Creative and compassion teacher specializing in ELA and Writing

Rachel S.

I'm Rachel, a teacher with over 12 years of experience teaching both regular and special education students. I have a BS in Inclusive Childhood Education and English from Houghton College, and a MFA in Creative Writing from Lindenwood University. I hold multiple teaching certificates and have taught all subject areas, but my passion is for teaching literature and writing to middle and high school students.

I believe that learning is a collaborative exchange between individuals who have a genuine respect for one another. That respect begins by getting to know my students. Every student has unique strengths and areas of need, and it is my job as an educator to meet them where they are in order to guide their progress forward. I believe this is especially true for adolescent learners who are in a unique stage of their development, becoming more aware of their personal identities and how they can use their unique strengths to contribute to their communities.

I am especially passionate about teaching literature and writing because I believe that everyone needs to be able to communicate effectively. No matter what a student's future may hold, they must be able to hear and evaluate the ideas of others, and express their own thoughts as well. I have seen firsthand how a student's confidence and overall academic achievement grows as they increase their ability to read and write fluently. Whether I'm teaching a student to write an essay, craft a short story, or draft a cover letter, I aim to help them discover their unique writing voice.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you make progress toward your academic goals!