experience Summary
My teaching experience focuses on teaching students who face reading struggles including dyslexic tendencies. I have had extensive experience teaching reading to dyslexic students. I aslo teach reading skills including specialized reading comprehension to a wide age range of students; elementary, middle school, high school completion programs, pre-college readiness classes. I have taught part time as a private reading tutor and then became a Reading Specialist for a public middle school, then elementary reading interventionist. I was invited to teach pre-college study skills classes at Lansing Community College. I also taught a high school completion program for English credits. On a part-time basis, I taught Reading Methods, Research Methods, and Children's Literature classes in a teacher preparation degree program.
Teaching Style
Teaching reading to students of all ages is and has been my love in education. I identify student learning styles and strengths, then use strategies which best suit the student to strengthen reading weaknesses. I teach reading using proven strategies with multi-sensory techniques to help students understand the skills being taught, leading to greater progress and success.
My Hobbies
My husband and I love to travel. Over several years, we hosted 12 foreign exchange students into our home in Jenison, Michigan. We have spent extensive time exploring China and Thailand as well as many places in the great United States. Of course, I love to read and write, therefore a growing hobby of mine is writing 'life stories' of older people and learning about their history and love of life. My husband and I moved to the Dayton area last spring, as his work transferred him. We are enjoying new territory!
Other Comments
Teaching one-on-one is my preferred way to teach. So much more can be accomplished. I look forward to helping my students grow in the love of reading and writing. I am able to connect via Skype or Facetime.
| Type |
Level |
Year |
Title |
Issued By |
| Degree |
Masters |
2000 |
Ed M.A., Reading Speciality |
Grand Valley state University |
| Certification |
Specialist K-12 |
1988 |
Reading - Orton-Gillingham Method |
Specialized Language Development... |
| Degree |
Bachelors |
1979 |
Elementary Education/Special Edu... |
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa |
| Certification |
Highly Effective Reading Instructor |
2008 |
Reading Specialist |
State of Michigan |
| Award |
Community College |
2014 |
Highly Effective Instructor |
Lansing Community College, Lansi... |
| Basic Learning Skills |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
| Basic learning skills can relate to many areas such as reading, writing, problem solving, speaking. I am vey experienced in identifying and addressing basic learning skill weaknesses. |
| Elementary Phonics |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I utilize the Orton-Gillingham method to teach phonics. |
| Elementary Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Elementary level reading struggles have no age limit. They are basic reading skills that if missed can cause struggles in all areas of life. I identify reading weaknesses, as well as learning style strengths, of which I then create a plan to increase reading abilities. |
| Elementary Social Studies |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am skilled at teaching comprehension strategies for social studies, history and general topics. I teach ways to organize read material as well as how best to study for tests on the material. |
| Elementary Study Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Study skills can be strengthened by implementing creative methods of organizing the read and learned information. I teach many approaches and find ways to best use the students' strengths to help them gain knowledge and confidence. |
| Elementary Vocabulary |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Vocabulary is the basis for understanding and expressing knowledge. I teach using the new word within a context students will remember. I make learning vocabulary fun! |
| Reading |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I specialize in teaching reading to students exhibiting dyslexic tendencies. I teach using multi-sensory, Orton Gillingham techniques. Pre-reading phonemic awareness skills, grade appropriate phonics, and reading comprehension strategies. I have had 20+ years private tutoring experience as well as being a Reading Interventionist in public schools. |
| Reading Comprehension |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Students may seem to read well, yet comprehension of what is read is lacking. I employ specific strategies to help students become more aware of specific thinking processes to help them understand what is read. |
| Spelling |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Spelling is easy and predictable if you know the rules! I teach using multi-sensory techniques along with generalizations and strategies to help your student succeed. |
| Writing |
|
| I teach a variety of writing approaches, depending on the purpose of writing. |