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Michigan Certified Teacher: Specializing in K-2nd Using Games
Ellen S.

5.0 (7 ratings)

137 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $65
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Response time: 9 minutes

About Ellen

Bio

Does your child enjoy learning through games? If so, I may be able to help! I am a certified former elementary school teacher having left the classroom in the fall of 2016, having been a certified teacher since 2002. During my years in the classroom, I taught 1st-3rd grade. My former school district used the Common Core for many years, so I have been teaching Common Core skills for a while now and I understand them well. I also taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, and DK students at a hybrid...

Does your child enjoy learning through games? If so, I may be able to help! I am a certified former elementary school teacher having left the classroom in the fall of 2016, having been a certified teacher since 2002. During my years in the classroom, I taught 1st-3rd grade. My former school district used the Common Core for many years, so I have been teaching Common Core skills for a while now and I understand them well. I also taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, and DK students at a hybrid homeschool for 5 years. I am still active in curriculum development. Although I have not been trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, I am somewhat familiar with it. I have completed my IXL certification.

I specialize in reading and math instruction, and can help with homeschooling as well (planning, teaching, assessing, and working with parents on how to help their child). I specialize in working with students performing at a kindergarten-2nd grade level. When teaching reading, I use a phonics based approach. I am constantly learning more about the Science of Reading to improve my teaching.

I love to use hands-on learning games and activities to help with tutoring students to make their tutoring time engaging and fun! As a former teacher, I am very willing to hear about what your child's teacher is doing and the methods that are or are not working for your child so that I can better teach your child.

I am excited to have the opportunity to work with students and help them to reach their full potential and to hopefully inspire in them a lifelong love of learning!

My educational background & certifications include: B.A. elementary education & history at Michigan State University (2001), M.A. curriculum with a focus on literacy at Michigan State University (2007), Michigan certified teacher since 2002 (currently certified as well), and continuous professional development.

***I have additional references available as well***

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Education

(Attended) Michigan State University
History and Elementary Education
(Attended) Michigan State University (Curriculum with a Literacy Focus)
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $65
  • Rate details: I will wait 10 minutes from the scheduled lesson time before signing off, unless I hear from you. I do offer multiple sibling and homeschool discounts (both 6+ hours per week)
  • Lesson cancellation: 8 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 3/7/2024

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Common Core

Common Core

I taught in a local public school from 2001-2016. My district used the CCSS, and I was expected to follow it while teaching. I used small group instruction throughout the day including for reading and math instruction.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

I am currently a certified elementary grades teacher. I have been a certified teacher since June of 2002. I have experience teaching grades 1-3 (including multiple 1st/2nd split classrooms). I was a substitute teacher in grades K-5 before that time. I have tutored students over the years as well.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

I used a guided math approach in my 1st-3rd grade classrooms differentiating instruction for all of my students. I love to use games and activities as much as possible.
Elementary Science

Elementary Science

I taught science to my 1st-3rd grade students using many different approaches including experiments, reading, games, and projects.
Grammar

Grammar

I taught grammar and usage to my 1st-3rd grade students.
Handwriting

Handwriting

In being a classroom teacher, I have experience teaching both printing as well as cursive for 14 years. I taught handwriting several days each week, and my students knew that I had high expectations for them doing their own personal best. When I taught 2nd grade, students were able to ear a "cursive license" allowing them to complete all of their class assignments in cursive by demonstrating to me that their cursive was legible at all times.
Homeschool

Homeschool

I worked at a hybrid homeschool for 5 years. I have worked with a family online in helping them to homeschool their son for the past 5 years. I also I helped a family to homeschool their son in person. I met with the child 4 times each week for 2 hours each time. In this time, I taught, and assessed: reading, word study/spelling, grammar, writing, math, science, and social studies. I am a certified former elementary school teacher having left the classroom in the fall of 2016.
Phonics

Phonics

I have 14 years of experience teaching reading through the use of phonics in kindergarten through 3rd grade. I also have my M.A. in curriculum with a focus on literacy instruction. In addition, word study was a daily component in my classroom.
Praxis

Praxis

I am a Michigan certified elementary school teacher with more than 20 years of teaching experience (having maintained my certification over the years with professional development). I earned my B.A. in history/elementary education, and my M.A. in curriculum with a focus in literacy. During my many years in the classroom, I worked closely with 2 different local colleges of education as I hosted more than 10 student teachers in my classroom.
Reading

Reading

M.A. in curriculum with a focus on literacy

Examples of Expertise

Ellen has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Ellen ’s answers ›
Ellen S.'s Photo

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Response time: 9 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (7 ratings)
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Reviews

I think Ellen will be a big help

We had only one session with Ellen so far, but I really liked what she did. She mixed up the session so it went by fast and my son didn't seem to get bored. I think Ellen will be a big help to him and can't wait to see his growth.

Michele, 25 lessons with Ellen
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much! I am looking forward to working with him tomorrow and continuing to see growth! :)

Hourly Rate: $65
Response time: 9 minutes
Contact Ellen