I have a degree in Special Education from Georgia College and State University and 13 years experience teaching high school language arts and math in the collaborative classroom setting. In addition to my experience in the public school system, I have experience in the non-profit sector as the Director of an after-school program and reading intervention program for kids in grades 4-12. As a high school teacher, I have also discovered a passion for tutoring and working with student-athletes to develop strong NCAA profiles. All of my teaching experience, both in the traditional and non-traditional educational settings, has been in Title I school districts and communities with kids who are considered to be at-risk. As a teacher, I strongly believe that all students are capable of learning. However, some students simply need a little more time and/or a different approach. Having worked with kids from difficult backgrounds, I also believe that education provides freedom and the opportunity to overcome the difficult situations they may be facing. I love to laugh and have found, in my own experience, that students are more likely to learn when they are having fun. Math is- hands down- my favorite subject to teach for many reasons. I am a total nerd and love solving equations and figuring things out. Consequently, I love the challenge of teaching students who don't think they can learn math. Watching that "light bulb go off" and the pride they have in themselves when they solve an equation or figure out a mathematical formula, is one of the most rewarding experiences of my job.