As a high school and college student I excelled in academics, graduating in the top 10% of my class, while also juggling a demanding extracurricular schedule. But I also know what it is to feel overwhelmed, behind, and struggling. I can help with you organization, time management, and study skills IN addition to content knowledge.
I can also help you grow or enrich your life in certain areas--art, language, writing, voice--perhaps learn more in an area of interest or develop a talent. Those endeavors have also been the most enriching for my life.
A little background...
I earned my undergraduate degree from Bates College, a highly selective, private liberal arts college in Maine. There I studied Sociology, English, and French. As a senior, I wrote two theses in English and Sociology. I was awarded honors for the Sociology thesis.
After college, I earned a Masters of Science in Teaching from Pace University here in New York.
During this time, I was also working as part of the highly selective Teach for America program. I taught middle school for 3 years, earning high marks as a teacher dedicated to student achievement. I developed systems for tracking student progress that ensure results. I'm experienced with struggling students as well as those who excel. I also developed and ran an after school tutoring program in Math and English. I worked with my students to help them learn study skills and how to approach their education more effectively and independently. My results speak for themselves.
Here's a picture of my results and accomplishments from those 3 years:
• Promoted to teach 8th grade magnet program targeting honors students.
• Designed and implemented school-wide student achievement data tracking system.
• Developed and led school-wide professional development workshop for over 100 teachers, staff, and administrators.
• Raised student achievement rates from 58% to 81% testing at or above grade level on NY State English Language Arts (ELA) Exam
• Ranked highest performing and highest percentage of improvement among any 8th grade class (out of 13 classes) on ELA exam.
• Piloted and designed innovative technology in the classroom programs, coordinating with outside consultants.
As a General Education and Special Education Team Teacher, I...
• Raised general education students from 8% reading at grade level to 82% at year end. Pushed special education students from 0% reading at grade level to 72% at year end.
• Monitored data for 60 students, tracking progress and targeting weaknesses. Assessed student needs and differentiated instruction.
What motivates me to help others learn and achieve, is my own passion for results and for learning. I am 100% dedicated to helping you grow measurably, but beyond that, to helping you learn how to continue that process long after we're done working together.
I am extremely down-to-earth, flexible, and caring. I'm never intimidating, always sensitive to your needs and desires, and absolutely love working with people--wherever they're at. I'm incredibly patient and persistent. I can be as intense or relaxed as you prefer, and have learned to adapt to many different learning styles. Ultimately, I'm confident in my ability to help you grow and to watch you excel. In essence, I'm confident in your ability to succeed.
Some additional background:
Standardized test scores:
SAT = 1380
SAT IIs - Writing/Verbal = 780
AP US History = 5
AP English = 4
Editor of high school newspaper which won Best in New England.
I have extensive experience as a writer, but also as a teacher of writing--research, essays, reports, creative, fiction, poetry, etc.
I'm also experienced in Power Point, Word, iMovie, Abobe PageMaker, and Photoshop. I've created many presentations personally, and also helped over 60 students who had no basic computer knowledge create extensive Power Point presentations.
I also have significant training in reading achievement programs, including: Columbia University's Teacher's College, the Wilson Reading system, and Great Leaps.
But, what's the point of all that? Just to make sure you know that I am qualified, accomplished, and dedicated.
But, my real credentials aren't in those numbers. They lie in my sincerity and my personal story--my desire to help others achieve. I, myself, have struggled as a student at times, or have not been very good at something. It took someone's careful guidance, my own dedicated practice, and learning from my mistakes to improve. I am here to help, because I know! I've been there! And I've seen results!
I can't wait to work with you!