Courtney

Certified Tutor

My journey to and through education is a long one because I am a life learner. I received my B.S. in Business from Judson College in Marion, AL. A few years later I went to the University of Alabama and received my Class B Teaching Certification in Special Education Collaboration K-12 which encompasses all ability levels, including Gifted. After that, I taught special education inclusion and small-group classes at a middle school in a metro Atlanta, GA suburb for 4 years (6-8 grades and all subjects). There, I was the lead special education teacher for a staff of 20 and passed the Praxis for Teaching Reading for middle school. For the next three years, I held the same kind of teaching position at a junior high school in Bibb County, AL. I continued my teaching career at a rural high school just outside of Selma, AL. My position again consisted of inclusion teaching and small group classes in all subjects and grades 9-12. After 5 years in that role, I made a change to general education in the same high school and did so by passing the Praxis in the area of English/Language Arts for grades 6-12. While teaching 10th-grade English and providing special education accommodations to my students, I served as the school's 504 coordinator. I earned my Master's in English Education for grades 6-12 from the University of West Alabama. Before the 5 years I taught 10th grade English passed, I began work on my Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leader at the University of West Alabama. Throughout all of those years of teaching middle school and high school, I tutored students at school in many subjects, especially reading, writing, math, and ACT prep during and outside of school hours. Next, I received a dream opportunity to join the faculty at an Alabama State Community College teaching Freshman English Composition I & II and American Literature I & II as I completed my Master's in English coursework from the University of West Alabama. During my first year in that position, I completed the coursework to earn my Ed.S. degree. I am currently in my 5th year of teaching college English.

I am approved to tutor A LOT of subjects:
ACT English, ACT Writing, Algebra Pre-Algebra, Biology, Business, CLEP, CLEP American Literature, CLEP College Algebra, CLEP English Literature, College English, College Level American Literature, Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Dissertation Writing, English, English Grammar and Syntax, Expository Writing, Writing, Fiction Writing, Government, High School Business, High School English, High School Government, High School Level American History, High School Level American Literature, High School Reading, High School Writing, History, Honors Algebra, Learning Differences, Literature, Math, Middle School English, Middle School Writing, Personal Finance, Reading, SAT Reading, Social Studies, Special Education, Test Prep, Thesis Writing, World Literature, and Writing,

My favorite subjects to tutor are biology, English, math, literature, and writing because these are common trouble subjects that I can make easier for students. When I'm helping students and showing them different ways to understand various subjects, my students often say, "Why didn't my teacher explain it that way?" I incorporate the many accommodations and differentiation techniques I have learned over my 22-year teaching career. I am passionate about helping students succeed in areas in which they have struggled by teaching them tools to apply themselves as they continue to progress. When I work with students I use scaffolding to provide students with support and opportunities to work independently. Often I will incorporate alternative learning scenarios utilizing different learning styles and graphic organizers. I believe that all students can learn all subjects and find success along with increased self-esteem. Building relationships with my students is the key to the success they experience. As a teacher/tutor, my roles range from mentor to coach.