I am a twelve year resident of Mystic, CT. I was born and raised in Fairfield, CT and attended Lauralton Hall for a classical college prep education. I completed a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech and then went to work with IBM. During my tenure there, I studied for, and completed, a Master's degree, also in Mechanical Engineering.
My work has involved various areas of machine design, computer simulation, and system and process optimization (a lot of Math!). I love Math, and the Sciences, and have a lot of applied experience with them. This helps me to find more and varied ways to explain the foundational aspects of Math and Science in problem solving. In my schooling, I was also very well trained in Literature, English Grammar, Writing and the Arts. I am a voracious reader and test in the 99th percentile in Reading Speed and Comprehension. I am currently writing a book (semi-autobiographical).
I am a skilled teacher. With IBM, I taught engineers how to use computer software in their own environment to solve problems of design, or build, or process application. This involved my going to their workplace, quickly understanding their environment and design constraints, and then discovering a way to work within those boundaries to communicate solutions and new techniques. Every interaction or assignment was one-of-a-kind, and I loved the challenge! My feedback scores were always exemplary.
I have been told that I have a special skill at being able to explain complex ideas with simplicity, tailored to the audience’s knowledge set.
I have taught CCD at my church for ten years, for a variety of ages: Kindergartners and early grades, as well as 7th through 10th graders. I love it, and my students respond well to my teaching style and skills. I've had students come up to me years later, to thank me for their experience in my class. I am especially adept at tailoring the style to the student's development level.
I also teach Swimming at the local Y. I have many young students, and two Adult classes (beginners and intermediates). Most of the parents of the children I've taught have made a special effort to commend my teaching, and have requested my classes for their children's subsequent lessons – often rescheduling their children's lessons, just to be in my class! I have been told that I am extremely patient, very structured, committed, and flexible with different types of learners, ages, and abilities. My adult students have often told me how surprised they were at the progress they've made, after years of trying to learn to swim. I am an extremely effective teacher. I recently worked with an autistic adult who was terrified to leave the wall in the shallow end of the pool. With much encouragement and patience, I was able to get him to swim the entire length of the pool, and jump in at the deep end! He was amazed. Although I only have worked at the Y for a year, my supervisor has asked me to get special Certification in order to teach other instructors how to teach.
I am deeply committed to the success of my clients. If a student needs help understanding a difficult concept, I will go to great lengths to understand his or her knowledge set to work within that environment to lead the student to clarity. I will try dozens of ways to get an idea across, to facilitate comprehension. I can help with study skills, test taking skills, reading comprehension, writing, and vocabulary. I love kids and nothing is more gratifying to me than to give a student the gift of learning!
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