Tutoring Services

After assessing your child, I create lessons tailored to his or her individual needs. Some reasons for tutoring include: providing intervention when a student is struggling, fostering a passion, supplementing a homeschool curriculum, providing enrichment, preventing loss of skills over the summer, or helping master content quickly when taking an accelerated course.

In over 15 years of teaching, I have worked effectively with gifted and talented students, English language learners and students with special needs such as ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, autism, and sensory processing disorders.

Math

Math was my favorite subject in school! I balance conceptual understanding with fluency, using games and manipulatives. When I was teaching in the classroom, I served as my school’s math liaison and am familiar with BVSD’s adopted math programs: Math Expressions (K-5) and Connected Math (6-8). I have taught the 4th/5th compacted math course. I am well-versed in K-6 mathematics standards and the research behind how children learn math. I have been trained in Add+Vantage Math Recovery, which is a tool to identify numeracy needs and provide intervention. A strong foundation in numeracy is crucial for more advanced mathematics.

Reading

Over ten years in the classroom, a master’s degree in literacy education, and a National Board Certification in Reading/Language Arts have prepared me to provide explicit, multi-sensory reading instruction to students K-8. I am also trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading. After administering assessments, I provide targeted instruction in phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds), phonics, comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary.  Time spent reading is paramount to academic success, so I strive to instill a love of reading in my students.

Writing

I have always been passionate about teaching writing. Writing is difficult for many students, but can be a powerful source of expression. Children need a clear purpose and audience to stay motivated to write. When helping students develop as writers, choice is key. I have participated in the Colorado Writing Project and held writing leadership roles in schools, including writing curriculum and leading professional development. I help students learn to organize their writing, increase stamina and motivation, develop ideas and craft, improve vocabulary, and work on mechanics.

Spelling

Spelling is part of the writing process and is intimately tied to reading. A student struggling with encoding (converting sounds to letters on paper) may also struggle with decoding (using letter-sound relationships to read words), so it’s important to address both. However, some children read with ease but still need support with spelling. I can assess each child’s developmental spelling level and provide targeted instruction to learn spelling patterns, homophones, and high-frequency words.