I recently retired from teaching at the same school for over 25 years! I taught 2nd grade for several years, and have spent the last 15 years as an Elementary Reading Intervention Specialist working with students from Kindergarten - 5th grade. I have also tutored many students outside of the school day to review and strengthen previously taught skills, provide additional practice or model strategies and enrich their understanding of and response to what they read.
I graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Elementary Education and from Webster University with a Master's of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in reading. In addition, I hold a K-12 special reading certification.
One of my specialties is the close observation and identification of students' reading behaviors, and then using those observations to determine the specific item knowledge or skills students need to grow as readers and learners. At times, that can include clearing up their confusions or designing lessons to respond to their learning styles and individual needs.
I have been trained in various intervention programs and understand the connection between listening, speaking, reading and writing. I have experience with developing students' phonemic awareness and understand the importance of linking what students hear to what they see when they read and write.
I believe in building upon what students already know, imparting confidence so they can see themselves as learners, and fundamentally, that all children can achieve success.
I enjoy reading in my free time and try to instill a love of books in my students. Some of my other hobbies are riding my bike, doing yoga and going to the beach with my family and friends as often as we can.