Licensed Teacher K-12 (Public/Private) & Certified in Orton-Gillingham

Kristi W.

Elementary (K-6th)

I am a TN Licensed Educator in Grades K-12; during one academic year, I was a Teaching Assistant in Kindergarten. I taught word study groups during the class Reading Block; the Wilson Reading curriculum was applied to strengthen phonics and fluency skills. I have (and continue to) provide Reading support in Grades K-4; using assessments such as the (WADE) while listening to student's read, help me identify specific reading skills to start strengthening. My M.S. in Chemistry experience helps me create a lesson plan using these talents: creating short and long-term goals for the student to strengthen, reviewing and practicing both New and Previously reviewed skills, and sounding out specific phonemes (individual alphabetic letter sounds) that 'build' an English word. When I ask a student to pronounce the word "snap," I show the student the importance of pronouncing each letter sound. What does your mouth say when it sees the letter "s ?" (Example: "s" + "n" + "a" + "p" ) build the word "snap."

Elementary Science

Earned a MS in Chemistry @ MTSU; my thesis was investigating the Smoke Constituents of Bidis Cigarettes. My Research Advisor encouraged me to design an apparatus that would be used to collect the smoke components of a cigarette. While studying for my M.S., I was a Teaching Assistant in Undergraduate General Chemistry Classes @ MTSU. My position paid for my M.S. Graduate Degree. I like to take a complex science concept and break it down into easier parts; then once students understand how each small piece works, I guide them to combining the pieces of information "back" into the original "big" complex question. When students are actively involved in studying science through: investigation, exploration, and experimentation, these activities spark curiosity in the student. A curious student is more likely to want to study the material they need to strengthen.

Phonics

There are five foundational reading skills, when strengthened, build confident + fluent readers. These five are: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Phonemic Awareness = (the student can vocalize the sound each alphabetic letter makes). A, B, C, D, etc. One Example of a phoneme is "what does the letter "A" say? - "A" says "Ahh," "B" says "Buh," and continuing with EACH letter sound of the English alphabet. Phonics = taking individual letter sounds (1 phoneme) + (2nd phoneme) + (3rd phoneme) = 1 word - Example: (C) + (A) + (T) = "Cat," When a student successfully pronounce LOTS of combinations of phonemes, then this student becomes a better reader. I have worked with the same family (individual student(s)) for up to 6 months, 9 months, OR 2 Full Academic Years. Each reading intervention time frame is different for every student.

Piano

I took private piano lessons for 12 years (7 year old - 18 year old). I progressed in skills by studying with 3 different teachers; each teacher helped me strengthen specific skills (music theory, recital performances, and enhancing my "sight reading" skills. Mrs. Zerkle would frequently ask me to play one piece of music I had never played; for four years, the emphasis of my study was music composed by: Chopin, Franz Liszt, Mozart, Brahms, and Beethoven. I enjoy playing the piano as background music for small parties and events. During the Summer of 2023, a girl in High School, asked me to provide instruction(s) for her while she began at a "Beginner Level of Piano." I created piano lessons that included her love of history. Depending on the day, I might practice the piano for 15 - 25 minutes; today, I enjoyed 45 leisure minutes of practicing the piano. My family likes to say IF there is a piano, at any Venue we are visiting, like a (library, museum, bookstore, private home, OR school) then Kristi will find it and begin playing quietly. Sometimes people stop and ask me to teach them a few notes or simple songs. I auditioned for a Music Scholarship before my Freshmen year in college; I have the talent to play the piano well, but I do not have the caliber (nor interest) to play as a performance pianist.

Reading

The focus of my work with Peabody College was twofold: a) testing the efficacy of a Reading Intervention Textbook with the same four students during the School Year. Then using the data, to prepare the lesson plans, that would strengthen student's phonetic and fluency skills. b) applying PBIS (Positive Based Interventions and Supports) with students to help encourage good student behavior and participation in the lesson. I tutor in libraries. Meeting in a library communicates many positive expectations. Libraries are places where people are: provided opportunities to learn, provided furniture to study, and provided access to educational material.