When you choose to work with me, I see our time together as a mutual learning experience. We are in this together! While I may be the subject matter expert, the key to our success is that I am learning right along with you. While my primary efforts are focused on addressing whatever it is that challenges you, I will always see you as so much more than that. I want to learn about who you are as a whole; a unique person with their own style, strengths, and interests. As a result, I will create personalized lessons that address the whole of you. The results will go beyond grades or test scores. When you allow yourself to learn how you learn best, you can build the strategies and tools to support how you learn, regardless of subject or setting. I am passionate about what I do but it starts with you. If you are ready for this, then I am in this with you. Here is a little about my professional experience and areas of expertise:I am an innovative, research-obsessed, action-oriented educator with twenty years of experience working in a variety of roles, and settings, and with students from all backgrounds and ability levels. My passion is developing and utilizing accessible, effective, and meaningful instructional design as a vehicle for student empowerment and social change. My areas of expertise include:- Structured Literacy (decoding and encoding)- The Five Pillars of Reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension/reading for meaning- Universal Design for Learning- Brain-based Learning- The ability to make learning accessible, effective, and meaningful for ALL, regardless of ability level- Using a student's strengths and interests as a vehicle for addressing challenges- Executive Functioning Skills- Self-Awareness, Self-Determination, and Self-Advocacy skills

Outside of being seriously passionate about equitable and accessible education for all, I do have a few things that aren't related to saving the world ;). My biggest passion is music. It has always played an important role in my life, for many reasons. I have a preference for indie, singer-songwriter, folk rock, Americana, or anything that has strong vocal harmonies and lyrics you can connect with. I have seen more concerts than I can count and will continue to do so as long as I can. For me, music has magical restorative superpowers that provide me with a rare refuge from the unrelenting weight of the world. When the rare opportunity presents itself, I love to loaf on the sofa with my dog, preferably doing nothing at all.