
Rita
Certified Tutor
I am a 2011 graduate of East Carolina University, NC, with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education along with a concentration in Reading. While attending ECU I gained student teaching experience on the first through fifth grade level, in both suburban and urban school districts.
Throughout my teaching experience I have taught in Title 1 schools teaching third and fourth grade. This position allowed me to provide students with integrated and diverse instruction. I have a background in special needs and used that in my day-to-day classroom environment. Throughout my experiences I have been trained in many intervention programs for both Language Arts and Math such as; Read 3D/DIBBLES, Study Island, Compass, Write from The Beginning, and more. I am enthusiastic about engaging students in a creative learning setting.
It is my objective to bring my variety of knowledge with my aptitude to be a compassionate, intelligent and a creative teacher who will make a positive addition to your child's education .
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Undergraduate Degree: East Carolina University - Bachelors, Elementary Education
Hobbies/Interests: Working with children, reading, visit historical venues for US history, cooking
- Elementary School English
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- ISEE- Primary
- Math
- Middle School English
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Phonics
- Reading
- Science
- Special Education
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Every child wants to learn; we just have to teach them.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
At a first session, I would spend time learning the needs of the student, as well as the best way to address those needs.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I believe in an "I do- we do- you do" model with a gradual release of responsibility.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Positive correction is a great way to instruct and move a student through a process.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Once the gap in understanding is found, I believe the best thing to do is back up one step. Reinforce the skill set prior to the concept, and then break down the new skill or concept a different way than originally introduced. I use manipulatives as needed to increase/sustain understanding.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When having struggles with comprehension, I feel it is best to use a level of books a child can read independently, align with text-dependent questioning. Asking students to not only answer a question but to locate in the story the specific information that helped then answer the question.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found observing students working on preferred activities such as reading a preferred book or math concept will give a good understanding of a student's ability. Asking questions as the student works about their thoughts and the processes they are working through.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Positive praise is a great tool when encouraging work on a non-preferred task.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I find asking a student to explain back the process of the task is a great check for understanding. Also, having the students apply the taught concept to a secondary task.