All of
Sharon’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Sharon’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
Algebra 1
Dear Applicant,
For the past 2 summers, I have participated in a summer Algebra Institute that is a community service offered and monitored and funded by the California State University system to empower students who struggle with Algebra. The institute was free but limited to students in the 6th grade to the 12th.
The institute demanded that I, too, receive professional training in strategies that assist students to untangle the mysteries of Algebra and problem solving. My participation has also peaked my desire to elevate my math skills, so I am registered to take pre-calculus at B.C. in January!!!
I currently possess a multiple subjects credential (K-8)
credential but want to learn more. Come join me!!!!
CBEST
I successfully completed this exam in 1983. I am currently employed to teach grades K-8 with my multiple subjects credential and CBEST passage which is required of all California teachers and substitute teachers.
Elementary (K-6th)
I currently possess a K-8 California multiple subjects teaching credential and have taught for 25 years in the largest elementary school district in California.
Elementary Math
I have taught grades 4-8th for the past 25 years although I prefer teaching math. I am currently accruing additional skills to teach English Learners and additional math to secure a single subject math credential.
For the past two summers , I have taught in a Summer Algebra Institute tha develops the skils of 5th - 9th graders to handle Algebra for the passage of the CAHSEE test.
English
I am a credentialed public school teacher for the last 25 years. I have taught English to 4th-8th graders during these years depending on the job assignment given to me by my principal.
At home, I proofread the professional statements of my daughter,( who is now a college graduate seeking entry to pharmacy school) and was the proofreader for my husband when he was securing his masters in Public Policy.
Grammar
* raised in a home where mother was a grammarian in English and French
* graduated high school with honors in humanities
* can diagram English sentences into the 8 parts of speech.
* Bachelors in Biology ..but edited my husband's master's thesis in Public Administration( California State University, Bakersfield
* edited most of my daughter's technical and literary papers for undergraduate studies in Texas.
* I READ, WRITE, AND SPEAK SPANISH
Prealgebra
When we study prealgebra, I like to closely review some of the building blocks for success in this area like: multiplication tables, lowest common denominators, factor trees, fractions, decimals, variables, one-step equations, two-step equations, recognizing like terms, combining like terms, etcetera.
I believe that the best way to study algebra is to study the LANGUAGE/TERMS of math and apply them to your own life's circumstances. Learning how to think in algebraic terms is analogous to learning another language!!! Yes, I also read, write, and speak Spanish!!!
Reading
All California credentialed teachers are reading teachers first. Although I love math, all children must read well to participate and thrive in American society. I have taught at the third thru 8th grades in my 20 plus teaching career and I can spot early reading problems like vowel sounds, dolch word recognition skills, sentence completion skills, and reading fluency. I am also the child of a first grade reading teacher, an English teacher and eventually a high school counselor.
As a math teacher, I have noticed that the systematic tests are requiring that students be able to interpret more and more word problems in math, so strong reading skills are a must.
Study Skills
As a multiple subjects teacher for the last 20 + years, I have taught the populations of students who have the ability to learn English, Science, Math (including Pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry) but were not in the top tier of high performing students. After I helped these students organize their work, data, and materials in a structured manner, their grades, confidence, and self esteem have improved.
I too, continually enhance my knowledge base by completing professional trainings at UCLA for the SUMMER ALGEBRA INSTITUTE every summer. I have also secured additional training in CTEL and am currently studying the new common core requirements for American schools.
I may be pursuing environmental science studies in the future to use in the oil industry. Thus, my retirement from education has allowed me to recycle myself.