The acorn falls close to the tree, and my tree is full of teachers! My grandmother was an elementary school teacher. My mother was an elementary school teacher and piano teacher. My sister is an elementary school teacher and piano teacher. My father is a research psychologist in the education field (ISM Teaching Systems). Literally all my life I have been asked by students, parents and teachers to help students who were having trouble. I get tremendous fulfillment from watching someone who has been frustrated finally "get it." In addition to teaching music lessons, tutoring all subjects, and homeschooling my own two children, I have worked for the last 17 years with a private school. There I have taught a wide variety of subjects, but they depend on me the most heavily for high school sciences and maths. I am currently state certified to teach music and high school math, and I am working toward certification in more subjects. Due to my own hunger for education, I am actively pursuing a Masters Degree in Math Education.
When I begin tutoring a new student, my first objective is for us to get to know each other. The student will not be able to receive very much from me until he/she is comfortable with me. Once they feel that I care, they open up and the learning really begins! When I really get a feel for the personality and whatever particular challenges are unique for this person in this class, I am able to determine the best way to communicate the subject and improve the skills. I like to think outside the box to find the best way for that student to have that "got it" moment!
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