Kathy: Tacoma tutor

Certified Tutor

I am beginning my 29th year of teaching. I started my career teaching Math for grades 7-8 for one year, then Science for grades 8-9 for three years. I then moved on to teaching elementary grades. I have taught all subjects for 5th grade while specializing in Science. Most recently, I have been teaching a self-contained 4th grade classroom.

I love helping children learn and make discoveries. There is nothing more exciting to me than watching a "light bulb turn on" in a student's mind. I enjoy the challenge of finding the right way to help a student reach their potential. I believe that success in teaching relies on the relationship between teacher and student. There has to be a positive, trusting relationship before any true learning can happen. I believe in being intentional in my instruction, so students know what they will be learning and what will be expected of them. I also believe there is not just one teaching method that always works with every student. Every child is unique and so are their learning styles, so I feel it's important to adapt my teaching style to best fit each child.

I mostly enjoy teaching or tutoring in Math and Science in the upper elementary grades, but I also feel confident in teaching or tutoring in Language Arts (reading, spelling, writing) and Social Studies.