My educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in African American Studies from Eastern Illinois University, earned in 2008, followed by a Master's degree in African American Studies from the same institution in 2011. I have also completed PhD coursework in Humanities at Clark Atlanta University, deepening my understanding of critical thinking, research methodology, and cultural context—skills that inform my approach to literacy and language instruction with...
My educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in African American Studies from Eastern Illinois University, earned in 2008, followed by a Master's degree in African American Studies from the same institution in 2011. I have also completed PhD coursework in Humanities at Clark Atlanta University, deepening my understanding of critical thinking, research methodology, and cultural context—skills that inform my approach to literacy and language instruction with young students.
Since 2021, I have worked as a substitute teacher for Fulton County Schools, primarily at the elementary level, mostly within a single school. My experience spans grades 1 through 5, giving me a broad understanding of how literacy and math skills develop across childhood education. In my first year, I collaborated with a classroom teacher supporting 5th-grade students in meeting ELA standards, explaining assignment instructions during the teacher's absences and reinforcing classroom expectations. My approach emphasizes building foundational skills—helping students sound out words, spell, and construct clearer sentences—while adapting my methods to each grade level's needs.
Beyond whole-class instruction, I have provided one-on-one support for students needing help with reading comprehension and problem-solving, particularly for assessments. During these sessions, I would read alongside students, ask them to identify and define vocabulary words, and check their understanding of a story's main ideas. With 1st and 2nd graders, I focused on writing practice, observing them write to assess comprehension and technique. For 5th graders, I emphasized math fluency, particularly multi-digit multiplication—quizzing times tables and using quick, competitive drills (like solving 15 times 7) to build speed and confidence. This mix of structured practice, one-on-one attention, and interactive techniques has shaped my hands-on, adaptable teaching style.
