My philosophy for life and education run on parallel roads. I believe the teacher or tutor's role is to educate, train and inspire a student to be less sponge and more active and participatory self educator. Process and product are equally important. The ultimate goal of education is to use knowledge for the good of the community and the world so I strive to teach thinking along with the subject. I want children to love school.
I believe the arts are an important part of academia because the fuller the brain the greater the overflow. By diversifying a child’s cultural portfolio, we increase the level of understanding of others, and scope of options thus giving students a greater insight into the need for creative solutions to life’s challenges. To help assure constructive problem solving, multi-cultural reading material will be used when applicable.
A “fast food” culture often includes “fast food” thinkers. I search for ways to build on individual strengths through Multiple Intelligence Strategies which enhance individual uniqueness and gifts. I want children to want to learn, not just have to learn.
“Whatever You Do, Make an Art of It” was the motto of my art school, The Children’s Art Center where students actually created and published a comic book. At Santa Cruz Gardens School I ran a student publishing center which incorporated many language arts skills (i.e. writing, grammar, penmanship, etc.). The contribution of these books towards a child’s recognition of his or her own potential was enormous.
My BA is in Liberal Studies/Creative Arts from SJSU and my K-12 multi-subject BCLAD credential from Chapman Univ. I was the recipient of the San Jose State Drama Dep’t. Kaucher-Mitchell Fellowship for Storytelling and Oral Interpretation, and I include good speaking skills along with Language Arts and reading help. I’m mid-way to my MaT. at Chapman University. I’ve taught, tutored (and even coached soccer) in local schools for 25 yrs. and raised all four of my children here. K-6 is my preference.
See you soon!
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