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Valerie D. for tutoring lessons in Wickenburg AZ WyzAnt Tutoring Tutor Tutor United States

Valerie D.

The 3 R's Plus with TLC

Wickenburg, AZ (85390)

Travel Radius 40 miles
Hourly Fee $50.00
Discount $42.50 - $47.50 Save up to 15% (i)

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I became a Spec. Ed. teacher in CA in 1990 when it was the teacher's job to design the curriculum and to learn every possible modality to reach each type of learner. Within a few years, I became proficient in Project Read (Phonology, Written Expression, and Comprehension); Breaking the Code; Lindamood Intensive Phonemic System (LIPs); and many more strategies that I can draw upon to make English, Reading, Writing, Math and Study Skills more comprehensible. I also joined The Learning Connection (TLC) as an Educational Therapist. Soon I had my own successful business working with children from Kindergarten through High School until moving to AZ.
Besides a BA and an MS, I have two teaching credentials from CSUDH - Multiple Subject and Special Education (Learning Handicapped.) I substitute teach in Wickenburg to keep up with the standards in AZ.
I can, and do, draw on my extensive repertoire of teaching tools, but in general I believe in a consistent, systematic, measureable approach. I will tell a student "try again" rather than "you're wrong," and will use choice/contrast questions whenever possible ("Is the capital of Montana Helena or Phoenix") rather than direct questions ("What is the capital of Montana?")to help ensure a student's success. That's TLC!

Valerie's Subjects

Math:
English:
  • ACT English,
  • ACT Reading,
  • English,
  • grammar,
  • reading,
  • SAT reading,
  • SAT writing,
  • vocabulary,
  • writing
Test Preparation:
  • ACT English,
  • ACT Reading,
  • ASVAB,
  • CBEST,
  • GED,
  • PSAT,
  • SAT reading,
  • SAT writing
Special Needs:
Elementary Education:
Corporate Training:
  • grammar
Homeschool:

Algebra 1

Algebra seems to make a huge leap from basic math, but it's really quite manageable when you consider a few facts: there are only four operations in math that you can do to an equation; solving an Algebra problem means taking small steps one a time; what you do to one side, you do to the other. There's actually a lot of comfort in its predictability!

Prealgebra

It may sound odd to say that I find Math "comforting" but much of prealgebra is predictable: it follows a pattern; it's always done the same; what you do to one side you do to the other; and there are only 4 math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.) Putting numbers into an equation helps bring structure to confusing situations in real life. Where would we be without math!

Reading

As an Educational Therapist and Special Ed teacher, I've been trained in Project Read (Phonology and Comprehension), Breaking The Code, and Language. When I work with students, I assess their reading and draw on my background to develop a program that meets their needs. The classroom might be "one size fits all" but my sessions are tailored to fit your child's needs!

Elementary Math

Math is more than just adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. It's knowing when to use them! I teach strategies for succeeding on homework and tests. I use fun games to reinforce skills. Math doesn't have to be intimidating: it's actually very reassuring because it follows patterns and it's always done the same way. Let me take the fear out of your child's math assignments!

Elementary (K-6th)

Although most of my teaching career was at the middle school level, I fulfilled my student teaching in elementary school. In addition, I frequently substitute teach in the elementary school and am familiar with the curriculum in AZ. Also, elementary education is comprised largely of language arts (reading, writing, vocabulary) all areas in which I am already certified.

Phonics

As a Special Education teacher and Educational Therapist, I am trained in many phonics programs which qualify me in this area. These include, but are not limited to: Project Read Phonology (also comprehension and written expression); Breaking The Code; LIPS (Lindamood Intensive Phonemic System); and Language! (The exclamation point is in the title of the program.) With this background, I am able to assess the suitability of one program over another or combine them depending on the student's needs... Read More

Study Skills

Using Cornell Notes, the preferred note-taking method used in schools throughout the country, and a studying program with the acronym TIS OPT, which offers students an efficient and effective way of approaching a textbook, along with other strategies I have learned from over 20 years' experience as an Educational Therapist and teacher, I am able to guide students through the process of studying so that their time is productive and their results are the both optimum and painless. In addition, "study... Read More

Special Needs

Although I was credentialed by the State of California to work with Learning Handicapped students (LH students are within average range of intelligence whose performance is at least 2 years below grade level due to deficits in auditory and/or visual processing, dyslexia, autism, etc.)in my fifteen years in LBUSD I also worked with severely handicapped students from 3 - 22 years old. I have significant experience with IEPS, both in advocating for students, and in assessing current levels of performance... Read More

CBEST

The CBEST is the California Basic Educational Standards Test required to teach in the state of CA. I "aced" the CBEST after taking one practice test that appeared in the booklet on the exam. As its name indicates, it covers basic educational standards; since I am certified in many areas of reading, writing, and math, and with my graduate degree and experience, my skills far exceed this test.

Dyslexia

The strategies I have used to be a successful reading specialist are the same ones used for a child with dyslexia. They consist of phonics, "chunking" and comprehension strategies. I also focus on study skills such as Cornell Notes. I cannot "cure" dyslexia, but with strategies and accommodations a child can be successful (including being more confident and less frustrated!)

Read all subject qualifications »

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Valerie's Hourly Rate

Hourly Fee: $50.00

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