Math can be challenging! As a middle school math teacher with 14 years of experience, I know this to be true. My love for teaching and learning inspired me to change careers in my late 30s. Going back to college to get a teaching degree was one of the best decisions I ever made. I received my bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!!) and my master's degree from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University. My areas of expertise/licensure are middle school math and social studies, and I am certified to teach grades 4-9 for both subjects.

I love teaching and especially enjoy witnessing my students finally "get" a new skill after encountering some struggles along the way. I currently teach 6th grade math, and about one-third of my students each year are enrolled in a second class with me each day that reinforces and reteaches concepts they are having difficulty mastering. This second math "Discovery" class allows me to work one-on-one and in small groups to help students succeed.

In addition to being a middle school teacher, I also have three years' experience tutoring, both one-on-one and in small groups, in an after school program.

My philosophy of teaching is that I believe every student can learn math; some just learn it more quickly than others. I like to use the example of learning to walk. For an infant, being able to walk is a really huge accomplishment, especially given the size of an infant's head in comparison to the size of his or her body! For some infants, walking comes quickly, at say nine months; for others, it comes much later, but all babies eventually learn to walk. The same goes for learning math. Some students catch on to a topic quickly and easily, while others need more time and practice, but all students can absolutely learn math.

My teaching practices include the following: an "I do, we do, you do" approach; the use of scaffolding (starting with basic problems and adding elements as each step is mastered); and, finally, using formative assessment (quick problem checks) to ensure my students understand each math concept.

I look forward to working with you in the Varisity Tutor platform!