Certified Teacher | Math, Reading & Writing | K-12

Heather B.

Creative Writing

I am a published creative writer with a Pushcart Prize nomination and work featured in four literary journals, including Tahoma Literary Review. My experience as an active writer gives me a unique ability to guide students through the creative process from generating ideas to refining voice, structure, and style. I work with writers at all levels, whether they are just beginning to find their voice or looking to polish work for submission or publication. As both a practicing writer and an experienced educator, I bring a deep understanding of craft alongside the teaching skills to make that knowledge accessible and actionable for each student.

Elementary (K-6th)

I am a Pennsylvania-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience working with elementary students in grades K-6 across both general and special education settings, supporting learners in reading, writing, math, phonics, vocabulary, grammar, and foundational academic skills. I specialize in working with young learners who are just beginning to build literacy and numeracy skills, as well as those who need additional support to catch up to grade-level expectations, using structured, systematic, and engaging instruction tailored to each child's unique learning style and needs. I have extensive experience supporting elementary students with IEPs and learning differences, helping them develop the foundational skills and confidence they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Whether a child needs help learning to read, strengthening their writing, building math skills, or simply gaining the confidence to tackle schoolwork independently, I bring both the expertise and the warmth to make learning feel achievable and even enjoyable.

English

I am a Pennsylvania-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience supporting K-12 students in English, reading, and writing across both general and special education settings. My English instruction spans a wide range of skills including reading comprehension, literary analysis, grammar, vocabulary development, essay writing, and research skills, with a focus on meeting each student exactly where they are. I have extensive experience helping students with IEPs and learning differences navigate grade-level English content, breaking down complex material into manageable steps while building confidence along the way. Whether a student needs help keeping up with classroom assignments, strengthening foundational skills, or preparing for standardized tests, I bring both the credentials and the passion to help them succeed.

Grammar

I am a Pennsylvania-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching grammar and language mechanics to K-12 students across both general and special education settings. My grammar instruction covers a wide range of skills including parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, subject-verb agreement, verb tense, and paragraph organization, with instruction tailored to each student's specific needs and grade level. I have extensive experience working with students who struggle with grammar due to learning differences, breaking concepts down into clear and manageable steps and using structured, systematic approaches to help skills stick. Whether a student needs to catch up on foundational grammar concepts, strengthen their writing mechanics, or prepare for a standardized test, I bring both the experience and the patience to help them build confidence and accuracy.

Reading

I hold a Pennsylvania teaching certification and a reading endorsement, with over 15 years of experience supporting K-12 students in both general and special education settings. My reading instruction is grounded in structured literacy and systematic phonics, with hands-on experience using Reading Horizons Elevate as a core instructional program for students working on foundational decoding and fluency skills. I am experienced in administering and interpreting DIBELS assessments for progress monitoring, and I regularly use data to drive instruction and track student growth toward IEP reading goals. I have worked extensively with students who have learning disabilities and reading challenges, developing and implementing individualized reading plans aligned with IEP objectives across a range of skills including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. My approach is structured, evidence-based, and tailored to each learner — with a focus on building confidence alongside skills.

Study Skills

I am a Pennsylvania-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience helping K-12 students develop the study skills and organizational strategies they need to succeed academically. I specialize in working with students who struggle with executive functioning deficits, including difficulties with organization, time management, task initiation, planning, and follow-through, using structured and individualized approaches to help them build sustainable habits. I have extensive experience supporting students with IEPs and learning differences, helping them develop personalized systems for managing assignments, breaking down long-term projects, and advocating for themselves in the classroom. Whether a student needs help getting organized, learning how to study effectively, or building the confidence to take ownership of their academic life, I bring both the tools and the patience to help them get there.

Vocabulary

I am a Pennsylvania-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience building vocabulary and word study skills in K-12 students across both general and special education settings. My vocabulary instruction is embedded in meaningful context rather than rote memorization, helping students understand word meaning, word relationships, parts of speech, prefixes, suffixes, root words, and how to use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. I have extensive experience working with students with IEPs and learning differences who struggle with vocabulary development, using structured and systematic approaches to make word learning stick and translate into stronger reading comprehension and written expression. Whether a student needs to build foundational vocabulary skills, expand their academic word knowledge, or prepare for a standardized test, I bring the experience and the strategies to help them become more confident and capable communicators.

Writing

I am a Pennsylvania-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching writing and composition to K-12 students across both general and special education settings, and I am also a practicing writer with a Pushcart Prize nomination and work published in four literary journals, including Tahoma Literary Review. My writing instruction covers the full range of skills students need, including sentence structure, paragraph organization, essay writing, research writing, grammar and mechanics, and developing a personal voice, with instruction tailored to each student's grade level and goals. I have extensive experience working with students with IEPs and learning differences who struggle to get their ideas on paper, using structured and systematic approaches to break the writing process into manageable steps and build confidence alongside skill. Whether a student needs help with a single assignment, wants to strengthen their overall writing skills, or is interested in exploring creative writing, I bring both the teaching expertise and the writer's perspective to help them find their voice.