I was a senior business leader for more than twenty years. However, when I began my Ph.D. program in Organizational Leadership, I realized that education is my true passion. As a result, I shifted my education and career focus in an effort to prepare myself to become a teacher.
Now, I am on a journey to help facilitate the learning of students, and to do so while making it interesting. I glean my professional experience an asset to teaching and facilitating student learning, as I have the knowledge, education, and aptitude to teach and tutor at the high school and college level.
Educationally, I have a Post-Master's Certificate in College Teaching, a BA in Financial Management, and a MBA in Business Systems Management. Currently, I am working towards a Ph.D. I am qualified to teach at a college or university.
While I am not a certified K-12 teacher, I do have knowledge of how to facilitate the learning of youth as my Post-Master's Teaching Program covered all aspects of student learning from youth to adulthood. In addition, I am actively pursuing substitute teaching at the high school level starting the 2012/2013 academic year.
I suggest that tutors and teachers are more effective when students are actively involved and take control of their own learning. Hiring a tutor is a good sign that students are motivated to learn, but may have some challenges in doing so. As a tutor, I can help students gain knowledge, and do so while enjoying the learning experience.
My tutoring methods begin with understanding how a student learns best. I first assess student needs, what challenges they face, and what support systems they have in place. Once this has been accomplished, then, in collaboration with the student and their parents, maybe even their teacher {s}, we develop a plan to move the student forward in their learning and development.
Example:
As a volunteer High School teacher for Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland, I observed how their regular teacher lectured to there students, and how uncooperative and bored they were as a result. I used this observation as a learning tool for me so that I would not make the same mistake. I want students to view learning as a privilege, not a task.
My method of delivery/teaching begins with talking not lecturing to students regardless if they are in high school or college. It is important to capture students attention and in most cases, lecturing is not the most effective method.
In this particular High School teaching experience, I used active learning methods such as games, and teams. My facilitation methods worked as the students were motivated, energized, and having fun learning. Not only was I happily surprised by the outcome, but so was their regular teacher.
When the JA program was over, the students were sad to see the course end. In a 7 week period the students had progressed far more than I or their regular teacher had expected. Students that generally were quiet began communicating with others. Students that had a lot to say, were aloud to speak freely. Students that had different ideas on a topic, were allowed to share it with the class, etc.
All of the students passed the course and received certificates. The students even stated they were sad to see the course end. To me as a new teacher, this was real learning progress.
These are some of the methods I will use as I tutor students.
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