Laura
Certified Tutor
Hello!
I have taught general education as well a special education for over 10+ years as a professional teacher for 8 years and a para-professional for 3 years. I have developed many fun and engaging lessons for students to help them understand many complex math, reading, science, history concepts. My students have fun and enjoy learning! I have taught general education kindergarten, second grade, and third grade. I have taught special education K-5 in a variety of settings. In addition, I have taught special education middle school as well as high school students. I have my Bachelor's in elementary education and my Masters in special education K-12.
As a certified special education teacher that has the knowledge and ability to work patiently with students that have unique needs and in addition, I have the ability to challenge them academically with my background as a general education teacher. I am patient and kind and have found my purpose!
I have been tutoring children since I was a child myself. As a teacher, I have tutored many students ranging from grades K-8TH grade. I have a passion and love for education, as well as a ton of experience. Currently, I am pursuing my administrative credentials!
I am currently an online teacher and my students love my lessons and I pride myself on the level of engagement I am able to get! The feedback I receive from parents and students is that I am very patient, kind, fun, passionate, knowledgeable, and engaging.
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Undergraduate Degree: Ottawa University-Phoenix - Bachelors, Elementary education
Graduate Degree: Grand Canyon University - Masters, Special Education
love spending time with my family. I like to decorate for holidays, ride dirt-bikes, watch sports with my family, and do crafts!
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade
- 2nd Grade
- 3rd Grade
- 4th Grade
- 5th Grade
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- Adult Literacy
- AIMS Prep
- College English
- College Essays
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Math
- Middle School
- Other
- Phonics
- Reading
- Special Education
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that all students can learn. I believe with the right tools and strategies, all students can be successful and achieve all their goals!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I believe it is important to develop a relationship with the students. I would spend my first sessions getting to know the student and allowing them to get to know me!
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help a student become an independent learner by teaching them the skills they need to succeed, and giving them confidence to show us that learning!
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I love to encourage my students and give them positive praise! Positive praise goes a long way. In addition, having a rapport with my students is always helpful to get them motivated and to stay engaged.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If the student is having difficulty, I would first want to see if they need to see if they are missing a foundation skill that is preventing them from moving forward.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When a student is struggling with reading comprehension, I would have them read shorter passage and answer questions as we go. In addition, I would have my students that are struggling go back to the text to help them identify their answers. They will often find that the answers are right in front of them. I would also have my students practice their fluency. If they are struggling with fluency, that may be keeping them from understanding what they have read. Finally, students use different tools like highlighters or different engagement activities to help them with their comprehension.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
One strategy that I use is to develop a rapport with my students. When I have developed a relationship with my students, I find that they are more open to share their successes as well as their struggles.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I typically offer my students a variety of activities to stay engaged. I like to connect their learning with real-life experiences. How does the learning relate to their life or an experience that they have had?
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I like to use formative assessments and informative assessments. I design an assessment first to ensure I know where I want my student to be at the end of my lessons. I can assess their learning to know where they are with that particular skill.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I like to use positive praise. I celebrate my students' successes. I like to start at a place they are comfortable with and build from there. When they feel successful in the beginning, they are more confident and willing to try new things.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I like to give formative assessments and informative assessments. I use teacher observations to help guide lessons, and adjust as needed throughout the lessons. If a student has gaps, we can identify those gaps prior to beginning lessons, and then close those gaps.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Each tutoring session is based on my students' needs. I will know each and every one of my tutoring students, and get to know where they are and where we need to start. I want each student's sessions to be individualized and tailored to what they need.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I will use a variety of materials, including manipulatives, graphic organizers, videos, and engagement learning strategies. I will also use tools within our classroom, like highlighters, coloring tools, and pen tools.