Experience Summary
I'm Ebony! I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's in Cognitive Studies and Education, and earned a Master's degree with distinction in Curriculum and Instruction. I am a Cognitive Specialist/neuroeducator whose sole objective is bridging the divide between the student and the content, using methods based on the individual's learning style. As I think back to when I have achieved most success as a student, it was always because of a phenomenal educator who taught the content in ways that appealed to my learning style. I was immersed in the content, and I thrived because of it. I provide the same instructional strategies and experiences for my students, who vary from children with neurological differences such as Autism, Dyslexia, and other learning differences, to gifted students, to adults who never learned how to read or perform mathematics. I've taught in various fields for over 20 years from school-aged students to adults. I've also developed reading programs for ESL students and students who were below grade level. I believe that learning is as organic a process as eating, breathing, and sleeping. Not only is every person capable of learning beyond their own schema, but it is within their natural composition to desire to learn more!
I approach the learning process from a brain-based aspect, which acknowledges the neurological and physiological pathways of cognition. Brain-based learning allows me, as an educator, to have a set of principles and a base of knowledge and skills upon which I can make better decisions about the learning process of each individual student. Education and learning is not "one size fits all". I strive to differentiate the content, assessment tools, performance tasks, and instructional strategies. I also ascribe to Dr. Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences: intelligence is not a singular inborn fixed trait that dominates all the skills and problem-solving abilities students possess, but is centered in many different areas of the brain, which are interconnected, rely upon one another, can work independently if needed, and can be developed with the right environmental conditions. As Gardner states, "know as much as you can about the kids rather than make them pass through the same eye of the needle." So in essence, I believe that if a student is to understand deeply, he or she must immerse himself or herself in the subject matter, learn to think of it and to approach it in a variety of ways. And each individual way that a student needs to approach and think is acceptable!
I have taken students who had very little reading skills and helped them discover that they are excellent readers by assessing their learning styles, gaps, and strengths and creating learning experiences that fill those gaps and accelerate learning.
I specialize in how the brain learns - in particular, how the learning different brain processes information. Instruction is individualized based on the student's learning needs as well as desires. Research-backed strategies and the student's personal interests are combined to create rich learning experiences for the student.
Teaching Style
Brain-based, student-centered