Erica: Portsmouth tutor
Certified Tutor
I am currently a Texas certified teacher in Special Education EC-12 and English Language Arts 4-12. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX. During my studies as an undergraduate, I worked as a teachers aid at St. Martins Hall Catholic School for a multi-age/grade classroom with a mix of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. The following year I was a teachers aid for the Special Ed. resource classroom where I did one-on-one instruction with students. After graduating with my B.A. in English I was a substitute teacher for Northside Independent School District for two years honing my classroom management skills and working with at-risk youth at Anson Jones Middle School.
In my last three years of being a classroom teacher I gained an ample amount of experience. In 2008-2010 I managed and taught a population of at-risk foster children in a higher academic behavior unit. I have worked with a vast variety of students from K-5th grade Special Education at a Title I campus. I was the Inclusion/Resource teacher, however, I also worked with some Life-Skills students, as well as doing 4th grade co-teaching. My first year as a teacher I taught ESL at a catholic high school.
I would like to work for you because I have the patience and experience. I also prefer teaching one-on-one and small group. Currently, Im subbing for Northside Independent School District. Outside of academics I enjoy creating music. I sing and play guitar. I also volunteer in my community by organizing and educating musicians and artists about technology, and the business of the music industry.
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Undergraduate Degree: Our Lady of the Lake University - Bachelors, English
Singing, Playing Guitar, performing music with a band. And watching movies.
- Adult ESL/ELL
- Algebra
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Writing
- English Grammar and Syntax
- ESL/ELL
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Music
- Music Recording
- Other
- Songwriting
- Special Education
- STAAR Prep
- STAAR EOC Prep
- STAAR Grades 3-8 Prep
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
- Vocal Training
- Voice
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching Philosophy is student-centered, and I like to teach my students how to be independent thinkers and learners. I have more of a guided approach to teaching. I believe in incorporating modeling, visual, and auditory aspects to my teaching approach. I also believe that the teacher is not always right and the student has much to teach me as well. It's more of a two-way street philosophy of learning.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would have a fun warm-up or icebreaker to get comfortable with the student. I'd do an introductory lesson that's getting to know the student's likes and interests. An informal assessment to see where the student is at and what they may need help with on future lessons so I can see strengths and weaknesses.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Teaching them to become organized. A daily agenda. Setting Goals. Learning from past mistakes.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Don't set them up for failure. Make lessons fun and explain directions before an activity. Hands-on activities.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Give examples. Draw a picture. Whatever it takes to make them understand. Breaking it down in steps. Have the student repeat what they have learned or show me what they already understand.