Empowering Growth,
One Lesson at a Time
Dedicated to helping students unlock their full potential through personalized, caring support. I work to creating a student-centered relationship to develop a safe, trustworthy environment for growth and improvement, along with flexible scheduling, fair pricing, and demonstrated results.
Personalized Tutoring Support
Executive Function
Executive function challenges relate to working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control, according to Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child.
I have assisted many adolescents on their executive functioning skills like planning, prioritization, time management, and problem-solving.
Learning Differences
Students identified with specific learning disabilities in the areas of reading, writing, and math can make significant growth in their skills with direct support and tutoring.
I have worked with many students to improve their reading comprehension, written expression, and math concepts skills. I've taught classes geared towards students with dyslexia and dyscalculia and students have made significant growth in their skills. Additionally, many of my students have also dealt with anxiety, depression and I've had success building a strong rapport and providing support.
Math
Many students get messages that they aren't good at math. Dr. Jo Boaler wrote a fabulous book called Mathematical Mindsets: Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential Through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching that has inspired my teaching.
I've enjoyed working with students to rediscover the joy of math, utilizing multi-modal strategies to solidify understanding.
Science
The joy, beauty, and power of science is a powerful way to understand our world and universe.
Working with students from 7th-12th grade on unleashing the power of understanding science has been a true joy of my teaching career. I've got experience with everything from general science in 7th and 8th grade to co-teaching high school Biology and Chemistry.
Adult Learners
While the majority of my experience is with adolescents 12 - 18 years of age, I also work with adult students who are working on skills including executive functioning, GED, math, and English as a Second Language (ESL) mastery.
ACT/SAT test prep
When I moved back to Chicago in 2003, I was working for The Academic Approach. I enjoy helping students review key concepts, understand test taking strategies and more.
Credentials
Northwestern University School of Education & Social Policy
B.S. Learning & Organizational Change
Loyola University Chicago School of Education
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction
M.Ed. Special Education
Illinois Professional Educator License
Endorsements: Learning Behavior Specialist I, Secondary Education, Elementary Education
Grades K-8: Mathematics, Social Science, Computer Science, Computer Applications,
Mental Health First Aid Certified
Testimonials & Appreciation
"Thank you so much for the encouragement, teaching, coaching, and skills you gave to XXXXX...it has made a tremendous difference and he would not be where he is today without your efforts and work with him. You are truly gifted at this -- so glad you found your calling."
"You have had a profound impact on my life...I'm going to miss your kindness, humor, and understanding...You are a role model to everyone you meet, and I am so happy to have been a small part of your life"
"Without you I don't know if I would have made it through high school. Not only have you helped me so much with my academics, you have really been there for me emotionally. You are one of the best role models I have ever had. You are the definition of a genuinely good person and I am so happy I have gotten the chance to have you as my teacher & I feel lucky to know you. I can only hope one day I turn out to be as kind as you."
About Me
Since 2006, I've been a public school teacher and have loved helping students unlock the power of learning.
Over the past years, I've had the privilege to work with students between ages 12 and 18 with higher-incidence disabilities like specific learning disabilities and executive functioning at the junior high and high school level on the North Shore, including New Trier High School. Teaching everything from reading and writing to math and science, I've enjoyed continually finding ways to reach students who struggle to understand concepts using multi-sensory and multi-modal techniques.
At Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy, I completed my undergraduate studies with a B.S. in Learning & Organizational Change. After a few years in Silicon Valley tech industry, I returned to the Chicago-area to pursue a career in education. Graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Education, I earned an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and another M.Ed. in Special Education. During COVID, I served as a co-host of Loyola University Chicago's Special Needs Network for Educators to support special education pre-service and current teachers.
I find the Resources listed below foundational to my practice. To continually improve and stay apprised of research and developments in the field, membership in The Council for Exceptional Children has been invaluable. I read Teaching Exceptional Children magazine, participate in yearly conventions, and have presented several times at CEC's annual meeting.
Resources
The following books are on my bookshelf, guiding my practice:
Learning Disabilities
The 6 Success Factors for Children with Learning Disabilities from the Frostig Center
The Survival Guide for Kids with LD by Dr. Gary Fisher and Dr. Rhonda Cummings
Executive Function
Extensive training & workshops with Sarah Ward
Smart but Scattered; Smart but Scattered Teens; Executive Skills in Children & Adolescents; Coaching Students with Executive Skills Deficits by Dr. Peg Dawson & Dr. Richard Guare
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Teaching Learning Strategies and Study Skills to Students with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, or Special Needs by Stephen S. Strichart & Charles T. Mangrum III
Focus & Thrive: Executive Functioning Strategies for Teens by Laurie Chaikind McNulty, LCSW-C
Math
Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential through Creative Mathematics, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching and What's Math Got to Do with It? by Dr. Jo Boaler
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Peter Liljedahl
Habits of Mind & Growth Mindset
Habits of Mind Across the Curriculum; Learning & Leading with Habits of Mind by Arthur L. Costa & Bena Kallick
The Growth Mindset Coach by Annie Brock & Heather Hundley
Mindful Games by Susan Kaiser Greenland
Adolescent Development
The Grown-Up's Guide to Teenage Humans by Josh Shipp
How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Under Pressure by Dr. Lisa Damour
Enough as She Is by Rachel Simmons
Raising Cane: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dr. Dan Kindlon & Dr. Michael Thompson
Masterminds & Wingmen by Rosalind Wiseman
The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross W. Greene
Websites
References, background check, & certificate of insurance available upon request
