
Paula
Certified Tutor
I currently am a Special Education Teacher for Howard County Public Schools. I work primarily with pre-k students with a variety of special needs and learning styles. I feel that my strengths as an educator are powerfully reflected in my ability to accommodate various learning styles, behaviors, and abilities while making learning an exciting, positive experience. Learners are diverse in every way, and each student requires unique strategies, motivators, and reinforcers to be successful throughout the learning process. I take pride in knowing that my students look forward to learning and gain confidence to tackle new challenges; as they begin to take the necessary steps toward becoming independent learners. I enjoy getting to know my students on a personal level as well. I love to hear about their hobbies, families, hopes and dreams.
Outside of tutoring and teaching I enjoy spending time with my family at home or on the beach. I also am an avid runner and exercise enthusiast and take pride in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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Undergraduate Degree: Notre Dame of Maryland University - Bachelors, Elementary/Special Education
Graduate Degree: Loyola University Maryland - Current Grad Student, Special Education
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- Math
- Other
- Science
- Special Education
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that teaching is an opportunity to provide learners with confidence, independence, and joy in their own accomplishments. A great teacher builds upon student's strengths and finds ways to differentiate instruction, provides feedback, and empowers students with accountability for their own learning.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
A first session is all about building rapport, getting to know one another, and determining what kind of learner a student is. A first session might consist of talking about their favorite things, their not so favorite things, or what they like to do in their free time! Looking over assignments that the student is proud of and ones that they feel were more challenging provides great insight into where there needs may be greatest, as well as act as excellent work samples. First session work might include fun exploration games or review of current work in order to provide baseline information and a deeper look at learning styles and motivators.