*** August 2020- Present: Freelance virtual teaching of kindergarten with Spring Branch ISD in Houston, Texas. CERTIFIED TEACHER since 2002; K-12.

My tutoring career started way back in 1989, when my mother and I started a small typing business, for students and professionals who didn't know how to use word processing programs. My mother, an English and reading teacher herself, helped us progress to tutoring students of all ages, in English, reading, humanities, and writing.

I began to take over the business, and while I was in college, began tutoring college students, and partnered with graduate students to cover a wide range of subjects. I also worked part-time for the University of Houston in the Dept of Physics at that time.

In 2000, I graduated from the University of Houston with a BA in Psychology and English Literature, (3.80 GPA) and continued tutoring, this time with junior and high school students.

***I was hired by a school district in 2002 as a full time teacher, and received my teaching certification in English and language arts. I have been in the field of education since 1996, and teaching in traditional and virtual classrooms since 2002.

I have always loved tutoring 1:1, since it allows me to focus more on a students' strengths and weaknesses, and help them learn in a more consistent, comfortable environment.

In addition, I've been part of many professional committees and teams, working with students of all ages and all learning levels. I have taught and tutored online, in person, and as part of small group instruction. I have even worked online teaching children in China the English language.

***Pre Covid-19, I ran an after school program as a Site Lead with the YMCA and the Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston, TX; grades K-5. I have also taught preschool and PreK. I am certified to teach in Texas and Colorado, and considered a Highly Qualified teacher under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Personally, I love to dance, write, read (always learning), travel, computers, fashion, and animals.

I have an online boutique/reseller page on the Poshmark App, and have 299K Followers. My journey with Poshmark (Since 2013) has been a very successful one. Poshmark is a social media/E-commerce App. See my web page on the Poshmark App:
www.poshmark.com/closet/tonistwinkles

I am married, have three adorable rescue cats, and I just love helping people learn. When a child or adult lights up because they actually "got it", I am most proud of them. I hope to help more students "get it" through tutoring them on the Varsity Tutors platform. Thank you.