Verified Tutor

Chrissy

Bachelors, Early childhood education and special education

1+ years of tutoring

Westminster College

Gannon University

I was born and raised in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. In 2009, I graduated with honors from North Allegheny Senior High School and then studied education at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. In August of 2018, I completed my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University. I am certified to teach Early Childhood Education (PreK-4), Grades 5-6 (all subjects), Special Education (PreK-8), Social Studies (7-8) and Middle School English and Math (6-9). I have experience with children ranging from grades PreK-8.Currently, I teach at Seneca Valley Middle School in Harmony, PA. I teach learning support classes in the resource room setting for Reading, English, and Math. I also teach a support study hall which focuses on developing organizational, study, and social skills. I support students through co-taught inclusion classes for Science and Social Studies. My eighth grade students have severe specific learning disabilities in the areas of reading, writing, and math. Many of them also have speech and language needs as well as emotional/behavioral needs. My aim is to provide the best quality education possible and help my students grow by collaborating with the families and other professional and support staff. I am certified to administer both the PSSA and PASA tests. I have also taught at Eden Christian Academy, a private non-denominational Christian school in Wexford, PA. I specialized in 3rd Grade Language Arts and Writing; however, I also taught Reading, Spelling, Science, Social Studies, Handwriting, and Bible. The students I have worked with throughout my experiences have presented needs such as ADD/ADHD, OCD, anxiety, autism (ranging from mild to severe), Down's syndrome, mild vision and hearing impairments, and giftedness. I love teaching because of the influence, impact, and importance education has on a child's life. To me, serving in a role where I can partner with families and colleagues in order to make something "click" for a child, and to be able to rejoice in those small victories, is what teaching is all about. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, making crafts, and spending time with loved ones. To relax, I like taking strolls around the neighborhood or going to the spa. I look forward to speaking with you and providing any additional information which might be helpful to you. Thank you for your consideration!

Q&A with Chrissy

I believe: -Every child comes to school with a story to share. -Children are capable of great successes if they are provided with the necessary social and educational skills. -Each child learns in his or her own unique way. -Enthusiasm and positivity are contagious. My tutoring sessions: -Provide an organized and encouraging learning atmosphere. -Clearly demonstrates what I expect from the students and what they can expect from me. -Offer an environment where my students feel secure enough to take the risks necessary to explore and grow. -Afford each child the attention and support he or she needs to succeed. -Provide activities that make content more accessible to students. How would you help a student stay motivated? First of all, it is important to establish a rapport between the student and myself. I do so by demonstrating an interest in the child's likes and dislikes. I want to know how he/she views school and what intrigues him/her outside of school. I also aim to demonstrate how I learn through mistakes to show students that mistakes are proof that you're learning something new. In addition, incorporating rewards like game time or an activity selected by the student can be a great motivational tool. How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?