Hi! I'm Patty. After homeschooling my four children I graduated magna cum laude from Clearwater Christian College with a BS in General studies, a minor in Bible, and concentrations in education and social studies. My 13 years in the classroom have been spent in K-8th grade as a classroom lead teacher and Reading Specialist. I have tutored individual students and small groups throughout my teaching career.

Having written my senior thesis comparing math education in the U.S. and Japan, I am convinced that conceptual understanding is vital to the success of math students. Clear understanding enables students to build the solid foundation necessary for continued achievement in math. Because of this viewpoint, I make continual use of manipulatives and illustrations to ensure that students comprehend the concepts being taught in their math lessons.

Perhaps because I was one of the oldest students in my own first-grade class, and the only student who had not attended kindergarten (thus the only non-reader in the group), I have a clear recollection of learning to read through a phonics approach. This first-person experience has proven very helpful as I have sought to help students "break the code" and become full-fledged readers. I am aware of the typical misconceptions and misunderstandings and can guide students to success in reading - both in the mechanics of decoding and in the more advanced skills of comprehension.

As a teacher, I understand that it is imperative for children to have a good experience with academics in order to instill a desire for life-long learning. I have personally observed the damage that can occur to a student's motivation when he/she is treated like a 'number' and 'lost in the crowd'. Individualized attention with a tailored study plan to match each student's abilities and needs is my recipe for success.