HomeSchool / Academic Coach-Pre-K thru University Level

Fran M.

ADHD

Over the past four years, I have served approximately 10 students with ADD/ADHD. I have ongoing relationships with professionals - psychologists who evaluate students with psycho- educational testing and, more recently, with a pediatrician who specializes in treating children with learning challenges. Most of my students have been with me for years; they require ongoing support. In addition to helping these students with their academic work, I suggest strategies for learning, help to evaluate (with the help of other professionals and educators,) career paths and higher learning opportunities that are often quite accessible once one acquaints oneself with the many resources available. I am available for consulting as well as tutoring.

American History

My degree is in American Studies. This includes a fair amount of US history. And, to address English, I was a high school English teacher - but am now semi -retired.

Anatomy

Hi, I’m a former NREMT and May be able to help. Feel free to get in touch! 210-363-1747 Fran

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Parents: If your child is high-functioning but on the autism spectrum, I may be able to help you. I have experience with those with Asperger's syndrome; I also have experience with students diagnosed, but for which the parent had no in-depth information. I can help with setting up behavioral interventions. Sometimes children engage in repetitive behaviors; a psychologist can help you to set reasonable goals with your child. I can help you if you need some help in implementing these. At the same time, you will want to teach your child self- help skills and if possible, some academics. I will work with you on this.

College Counseling

College Counseling can encompass many areas; here I will explain the limits and extent of my expertise. PRE-COLLEGE - Students, especially first generation college students, (and I do have first hand knowledge of this,) and their parents can benefit from the guidance of a teacher who help the student and family to navigate the process of choosing the correct college, university, or technical school, assist with the mechanics of applications, edit (within the standards of academic integrity) entrance essays, and, on occasion, if necessary, accompany a student to a campus visit. After the field has been narrowed, students can benefit from a consultant who can take an holistic approach - considering academic history and grades, extracurricular involvement, goals, parent resources, and the student's wishes, and giving an honest assessment of future success to the family. Assistance in applying for accommodations - in the cases of students with learning differences is also an area in which I am experienced and have had success. COLLEGE Academic coaching, which includes organization, helping a young student to manage the freedom that comes with living away from home and managing a schedule much different than the regimentation of high school, is a specialty. Subject specific tutoring is also a part of this - except in rare cases when the emphasis remains on organization and planning. For 3 years, I have served students from the San Antonio area and sometimes, beyond. Students served include those from NW Vista, SAC, Trinity U, and UTSA. Long distance students served include those from SMU and Tulane University in New Orleans.

Criminal Justice

Criminology is the study of those in our society who fall outside of the law - outside of the standards that we, as citizens, agree to follow. It is also the study of the way our justice system seeks to deal with these members of our society. Criminology falls under the general heading of Sociology in many colleges and universities because the subject deals primarily with the way that groups of people behave. Criminology can deal with the criminal or the victim. My college courses in Criminology were 1)Criminology, 2)Women and Crime, and 3)Issues in Criminal Justice. This last class was taught in an actual courtroom. The instructor was a popular, retired judge. I have toured a large city jail and have visited Angola in Louisiana - where I attended several parole hearings. ALL three college level classes were fascinating. I have tutored criminology and also have tutored ethics - which is often a required class for those majoring in sociology or criminology.

Dyslexia

About 50% of my clients' children have been diagnosed with dyslexia. Dyslexia can be managed by the modification of lessons - which is just composed of good teaching techniques. Graph paper, larger pieces of paper, manipulatives, and technology that is user-friendly all combine to helping children, teens, and adults to function along with their classmates. Most of the children that I tutor earn A's, B's, and C's. They have pro-active parents who recognize the necessity of working with a good tutor who can modify a lesson, speak with a teacher, and advocate for their dyslexic learner while challenging the student to do his/her best. Learning is important; the way in which one learns can be adjusted to match the needs of each individual.

Elementary (K-6th)

Although my certification studies are in Secondary Social Studies, and I my classroom teaching has been limited to high school and business college, I have tutored elementary students for over 10 years now, and have had outstanding results. The key to helping students to achieve is by gaining their confidence, providing a safe (non- judgmental) atmosphere for learning, and by being skilled enough to approach learning the material in both traditional and non-tradtional methods. For reading, a traditional approach is to read aloud. This is very important, but sometimes allowing a child to read one page and have the tutor (or parent) read the next page provides the child with a break, allows the youngster to hear the written word with the correct pronunciation and inflection, and gives the student some time to absorb amd comprehend the material. For very young children (or those who are essentially non- readers,) an approach is to read most of the text aloud, and to let the child "fill in" some of the words. This builds confidence. The five to ten words that are "learned" can be put in a special notebook and will be the building blocks for future words. In math, manipulatives are often the key to learning concepts that are rather abstract. I use manipulatives even for upper elementary students that are continuing to struggle with basic fact families and multiplication, or "times" tables. Integrating subjects are essential to learning about social studies, science, and art. All students - grade 1 and higher, should be able to write their address and tell you their city and state. This is more than good teaching; this is necessary for safety and survival. A student should also know his or her home (or at least one parent's cell) phone number, and be taught to only give this out to trusted adults. I often give parents suggestions on integrating these subjects at home. Cooking a simple dish from a recipe incorporates the subjects of reading, science, math, and even elementary physics. How many subjects can on

Elementary Math

Elementary Math can be fun! This is my message - and I try to live it. I bring manipulatives for the younger set - an abacus, or just every day items to make the abstract ideas of math visible and tangible for kids. Topics include, but are not limited to: Counting/ Number Recognition/ Writing Numbers/ Adding/Subtraction/Fact Families/ Muliplication Tables/ Divison by Grouping/Long Division/ Word or Story Problems/ Time - including Clocks/AM/PM/ Elapsed Time for older students/ Money - I bring the REAL thing!/ Place Value/ Geometric Shapes/Angles/Percentages%/ Measurements/ + MORE!

English

English is my specialty! HIgh school literature, grammar, writing, vocabulary and more... A lot can be done with a powerful VERB! Let me help your young student to discover the wonders of the English language!

ESL/ESOL

My formal ESL experience includes teaching an Asian (adult) student business English, teaching Dutch and German elementary students (5) and teaching two (2) Spanish adult learners. I have also taught one German adult and one Dutch adult - both at different stages in their English language learning experience. I have also "played" and interacted with children of different nationalities by way of gesture and "invented" sign language. Although I speak no languages other than my native English, I have been successful with students based on my interest and intuition. More advanced students need to learn business etiquette, cultural differences, and idioms. Students generally pick out their workbooks with me and we go from there. I also occasionally go out with my students - to the grocery store, to their children's school, to lunch - in order to help them to better learn the nuances of our customs and our difficult, but rewarding English language.

Government & Politics

I am a former Social Studies teacher. Have taught American Government at high school level. Additionally, I keep up with what is happening in the political arena. It’s not just teaching; I enjoy discussing politics to be interesting. I listen carefully and respectfully to all viewpoints. u

Grammar

The proper use of grammar is important for almost all forms of communication, and is also one of the ways that we are silently evaluated by our professional and social contacts. Good grammar isn’t difficult to learn. If you learn it while you are young, it is nearly effortless, especially if you are around others who speak well. If you are a little older, or an English Language Learner, it may be a bit more difficult, but can be achieved if the student commits to study and, if possible, tutoring. Tutoring can help you over your areas of challenge more efficiently and more quickly. Contact me, and I’ll do my best to evaluate where you are, where you need to be, and let you know how to get there! Looking forward to hearing from you!

Handwriting

Handwriting is very important, yet our schools no longer spend much time teaching this important skill. For over 10 years, I have taught students to form letters, write neatly, and use both capital letters and proper punctuation. As an elementary tutor, I am frequently asked to focus on both print and cursive, and I employ proven techniques to help young students achieve readable and neat penmanship. Handwriting practice takes time and patience. Students can succeed with training in proper writing posture, pencil grip, and letter formation. I bring special manuscript paper and "fat" pencils to help students to practice and perfect their unique handwriting style.

Homeschool

Homeschooling students has been an important part of what I do for the past 3 years. Using the rigorous Texas Tech ISD curriculum, I have successfully homeschooled a 3rd grader, a 5th grader, and a high school student - 11th grade through her graduation. All students have done well. I am also a former high school English teacher with a Bachelor's degree.

Literature

Need help understanding the THEME as well as the PLOT? Need help understanding symbolism, figurative language, dymanic and static characters? Help is here!

MCAT

Your MCAT score will depend upon your knowledge of the "hard" sciences - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics - as well as your VERBAL REASONING score. I have served as an Academic Coach for the hard sciences, but the VERBAL REASONING is where I can really help you shine! Test strategies, pre-tests, study, and post-tests will help you to understand, use logic, and be relaxed for testing day. I am a former NREMT and earned (tied with another individual) the highest score in my state on the National Registry. Please contact me at least 2.5 months in advance for help on this test. We will discuss the best books and the best strategies, and the best plan for you!

Nursing

I’m a former NREMT - and have helped other nursing students with prep for exams.

Phonics

Phonics are so important to reading; learning phonics was the way that I learned to read many years ago, and I think their study is even more important today. Children who learn the sounds for long and short vowels, consonant blends, and unstressed vowels can be directed by the teacher or tutor to "sound out" words and, in doing so, they become more self- directed learners and are able to problem -solve on their own. This allows the student to become more independent, builds confidence, and encourages a lifelong love of reading. Those who say that "there are programs to help "non- readers" learn" and they are correct. We are fortunate to live in an era when those with poor eyesight and severe dyslexia can take advantage of technologies that can help. However, every attempt should be made to help a student learn to read. Academics aside, reading is necessary for all sorts of tasks, from shopping to visiting a doctor's office, to taking the correct dosage of a medicine to caring for one's own children, pets, or just trying to negotiate everyday life. Email, and now - social media - Facebook and Twitter demand some fundamental skills - and are important for peer and family relationships. If your child has been declared a non- reader or below level in reading, you, the parent, should do everything you can to find a tutor, devote the needed time and energy to helping your child yourself, and advocating for your child at school, (or getting your tutor/consultant to do this,) and making reading instruction HAPPEN for your young student. Your child will - (maybe a decade or two later!) thank you many times over. Your child's future success is highly dependent on this one basic skill.

Proofreading

Served as managing editor for my College newspaper Won an award (SE Conference of Journalism) Have been employed as an English teacher - many years beginning with 2001-2002 school year.

Psychology

Have successfully completed university psychology courses — such as educational psychology and adolescent psychology - for my educational coursework. Additionally, I have training from the behavioral hospitals where I have worked - most recently as a teacher. My volunteer work as a “Crisis Line” counselor further demonstrates my knowledge and commitment.

Public Speaking

Public speaking is said to be the biggest fear in America. I can help you to overcome your timidity, to express yourself well, and, will be your coach, your cheering section, and your very honest critic! Speeches to inform, to instruct - or demonstrate, and speeches to entertain are the most common in an INTRO speech class. If you need help crafting your speech, I can help you with that as well as with techniques to help you to overcome any fear of public speaking. For instance, some people find that holding an appropriate prop lessens their anxiety. For others, being excpetionally prepared is the best medicine. Others like to have Powerpoint to assist with the major topics. You and I will work with whatever is allowed at your high school, college, or university. Can also help you with ORAL INTERPRETAION, radio theatre, oral projects, and more! Communications was my minor in college; also, I participated in, placed, and won cash awards in a campus- wide speech contest. After graduation, I was asked to serve as a judge for the contest. Additionally, I taught Business English for a community college; public speaking was part of that coursework. I can help - just contact me!

Reading

Reading is a the cornerstone of your child's academic future. Over the years, I have become sort of a "reading specialist." I have every child read for me - each session - as sort of a warm- up. I will ask what they are reading in school. And, we will discuss that fully. Every child that I tutor should be reading a book at home. From that, we develop a personal dictionary of sorts, discuss the characters, dialogue, setting and plot conflict to aid in comprehension. For younger children, I think that phonics - as well as the Dolch Word lists are a great approach. Students must learn that sounds are represented by letters and that letters create words! There is more to this, of course, and each child needs an approach unique to his or her special way of learning. That is why a tutor can be so helpful!

Social Studies

Social Studies is one of my favorite subjects to teach or tutor. My experience includes teaching World Geography and American Government at the high school level. I have tutored A/P history classes as well. Also, in the spring of 2014, I homeschooled a fifth grader - teaching her American History and enriching her Texas Tech curriculum with info regarding (age-appropriate) current events, cultural awareness, and citizenship.

Sociology

Sociology can be taught in high school or college; I have experience tutoring both. Criminology, criminal justice, women's studies, and college courses such as "Society and the Person," are my areas of expertise. I have an undergraduate minor in sociology as well as "real life experience" working with crime victims as they navigate the difficult maze of seeking justice and attempt to find their "new normal."

Special Needs

Children and adults who have "special needs" always have a story to tell. I am interested in that story, and will work to find a way - whether there is a physical problem, a learning disability, or a combination of the two - to help the student - and the student's family find a way to meet - and perhaps exceed current academic expectations. I have worked with students who have physical limitations as well as students with normal I Q parameters who have learning differences such as ADD, ADHD, short term memory issues, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. I have also worked with younger students who may fall outside of the autistic spectrum, but who have sensory issues or struggles with behavior. I have set up behavior charts, helped parents to identify goals, and monitored students - all with the goal of improved academics, organization, and school success. Often, families ask me to accompany them to the pediatrician or the psychologist's office. Also, I can be there for school conferences. For older students, I can often be a resource for "college style" programs for students who may not be able to enter a traditional college. Many parents - and students - find - that with the right help, the right diagnosis, treatment,and support - that their special needs child can soar - to a productive and happy adult life!

STAAR

Over the past two years, I have successfully tutored several students who have successfully passed their STAAR exams. In the spring of 2014, I have tutored two 5th graders, a 6th grader (who had been with me since June of 2013,) and a 10th grader, (since August 2013,)and all of these students passed their STAAR exams and have been promoted. I use various reading comprehension techniques, vocabulary building, and "released" STAAR tests to help my students to gain confidence and strengthen existing reading and comprehension skills.

Study Skills

Study skills range from the basic - organization, finding a "home" for your materials - including a dictionary, your computer, lots of lined and unlined paper, pencils, pens, etc. TO the MORE SOPHISTICATED: Note taking (not just in class, but also when reading,), use of electronic devices, organizing each subject by color coding, creating a personal dictionary, and more. After all of this is in place, the SQ3R method can be employed for most subjects. In math, understanding is key. For younger students, manipulatives (such as an abacus), working out word problems, "showing work" in each step, and thinking aloud are just a few of the techniques employed. For high school A/P and in college classes, studying is more complex. Together, the student and I work to find a real solution - one that will result in increased understanding and good grades! For over a decade, specific study skills have been included in my tutoring sessions. Also, sharing these techniques with parents helps to insure these skills continue - even after tutoring sessions have been completed.

Writing

Writing is self-expression for everyone! I help students with their writing by giving them prompts to think about, thoughtful subjects (and sometimes visuals,) to explore, and graphic organizers to help "sort out" their ideas as the process continues. Revising and editing are important parts of completing the process. I always include students in revisions; it is important that they are in charge of their own work. Sometimes a complete restructuring is necessary; this can be frustrating, but the end result is satisfying and rewarding. At other times, only minor editing is necessary. In that case, I am happy to point out the grammar and spelling errors - and to help a student to (hopefully!) turn a "B" paper into an "A" paper.