Philosophy

Empowering Futures for Nearly 30 Years:

Learning is not a race, never ends, and is a different path for everyone.

My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that personalized, expert guidance transforms not only academic performance but also instills a lifelong love for learning. With a rich history of over three decades in the field of education, I remain committed to providing quality education that goes beyond the classroom, shaping confident, knowledgeable individuals prepared for success in an ever-changing world.

I understand that every student has unique strengths and weaknesses, frustrations, and experiences, and that what works for one student doesn't necessarily work for others. That's why I offer customized learning plans and resources tailored to each student's individual needs at the time they need them most.

As an experienced educator, I believe that education is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. I also believe that with the right support these opportunities become more achievable, even if done in a method that is not necessarily 'mainstream'. I am committed to providing students with the guidance and support they need to succeed academically and professionally.

Qualifications

Licensure

Minnesota K-6 Teaching License

Education

· Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction

-Action Research: Celiac Disease Beyond the Cafeteria

· Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Specialized Training

· AVID: Elementary. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a foundational component of the AVID College Readiness System

· READING: Reciprocal Teaching, Project Read, Orton-Gillingham (I), Lindamood-Bell, Colorado Reading First, Saxon Phonics, 4-Block Methods, AIMS, DIBELS, and Accelerated Reader

· WRITING: Handwriting Without Tears, Step Up to Writing, and 6+1 Trait Writing

· MATH: Every Day Counts, Math & Calendar Math, and Everyday Math

· BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION: Love & Logic and Responsive Classroom

· ASSESSMENTS: ALPINE Achievement, CORE Reading Assessment, Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) Proctor, Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), `Basic Early Assessment of Reading (BEAR), and Response to Intervention

· Technology: Microsoft: Excel, Outlook, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint; Google: Slides, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Classroom

Teaching Roles & Experience

· School Teacher: Preschool Teacher, Grades Kindergarten - Grade 6, Special Education Paraprofessional (Grade 7 & 8); Multigrade Combination Classes: K-4, 1-3, 2-4, 4-6

· Leadership Roles: Team Lead (Grade 2, Grade 6); District/Building Science Collaborator (Grade 2, Grade 6); District Technology Committee Member, District Math Committee Member

· Activity Sponsor: School Newspaper (Collaborative Newspaper Grades 1-6); Student Council (K-6)

· Types of Learning Environments: One-Room Schoolhouse, Military Childcare Center, Private-Business Kindergarten Teacher, Inner-city Public School System, Suburban Community Public School, Rural Community Public School, Parochial School, Charter School, Home School, Private Tutor (In-Person), Online Tutor (College Level)

·Community Speaker: Public Speaker-(School District Teacher Training on Celiac Disease); Health Fair Presenter (Celiac Disease)

· Co-creator/Author/Illustrator/Editor: Celiac Kids Club Children's Magazine (2010-2014)

ABOUT ME

Am I worth the investment?

As a licensed teacher, I offer over 25 years of experience in the field of education, a Masters in Education/Curriculum & Instruction, and training in several multisensory, structured literacy-based intervention systems.

My experiences in education began in a one-room schoolhouse on the plains of Nebraska in 1988 while earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at nearby Peru State College (1990).

After graduation, life's journeys took me to new experiences, which included teaching:

a multi-grade level classroom in an inner-city parochial school in Denver, CO;
preschool on Lowry AFB, Texas;
a private Kindergarten program in a privately owned business in Colorado Springs, CO;
as a homeschooling parent of my own children;
6th grade in a public middle school and 2nd grade in an elementary setting in one of Colorado's lowest-performing districts (proudly teaching in the same district for 10 years);
as a special education paraprofessional in a small rural Minnesota town;
a multi-grade/looping level classroom in a public charter school in Minnesota;
several semesters as a private tutor for an online college student;
as an after-school tutor with a proven 1-year growth minimum per student.

In addition to teaching middle school and elementary school students, I held several leadership positions within the school and school districts. Being deeply involved with my school district committees, I earned my Masters in Education: Curriculum & Instruction (2008, University of Phoenix), My Master In Education Action Research Project focused on Celiac Disease in the Classroom and how it affected students.

As a parent of celiac children, I know first-hand the effects ingredients have on the body, affecting many components of learning and daily life. Raising awareness in schools and the community, I volunteered at Community Health Fairs, offered training to school staff, worked closely with my children's school district to offer a safe meal alternative for gluten-sensitive students, and worked with my daughter to create a children's magazine (Celiac Kids Club Magazine, 2010-2014), gaining support from Gluten Intolerance Group of North America.