Alyssa

Certified Tutor

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I am a certified Special Education Teacher at a private school in Tempe, AZ. I recieved my Master's degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Special Education with a focus on Assistive Technology. I am passionate about this field and I love helping students use technology and tools to enhance the learning process. I value the power of education and I want to make learning fun and accessible to all students. Before starting my career as a full time teacher, I traveled the world around Europe, Southeast Asia and Central America. I spent four months as a nanny for a family in Italy, teaching English to their four children. I also spent six weeks in Guatemala, volunteering to help educate students with special needs. These experiences truly helped to make me a more well rounded and cultured individual who can adapt easily to the needs of others. I absolutely love to read, which is why I love helping students in Language Arts and Writing. I worked for 2 years at my alma mater University, helping college students with disabilities develop their academic skills. While I did assist them in all subjects, I mostly helped them to develop their writing, time management, and organization skills. In my free time I enjoy hiking, reading and spending time with friends and family.

Alyssa’s Qualifications

Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: Southern Connecticut State University - Bachelors, Elementary Ed, Special Ed, Spanish

Graduate Degree: Southern Connecticut State University - Masters, Special Ed-Assistive Technology

Hobbies

travelin, reading, hiking, exercising, adventuring outdoors, spending time with family & friends

Tutoring Subjects

American Literature

College English

College Level American Literature

Elementary School Reading

Elementary School Writing

English

English Grammar and Syntax

ESL/ELL

Essay Editing

High School English

High School Level American Literature

High School Writing

Mac Basic Computer Skills

Microsoft Office

Middle School Reading

Middle School Reading Comprehension

Middle School Writing

PC Basic Computer Skills

Phonics

Public Speaking

Social Networking

Technology and Computer Science

Writing

Q & A

What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

I would like to spend the first session with a student getting to know what is interesting and motivating to the student and building a good rapport. I think it's important to share hobbies/interests, goals for the tutoring sessions and any other pertinent information that will make the professional relationship between student and tutor more comfortable and successful. I want to know about the student's biggest challenges, hesitations and what they are most proud of about themselves in relation to their learning.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

I can help a student become an independent learner by helping to find what's motivating for them and getting them excited about learning. It is important that we start by tapping into their background knowledge and build up to helping them feel confident in their learning.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

It might sound counterproductive, but I truly believe in taking frequent short breaks when studying or learning. Taking breaks helps to avoid burnout and keeps us motivated by having something rewarding to look forward to after working hard for so long. I think that beginning and ending each session with something rewarding and motivating will help students want to learn and accomplish more.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

When a student has difficulty learning something, it is important to take a step back and diagnose the issue. It could be in the way that I'm teaching a concept, a distraction in the environment, too difficult material, or something on the student's mind that is preventing them from being able to fully comprehend the concept. I think it is important to take time to have a discussion with the student to figure out how to work together to fix the problem so that the student can learn it better. I might be able to present the material in a different way that is easier for the student to understand, or we might need to reduce other distractions or take a break and try to refocus.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?

When I start to work with a student, I find that it is most successful if I build a good rapport with the student and use their interests to motivate their learning. I always take time to get to know the student before jumping into a session that is chock full of learning.