Sophia: Clearwater tutor

Certified Tutor

My favorite thing about teaching is getting to know my students and finding out what they love. By finding out what a student is passionate about, I can help connect that to their learning goals. This way, they are engaged in learning and feel that it's actually relevant to their lives.

I first became interested in teaching during my initial years at NYU, where I developed my own course of study on Child and Adolescent Literacy. I studied how reading develops in a child's brain and how reading is taught in schools. I also focused on how diversity in children's literature impacts identity development. I went on to study Education at UCLA in their Teacher Education Program, where I earned my MEd and California Preliminary Teaching Credential. Throughout my college years, I gained experience working with Pre-K, TK, K, 1st, 2nd, and 4th-grade classes. Once I obtained my credential and graduated, I gained more experience working at a bilingual (Spanish) school teaching 1st-grade, and later at art and social justice-based school teaching 6th grade.

I've been an assistant and student teacher in Pre-K, TK, K, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade. I've been the lead teacher in 1st grade and 6th-grade classrooms. I've taught all subjects in both English and Spanish at the elementary level.

Outside of tutoring, I love watching TV and movies. I probably spend at least 1-2 hours a day checking out new content. My favorite shows right now are probably Westworld, Money Heist, and Elite. I also love reading books, mostly fiction and YA. If I'm outside, I like to skateboard and try to land new tricks, either on my street or at the skate park.