I moved to San Diego to pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Until recently, I volunteered as a research assistant at the UCSD Autism Lab. My time there was spent aiding in the development of a computer-based receptive language program for children diagnosed with autism. The experience was particularly enriching and relevant for me because I learned much about learning disabilities in children through firsthand experience.

 

My deep appreciation for helping others to cultivate their lives comes from my own unique experiences in living all over the world and learning from a diverse group of people. Although I am American, I was born and raised in various countries in South and Central America; needless to say, I am fluent in Spanish. I also spent six months living and working in Southeast Asia.

 

Throughout my time in college, I volunteered as a Spanish, ESL, & English tutor for both children and adults. I am extremely sensitive & compassionate and work well with others one-on-one. I feel that my true talent lies in using my intuitions to develop a way of learning for each individual that enables them to learn by using their strengths, while building on areas in which improvement is needed.

 

There is nothing more rewarding than to watch a child flourish and know that you have been part of it!

I have always had a job in which I worked with children & teenagers, hence I love people and being a part of their lives.  I currently hold a Masters Degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Special Education.  I have also been a part of the Americorp Program in which I brought inclusion into the community and established a senior buddy program.

 

While I taught moderate to severe special education students in Dallas, I helped establish a Peer Tutoring class as well as getting the Best Buddies club up & running.  I am happy to share that my students were a part of Habitat for Humanity. This work led to the community realizing that my students can and do make a contribution in their society.  

 

Currently in San Diego, I feel that I have the best job in the world.  Helping others and recognizing their strengths is what keeps me going in life, therefore I have continued my career in private in home tutoring as well as being a Special Education Resource Specialist.  

 

My philosophy is to focus on what we can do.  This encourages me to bring out the best in people and cheer them on in reaching their goals.  

 

Interacting with young people is a wonderful reprieve from the world of academia.

 

Fieldwork overseas and advanced coursework in graduate school teach me that lessons learned in the field apply to tutoring and education. This, combined with child care and three years of teaching courses in fields from Zoology to Psychological Anthropology, have provided me extensive experience working with people of all ages & backgrounds and adapting teaching strategies to particular situations when appropriate.

 

I am very enthusiastic about helping your child learn and discover.

I recently moved to San Diego with my family from North Carolina.  Prior to moving to the area, I was an elementary school teacher for 14 years.  I taught Kindergarten and first grade for eight of those years.  Most recently I was a literacy teacher.  This job was one of my favorites.  I taught small groups of students primarily in reading and writing but conducted small groups in math as well.  I was able to work with children with varied learning styles.  I worked with children in grades K-5.  This experience was so rewarding because I was able to help many children who had difficulty learning in the regular classroom.  Their grades and understanding of concepts were raised due to the small group instruction.

 

I believe that students can be successful in learning given the time and support to master concepts.  One of my character traits that helps me to be a good teacher is patience.  If a child is having difficulty in an area of learning I will find different ways to lead to subject mastery.  Children learn at different rates.  I see that in my own children.  I feel that a student should be pushed to their potential but not to frustration.

 

I have missed teaching since my move.  This is why I wanted to join the Heightened Learning team.  I look forward to helping your child learn.