My name is Dr. Nancy, and I have been an educator for over 40 years. My teaching strengths include building positive teaching relationships, identifying where students are challenged most, prioritizing their needs and utilizing their strengths to support needs. For example, if a young student is struggling with sight words but is strong in math, I might write a series of word problems incorporating sight words so the student can practice reading while feeling successful completing the problem. Teachers - and tutors too often focus solely on remediation, targeting deficits not strengths. Research supports that students learn more when they are feeling successful; it builds confidence and increases learning.
My educational background includes a BA in Psychology, and graduate degrees in special education, with areas of expertise in learning disabilities (reading and math), autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and behavior disorders. My doctorate is from the University of Washington in Seattle where I was privileged to worked with one of the premier educators and researchers in the field learning disabilities. Prior to becoming a professor, I taught 5th grade and middle school special education in public schools and an international school in the Middle East. I currently hold the title of Emeritus Professor of Special Education at TCU in Fort Worth, TX. I am semi-retired, live with my rescue dog Lola on a barrier island in southeastern United States, tutor elementary and middle school students four days a week, and love my life!