Fun Facts

I have 3 boys of my own, one who is autistic! I am from Utah, and my favorite color is black!

About Me

I have a bachelor's in elementary education and childcare!’ I love children, especially seeing when they light up because they have grasped a concept, or watching rh work while the wheels on their head go round, it’s phenomenal and takes a place in my heart every time it happens! Children make my world go round, and I love being a part of their lives, even if it’s for a brief moment in time!

Experience

I have worked in the elementary school setting for 14 years, and the last 7 I have spent in childcare!!!

Approach

1. Building a Positive Relationship
Establish Trust: Students need to feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. Building a positive, supportive rapport can foster a safe space for learning.
Be Patient & Encouraging: Celebrate small victories and encourage the student when they face challenges. This helps boost their confidence and motivation.
2. Assessing Learning Styles
Visual Learners: Use diagrams, charts, or color-coded notes to present material.
Auditory Learners: Explain concepts through verbal explanations, discussions, and recitations.
Kinesthetic Learners: Incorporate physical activities, models, or experiments when teaching.
Tailor your approach to the student’s style to keep them engaged and help them absorb information more effectively.
3. Goal Setting
Short-term and Long-term Goals: Set clear, achievable goals for each session, as well as overarching goals for the subject or semester. Break down larger concepts into manageable chunks.
Motivational Focus: Make sure the student understands why they're learning what they're learning and how it connects to their larger goals (e.g., passing an exam, applying skills to real-life situations).
4. Active Engagement & Interactive Learning
Ask Questions: Encourage active participation by asking open-ended questions. This helps the student think critically and deepen their understanding.
Problem Solving: Guide the student through solving problems step by step, allowing them to work through challenges with your support.
Real-Life Examples: Use real-world scenarios to make the material more relatable and interesting.
5. Differentiated Instruction
Adapt Teaching Methods: Not all students learn the same way, so adjust your approach depending on their progress, strengths, and weaknesses.
Challenge Them: Provide tasks that push their skills while still being achievable. If something is too easy, the student may lose interest; if it's too hard, they may become discouraged.
6. Provide Clear Explanations and Structure
Step-by-Step Instructions: Break down complex ideas into simpler, smaller steps to make them more digestible.
Use Multiple Resources: Incorporate various resources (videos, books, online articles, etc.) to explain a concept from different angles.
Organize Sessions: Structure the lesson so that it flows logically, with each point building on the last.
7. Encouraging Self-Reflection
Self-Assessment: Encourage students to reflect on their own learning and progress. This builds their metacognitive skills and helps them take ownership of their education.
Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: Reinforce that making mistakes is a part of the learning process and an opportunity for growth.
8. Providing Constructive Feedback
Immediate Feedback: Give timely feedback during the session to help students improve in real-time. Focus on both what they did well and what needs improvement.
Specific & Actionable Feedback: Be clear about what the student needs to work on and how they can improve, rather than just pointing out errors.
9. Variety and Flexibility
Vary Activities: Switch up teaching techniques to keep the lessons dynamic. For example, you could alternate between discussions, quizzes, exercises, and games to maintain the student’s focus and interest.
Be Flexible: Some days a student may be more engaged than others, or they might struggle with a particular concept. Be flexible enough to adjust your approach when necessary.
10. Encouraging Independent Learning
Promote Problem-Solving: Teach students how to approach problems on their own, using the resources and tools available to them.
Provide Practice Opportunities: Offer assignments or activities that help students practice independently between sessions.
11. Evaluate Progress
Regular Check-ins: Have periodic assessments or quizzes to evaluate how much the student has learned and where they may need further help.
Adjust Based on Progress: If a student is excelling, you can challenge them with more difficult material. If they’re struggling, you might need to revisit foundational concepts.
12. Adaptability and Patience
Every student is different. It’s essential to be patient and flexible, adjusting your teaching approach as you learn more about each individual student’s needs and learning patterns.