Tivoli: Villa Park tutor
Certified Tutor
I am currently a fourth grade special educator providing support in primarily math, reading and writing. I also work as a reading interventionist with the Leveled Literacy Intervention program as well as Sonday for students who benefited from multisensory reading instruction.
I graduated in June 2004 from Columbia High School, in May 2008 from Rutgers College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, in May 2009 with a Master's Degree in Education and have dual certification in elementary education (K-5) and middle school mathematics (6-8). I returned to school at Kean University to get my Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification which I completed in 2013.
Working with students with special needs means working with learners with widely varying abilities. I design creative, stimulating lesson plans that accommodate multiple intelligences, bring a hands-on approach to learning, and keep students interested and focused. I encourage student learning by using a number of hands on activities, including the use of manipulatives, and by incorporating technology into my lessons.
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Undergraduate Degree: Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Graduate Degree: Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University - Master of Arts, Education
Reading, swimming, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
- 1st Grade Math
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- 2nd Grade Math
- 2nd Grade Reading
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 3rd Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Math
- 4th Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Writing
- 5th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Writing
- 6th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Reading
- 6th Grade Writing
- 7th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Reading
- 7th Grade Writing
- 8th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Reading
- 8th Grade Writing
- College English
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- High School English
- Homework Support
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- ISEE- Middle Level
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- PARCC Prep
- Phonics
- Reading
- Special Education
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- SSAT- Middle Level
- Test Prep
- Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, I like to get to know the student a little bit-- their interests, areas of strengths and weaknesses, goals for tutoring, and style of learning. Some of this can be learned through conversation and some through trying a few problems or completing some work together.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Students become independent with practice and confidence. I like to help guide students through the steps, modeling and discussing as we go - but giving the student many opportunities to try on their own with support and then without.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Students deserve praise for trying something challenging and should get constant reminders of how far they've come and what they've learned. I believe motivation is built when students feel they're "getting something," when something that was difficult becomes understandable or easy.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Everyone learns differently and, at times, needs to try a new approach or method to learning a skill or concept. I think it's very important to have multiple tools in a teacher's (and learner's!) toolbox.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
There are many strategies to improving reading comprehension. Some things I teach and work with students who struggle with comprehension include working on context clues, close reading, stop and jots, graphic organizers, note-taking, SQ3R, questioning, making meaningful connections, activating background knowledge summarizing, and discussing texts.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Often students need to understand why they're learning something and how it's useful in real life. Explaining or giving examples that are relevant to their world increases engagement and excitement. I also love to incorporate students' interests into lessons.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I like to use technology when appropriate in lessons -- sometimes as a way to activate prior knowledge and sometimes to provide guided or independent practice. I think manipulatives can make a huge difference in math lessons and try to use them as much as possible as well.