Certified Teacher | Reading Tutor for Struggling Readers | Phonics

Shawna A.

Elementary (K-6th)

I am a certified elementary teacher with over a decade of experience supporting students in reading development, literacy instruction, and academic skill building across elementary and middle school settings. Throughout my teaching career, I have worked with a wide range of learners, including struggling readers, English learners, and students who benefit from additional support to strengthen their reading and study skills. A large part of my work has focused on helping students develop foundational literacy skills such as phonics, decoding, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. I regularly work with students in small-group and individualized settings to identify skill gaps and provide targeted instruction that helps them build confidence and improve their reading abilities. My teaching experience also includes middle school English language arts instruction as well as supporting students with academic vocabulary, written responses, and comprehension of both informational and literary texts. In addition, my work with English learners has helped me develop strong strategies for breaking down complex texts, building language skills, and supporting students as they grow into more confident readers and communicators. I am currently completing a K–12 Reading Endorsement through Concordia University–St. Paul, which further strengthens my knowledge of evidence-based literacy instruction. My goal in tutoring is to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, developing new skills, and building the confidence they need to succeed academically.