Kishami Academy
About
Kishami Academy works primarily with students who have gaps in their education, who are falling behind, who just don't get the material in a typical classroom. These include all students, but we LOVE working with those with Autism and ADHD as well as other learning challenges.
https://www.facebook.com/KishamiAcademy
I have been tutoring and teaching most of my life: Peers at school, neighborhood children, teacher's aides, home-schooling networks, substitute teaching, public school teaching, and now branching off on my own.
I have been teaching and tutoring in Colorado since 2012.
I have a B.A. in History with a minor in Anthropology through California State University - Bakersfield
I have a M.A. in Education with a focus on Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education (ESL) from Colorado State University - Pueblo
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
A short discussion with the parent or student in necessary to determine if I am designing lessons for tutoring, helping with homework, assisting in test prep, or a combination of all of the above.
I can also offer an academic gap assessment (2-3 hours) that will help identify general gaps in your students education. Specific gaps are only identified when working with your student and discovering the missing base concepts necessary to comprehend new material.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
California State University-Bakersfield: B.A. in History with a minor in Anthropology. Teaching Certificate 2010
Colorado State Professional Teaching license with certifications in Special Education, Elementary Education, History, and Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education (ESL) 2012
Colorado State University-Pueblo: M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education 2017
Peer Tutor 1976-1989
Home-school educator, small group teacher 1993-2001
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$25/hour
How did you get started teaching?
I was reading at a 5th grade level in Kindergarten so my teacher let me assist with the reading groups in my class before I left to join my 5th grade peer reading group. I have been tutoring and teaching ever since.
My primary focus was mathematics through high school.
In college I fell in love in with history and anthropology.
My children are on the ADHD and Autism spectrums which brought all my focus onto how to reach and teach them. During this time I spent much time as a home-school mother who helped other families transition to home-schooling by teaching the parents to teach, and teaching their students while they transitioned from work to home.
When I got a teaching job I was offered a 3/4 paid Master's program in Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education and began to see how cultures, languages, and Special Learning challenges were all connected.
As a substitute, I was desheartened by the academic gaps and missed teaching opportunities that students with cultural, linguistic, and special learning challeneges endured.
All I have learned is now put into practice with my students and those I tutor.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with accelerated students, students who are several years behind grade level, students with autism and ADHD, students from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the American continents.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
There are so many. Every day brings something exciting to the table. However, the most meaningful experience was working with my son who has autism and teaching him how to annotate and make personal connections to his reading material for college-level essays in high school. Due to his autism he has no recollection of life before the age of 11, and no real memories before the age of 14. We spent many days during his Sophomore year talking about the world and how he could discover ways to relate to others through his minimal experiences.
This challenge has aided in my approach to my own students who come from different academic challenges, and cultural or linguistic backgrounds.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Visit with the teacher before commiting to anything. If your personalities do not mesh, you will not be learning what you need to learn. That visit also helps you clear the air about what you expect and how they can meet those expectations.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What tools or manipulatives are available?
Does the teacher understand different learning styles?
Can the teacher help me with my specific challenges?