Creative • Experienced • Interactive Teacher

Michelle D. S.

Basketball

Throughout my childhood to young adult years, I was constantly identified by my team coaches and summer camp counselors as a natural athlete. Even though I played (3) other sports during this time, basketball became, and remains, my favorite. My development as a basketball player began at Cobbett Jr. H.S. (1976-1979) in West Lynn, MA. Our greatest accomplishment was NEC Champions in 1979. Then at Lynn Classical H.S. (1979-1982), I earned the distinction of being the 1st Girls' basketball player to score 1,000 points. My season averages (LCHS, 1982) were 28.2 ppg & 18.2 rpg and I was selected as NEC Player Of The Year. In 1992, LCHS honored me with induction into the Athletic Hall Of Fame. When deciding on where to attend college, it was imperative that the best combination of academics & athletics were available. So, after sorting through multiple scholarship opportunities, I matriculated to Brown University. My college career statistics & honors (1982-1986) were 3rd All-Time Leading Scorer, 2nd All-Time Leading Rebounder, Led Team In Rebounding (1983-1986), 1st Team All-Ivy (1983-1986), Ivy League Champions (1984 & 1985), Ivy League Player Of The Year (1984); Fast Break All- Region: 1st Team ; Athletic Hall Of Fame (2000). Following college graduation, my basketball skills gave me the opportunity to travel with Athletes In Action (AIA): Brasil/Peru/Ecuador Tour (Summer 1986); Sports & Cultural Exchange Int'l (SCEI): Brasil/Peru/Mexico Tour (Summer 1997); AIA U.S. Camp (Oct. 1997); European Professional League (EPL, 1986): KFUM-Uppsala; Uppsala, SWEDEN and the United States Basketball League (USBL, 1988-1992). Additionally, I successfully coached (2) winning teams: at my college alma mater and the junior team of KFUM-Uppsala. With my vast experience, knowledge, and continued passion for the game of basketball, I welcome any opportunity to "pay it forward."

Bible Studies

My credentials/experience in Bible Studies spans (38) years, beginning at age 8. I completed weekly bible study lessons, year-round, in my church school class & summer camps. Upon making an official commitment to my Christian faith (Nov.1, 1982), I engaged in regular studying of the Scriptures along with daily prayer and meditation. This initial, official commitment of being a Christian - living by the principles of the Bible - is the foundation of my lifestyle. Whenever asked: why are you always optimistic? or why do you have such great faith about everything? I reply: "My faith in GOD & the promises of His Word (The Bible)." My life journey is a testament to "all things work together for good to them that love GOD and are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) As I am on the verge of living the best years of my life, I excitingly anticipate realizing GOD's blessings according to Ephesians 3:20 (personalized): "...exceeding abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that worketh in me."

Business

My professional experience in business includes employment as a Radio Communications Rep. @ Motorola, Inc., a Fortune 500 company where I secured an average of $10,000 per month in contracts (1987-1988) and then took time to write my business plan & establish my consulting business, Mission Possible: Collaborative in Sept. 1990. (My desire to be an entrepreneur arose at age 14 and it was further inspired by role models in my family.) MP:C offers creative, original, and personalized consulting services in the areas of business development, desktop publishing, and marketing & public relations. Due to various factors beyond my control, MP:C has been moderately successful w/100% client satisfaction. My determination, faith, and "never give up perseverance" has sustained/continues to sustain me through all of my personal & professional challenges and been rewarding in celebrating my successes. MP:C has (3) subsidiaries, which are in their development stages, (i) S.T.R.I.V.E. (1990)— Success Through Resilience Imagination Values Education is a college scholarship fund & entrepreneurship training program for urban youth (10-16) & young adults (17-22) of color.(ii) M.D. Smith Publications (2002)—a marketing & p.r. entity that promotes the published creative writings of M.D. Smith; talented, creative writers identified by M.D. Smith Publications; and offers internet-based, educational products with proven results. (iii) C.A.S.H., Inc.— (2006) Cash Asset Services Holdings, Inc.— facilitates commercial & residential real estate investment/notes transactions. My best is yet to come ; and when it materializes, I look forward with great elation to being a "next level mentor" & philanthropist.

Career Development

My career development experience has been successful w/youth & progressively successful in my ongoing endeavors as an entrepreneur. All of my former students are thriving in their desired college education or professional pursuits. Some continue to stay in touch and share their progress reports, which is my greatest reward as their former teacher/mentor. My professional success has been laden with frustrating obstacles. Regardless, through my faith & "never give up perseverance", I have been fortunate to realize moderate success and am on the threshold of the breakthrough that will finally reflect my deserved ROI. I am excited & faithful with anticipation about all that is ahead as I continue to dba Mission Possible: Collaborative (Est. Sept. 1990).

Desktop Publishing

My credentials/experience in desktop publishing has been primarily based in my professional responsibilities, dba Mission Possible:Collaborative (Sept 1990 - Present). My desktop publishing projects have included (i) MP:C Logo (ii) Newsletters (ii) Advertisement Flyers/Postcards (iii) Brochures (iv) Event Invitations (v) Business Cards. Additionally, I am an active member in the Media Ministry at my church home. My volunteer commitment includes proofreading & making any necessary edits to our weekly announcement bulletin, designing event flyers, editing documents for distribution, and occasional event video recording. My proficiency in desktop publishing software includes Microsoft Publisher (Advanced), Adobe Photoshop/ Illustrator & Quark Xpress (Intermediate).

Elementary (K-6th)

During my 30+ years of experience, my range of tutoring students has included diverse ethnicities, economic classes, learning challenges (ADD / ADHD / Executive Functioning Disorder / Minor Dyslexia / Remedial Studies), and levels of education (elementary to college). My primary area of academic expertise is English/ELA. However, I am equally competent and have had consistent success in tutoring students in Homework Help, Mathematics, Organizational & Study Skills, and Test Preparation. My primary learning tools in tutoring K-6 students is to: (i) talk on their level of understanding (ii) always read instructions then proceed to help them complete their assignments via a step-by-step process so that they develop transferable logical & critical thinking skills (iii) utilize creative, life application learning tools that will help them recall "association examples" when needed next time.

English

English is my primary area of academic expertise. My expertise includes: grammar, reading, vocabulary, writing, editing & proofreading. Additionally, I have a gift in creative writing and am pursuing self-publication of my collections.

General Computer

My proficiency in "General Computer" includes: knowledge of the fundamental basics of efficiently and safely operating a computer (including free software tools, i.e. anti-virus software and System Mechanic); customizing screensavers; terminology of hardware and software and their functional uses; set-up of personalized database and info. organizational systems; and effectively using the Internet.

Grammar

My expertise in grammar(and overall English language skills) is a result of excelling in my formal education and consistent consciousness of daily verbal communication and sentence structuring when writing.

Microsoft Publisher

My credentials/experience with MS Publisher spans (20)+ years, dating back to being an undergraduate college student. My proficiency in MS Publisher is "Advanced." My use of MS Publisher has been for volunteer & professional commitments: My desktop publishing projects using MS Publisher (Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop and Quark XPress) have included:(i)MP:C Logo (ii) Newsletters (ii) Advertisement Flyers/Postcards (iii) Brochures (iv) Event Invitations (v) Business Cards. Additionally, I have had a 100% success rate in teaching business clients & friends with effectively using MS Publisher for their desired needs.

Microsoft Word

My proficiency in Microsoft Word includes all features and consistent use. A few sample projects include: formatting all types of documents (e.g. business plans, essays, letters, proposals, resumés).

Proofreading

My expertise in proofreading & editing all forms of writing is demonstrated consistently and successfully dba Mission Possible:Collaborative (Sept. 1990 - Present).

Public Speaking

My interest, experience, and ability in public speaking was initially proven by earning a grade of "B" in the "Persuasive Communication" class that I enrolled in my junior year at Brown. It was further qualified by receiving & accepting several motivational speaking/presentation engagements. As a result of the consistently positive response, public/motivational speaking has become a complimentary service that I offer through my consulting business.

Reading

My experience in helping reading students improve their skills has always resulted in consistent progress. Although I have never had the opportunity to be certified in Orton-Gillingham reading instruction, I intuitively have taught and tutored using the methods and received hands-on training at the Boston Learning Center (1997-2007).

Study Skills

My track record in helping students establish effective study skills has been 100% successful. This success rate is due to my natural ability to be highly organized, strategic, and time efficient in all that I do. The best testimonials would come from my former students and my personal experience as a student-athlete & entrepreneur. It was challenging to balance academics with my varsity athletic commitment at Brown. Regardless, through discipline and determination, I graduated with a 3.0 GPA - earning a dual B.A. in Organizational Behavior & Management and African-American Studies.

Vocabulary

My consciousness & desire to continually build my vocabulary is ongoing. Whenever I read a word that isn't familiar or I can't determine it's meaning within context, I look it up in a dictionary and identify a means to remember it (usually by its root spelling). Whenever I write, I am meticulous in avoiding redundancy and being brief, detailed and "to the point." These are the same building tools that I have always used to teach all of my students and use in requested motivational/public speaking engagements.

Writing

Writing (and Creative Thinking) is foundational to my consulting business. My expertise is comprehensive in personal & professional writing, with consistent proven results that span 20+ years.