Who am I?
I am a mother of 4 teenagers. Each of my children is unique individuals in every way. This is evident in their learning styles. I have a special needs learner, a talented and gifted learner, an unmotivated learner, and a child who is right in the middle and content to just go with the flow. Having navigated the public school system all the way to High school graduation with my children I have had to learn many different styles of teaching and motivating. Through all of this I found I really have a talent for producing successful learners no matter what the obstacles are. So it is only natural for me to develop this talent professionally and pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. This of course raises
the next challenge in my life. Can I really go back to school at my age? As I am completing my last semester at Salt Lake Community College and getting ready to transfer to UVU the answer is, yes of course I can and I have a 3.85 grade point average to prove it.
This year I decided to take on a new challenge and became an American Reads tutor with S.L.C.C. This allows me to help below level readers in local Title I schools get extra one on one support to advance their reading level. I really enjoy tutoring. There is no greater accomplishment then to watch the students you tutor catch up with their classmates and find a love for reading. The hardest part is when you realize they are all caught up and can do it on their own.
One day as we were celebrating yet another student’s on level achievement he asked me “Why can’t you help me with my math?” I had to explain to him that the center only tutors reading. When I was sitting at home that night I started thinking why not. So the next day I signed up to be an in class tutor for the 5th grade. Now not only do I help students with their reading but I also help with any other subject they are struggling with. I volunteer 20 hours a week at Whittier Elementary in a 5th grade classroom. I have a chance to look over all of their homework and tutor the students that are struggling. Of course there are those students in every classroom that struggle with every subject or just aren’t motivated to learn so I customize lesson plans and behavior plans to help them be successful. I focus on each student’s successes instead of worrying about what they haven’t learned. I celebrate each win.
My philosophy is simple. There are problems in this world that are too big for one person to solve, but if you see one that is possible you have an obligation to solve it. I can help students learn. I can motivate students. I can make learning fun and interesting. It is my obligation to do it so I do.
the next challenge in my life. Can I really go back to school at my age? As I am completing my last semester at Salt Lake Community College and getting ready to transfer to UVU the answer is, yes of course I can and I have a 3.85 grade point average to prove it.
This year I decided to take on a new challenge and became an American Reads tutor with S.L.C.C. This allows me to help below level readers in local Title I schools get extra one on one support to advance their reading level. I really enjoy tutoring. There is no greater accomplishment then to watch the students you tutor catch up with their classmates and find a love for reading. The hardest part is when you realize they are all caught up and can do it on their own.
One day as we were celebrating yet another student’s on level achievement he asked me “Why can’t you help me with my math?” I had to explain to him that the center only tutors reading. When I was sitting at home that night I started thinking why not. So the next day I signed up to be an in class tutor for the 5th grade. Now not only do I help students with their reading but I also help with any other subject they are struggling with. I volunteer 20 hours a week at Whittier Elementary in a 5th grade classroom. I have a chance to look over all of their homework and tutor the students that are struggling. Of course there are those students in every classroom that struggle with every subject or just aren’t motivated to learn so I customize lesson plans and behavior plans to help them be successful. I focus on each student’s successes instead of worrying about what they haven’t learned. I celebrate each win.
My philosophy is simple. There are problems in this world that are too big for one person to solve, but if you see one that is possible you have an obligation to solve it. I can help students learn. I can motivate students. I can make learning fun and interesting. It is my obligation to do it so I do.