Experienced educator specializing in upper elementary

April L.

Hi, I'm April, an educator with 30 years of classroom teaching experience. I graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelors in Liberal Studies and then got a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction at California Lutheran University. I am a fully certified and credentialed teacher currently teaching a class of wonderful fifth graders.

I have been a fifth grade teacher for 16 years and specialize in the pivotal transitional years of upper elementary to middle school. Before that, I taught first grade for eleven years, which allowed me to develop expertise in phonics, literacy, and foundational writing. I now bring these skills to my fifth graders in need of remediation before they enter middle school. I have successfully raised many students up to grade level with these services both in the classroom and during my 10 years of tutoring experience in one-on-one and group settings. In these tutoring sessions, I also love working with students who are already excelling and encouraging continual growth and learning that may not be available in their classrooms.

Due to my many years in the classroom and my Masters degree, I am well versed in a wide variety of curriculum and pedagogical approaches. Notably, I have specialized experience with numerous math programs, especially Common Core programs that focus on explaining the "whys" of math and not just the "hows," leading to much higher math literacy for students of all levels. Additionally, I consistently attend trainings and optional professional development to stay current with the latest needs of our students. I look forward to hearing from you and helping your child reach their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning!