Mr Schwaller Tutoring

First off, I like to develop a good relationship with a student.  If they know they can trust me and I can inspire them, they will learn better and enjoy our time together.  I always open our meeting time with something other than academics so we can connect on a personal level, then work from there.  Then we get into academics and I listen to them.  Kids always give clues on how to proceed and if you are a deep listener, you can pick up on these clues.  In a way, the student leads me to teach them in the best way possible.

Education:

Waldorf Teaching Certificate from Antioch University - New England.  This is the standard for a qualified Waldorf teacher.  It is the educational equivalent of a Master’s Degree in Education but without a thesis or capstone project.  Awarded in July, 2016

Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Viterbo University, Lacrosse, WI.  Specialized in Integrated Studies of Business/Organizational Management & Philosophy, May, 2011

Making Math Meaningful - Grades 1-5. This workshop taught by Jamie York was focused on becoming an expert in teaching mathematics in grades 1-5.

Roadmap to Literacy - Grades 1-3.  This workshop taught by Janet Langley was focused on understanding the full Language Arts curriculum through the grades 1-3.  Many aspects are  applicable to grades 4 and 5 as well.

Art of Teaching Grades 1-5 Renewal Courses.  I have taken all grade specific 1-5 renewal courses over the 12 years of my teaching career.  These workshops address specifics of teaching each grade as well as cover the developmental aspects of the age of the students in each grade.  These courses were offered in several different locations over the years and took place for 5-9 days during the summertime.

Work Experience:

2016-2021 Shining Mountain Waldorf School, Boulder, Colorado.  I led a class from 1st grade to 5th grade as their lead teacher, specializing in child development, Language Arts and Arithmetic.

2013-2016 Running River School, Sedona, Arizona.  I helped to pioneer a thriving Waldorf-inspired school as the first teacher and led a class from 1st to 3rd grade.  I taught Language Arts, Arithmetic, knitting, crocheting, movement, created and taught a full curriculum for the week.

2010-2013 Pine Forest School, Flagstaff, Arizona.  I was an assistant teacher in kindergarten, and grades 3,4, and 5.  I worked specifically with children who had unique learning styles.  I also substitute taught in grades 1-8 on occasion.

$65/hour

My father was a teacher, so I have been around it all my life.  I had mixed feelings about the education system, however, as my children were growing up, I was always interested in Waldorf education.  This interest grew as I became an assistant teacher and led me into pioneering a school and then teaching at an established school in Colorado.

I have worked with a diversity of learners, all in a specific age group of 7-12.

I was glad to see wolves be reintroduced in Colorado.  I love nature and enjoy climbing mountains and backpacking.  I study nature deeply and have a lot of experience in nature.  

Well, I tend to get hired by parents since I am working with students ages 7-12.  I would say look for two things: a good personality match for your child, someone who is not only a tutor, but also a mentor.  Relationships are deeply meaningful to kids.  Secondly, make sure you are seeing progress.  Some students need repetition, and some tutors aren't great at seeing when enough is enough.  It is important to work with a student's capacities as well as checking in to review what has been learned.  Capacities are where it is at, then everyone involved gets the most out of the tutoring experience.

I would say talk with the students teachers to see what the needs are.  The students teacher sees the student every school day and usually they have a good idea of what the needs are of the student.  It is good if a tutor can talk to the teacher also in case there are questions that the tutor has.