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Brittany

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My name is Brittany Holmes and I currently work as a MTSS (Multi-tiered System of Support) Specialist. I have worked with Varsity Tutors a few years ago and I have witnessed tremendous growth among the students I tutored and the students I currently teach now. I have over 10 years experiences in the field of education, working with students from Pre-k to 6th grade with a variety of learning differences. Teaching is my passion and it was also my dream. Today I can say, I am living out my childhood dream with courage and tenacity. I always look forward to meeting new students and families. One of my favorite quotes by Benjamin Franklin states, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." This quote emphasizes why I became a teacher. Students learn best when their needs are put first, they are well engaged, able to lead discussions, and it provides opportunities for students to fail to improve. When this in place, the learning evolves, and we move from teacher-led to student led.

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Brittany’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: CUNY Queens College - Bachelors, Education

Graduate Degree: CUNY Queens College - Masters, Special Education

Hobbies

Interest includes cooking, reading, jogging, working out sometimes, shopping, relaxing, vacationing, and anything related to education.

Tutoring Subjects

1st Grade

1st Grade Math

1st Grade Reading

1st Grade Writing

2nd Grade Math

2nd Grade Reading

2nd Grade Writing

3rd Grade Math

3rd Grade Reading

3rd Grade Science

3rd Grade Writing

4th Grade

4th Grade Math

4th Grade Reading

4th Grade Writing

5th Grade Reading

College English

Comparative Literature

Dissertation Writing

Elementary Reading and Phonics Class

Elementary School

Elementary School English

Elementary School Math

Elementary School Reading

Elementary School Science

Elementary School Writing

English

High School English

K-11th Grade Standardized Tests Prep

Kindergarten Readiness

Learning Differences

Literature

Middle School English

Middle School Reading

Middle School Reading Comprehension

Middle School Writing

Other

Reading

Reading Fundamentals: Phonics and Decoding

Science

Special Education

STAAR EOC Prep

STAAR Grades 3-8 Prep

Test Prep

Vocabulary

Writing

Q & A

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe the fundamental goal of teaching is to foster students' interests in fulfilling a successful education. Setting positive vibes in the classroom will set the tone and atmosphere in the classroom. Giving students the opportunity to express themselves in a respectful manner builds trust and room for success. Students need to feel that you are in their corner and that they can trust you. Without trust, how can a student become successful? My job as an educator is to create a positive atmosphere that will foster learning and independence.

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

Typically I usually will discuss with my students their likes, their interests, and hobbies. I also will discuss with them, asking them what are their strengths and weaknesses in all subjects, and their desires goal that they want to accomplish in tutoring, as well as in the real world.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

As a current teacher, this is my goal and outcome that I expect all of my students to master. Some ways I encourage independent learning is allowing students to read aloud, keeping a journal of the given task (what they are learning), assigning homework tasks and practice help, as well as allowing students to ask questions to build clarity and understanding.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Motivation is the key to build future success in students. Some ways I keep students motivated is by providing treats, a rewards box, an eat with a teacher day, providing a homework pass, etc.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

I always provide visuals for my students to understand the given task. I also include manipulatives and the use of technology to help students understand a given task. Manipulatives allow students to become hands-on and grasp the idea of the content they need to learn.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

For students who are struggling with reading comprehension, I will provide visuals for the students to understand, highlighting technique, and then have students write the concept to what they need to learn. In my classroom, for my students who are struggling, I have provided color coded sticky pads (thin strip), and students will place it next to the paragraph, identifying the details of what they need to know and breaking the paragraphs in chunks.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

Strategies I have incorporated to foster the success rate of my students is applying real-world situations to a concept they need to learn, usage of anchor charts, usage of manipulatives, and most importantly, building a set foundation of trust, respect, and love.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

I am always singing songs or creating a rhyming scheme to help students remember strategies based on the subject area. Incorporating music and songs definitely encourages students to stay on task and motivated.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Some techniques I use are pop quizzes, reflection sheets, and common assessments. Reflection sheets are best because it allows me to see where the students is struggling, and what I need to work on to benefit my student in the long run.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

I definitely encourage my student to feel confident by saying great phrases to make them feel good about themselves, joking around with them so they feel good about themselves, and teaching them that it is okay to make mistakes. I always encourage my students that they will learn from their mistakes to become a better learner.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I evaluate a student's needs on how they respond to others, as well as to me. If they are shy, I would call on them during small group instruction to see if they understand a given task versus whole group instruction. There are also different learners in the classroom, so classroom instruction is always differentiated based on their needs.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

Excellent question. This again is where trust comes into play. Students have to feel that they can trust you, and with that being said, I always develop a sense of trust. As the tutoring sessions proceeds, I will get a better understanding of students that I am tutoring, and take it from there.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

Materials I use are always: the student’s work, so I can see what concept they are learning, technology (iPad if available), visuals aids, and manipulatives.

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