I received my Masters Degree in Education from Cambridge College, and my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Communications with a minor in Fine Arts from Cornell University. I taught for over twenty years with the New York City Department of Education mainly at the elementary level, although I have taught at both the middle and high school levels as well. I am certified to teach all the subjects in grade K through the sixth grade and I also have certification to teach the visual arts at the elementary, middle, and high school level. I understand the importance of using instructional approaches that allow for integration of the analytical left and creative right brain functions. Throughout my lengthy experience as an educator I have worked in a variety of capacities which included the position of Academic Intervention Specialist. I had the great advantage of being exposed to various reading programs with the responsibility of selecting the ones I considered most effective and reporting my professional assessment to the school administration. There were clear gains made by most of my students in the area of reading and this increase was indicated using data assessment tools. After leaving the NYC Department of Education I went on to pursue independent educational projects which includes tutoring and I have never looked back. The satisfaction that comes from providing direct one on one academic support to others is meaningful and fulfilling. I am also able to utilize all of the skills and educational wisdom I gained over the years in a more personal and effective manner. Knowing that I am contributing to the success of a young person's future is a great honor that I take seriously.