Special Education Tutoring

Hello! My name is Melissa. I have had about six years of experience with individuals with disabilities (a wide range of ages and disabilities). I am currently majoring in Special Education at Lewis University and will receive my degree in May of 2018. I plan to pursue my masters in school counseling in the Fall of 2018. I also have a minor in Psychology, which has given me a background in child development. I have been a writing tutor at Lewis University for two and a half years and have helped over 500 students. I have been nominated by my supervisor for Student Employee of the Year two years in a row. At the writing center, I am an ELL/ESL specialist, meaning I am certified to tutor students who speak English as a second language. I also have trained tutors on how to assist students with varying disabilities. Additionally, I have had over 100 hours of experience in Special Education classrooms (elementary, middle school, and transition) where I have conducted lessons and assisted students. I was introduced to this field through coaching figure skating, which I coached for about three years and then transitioned into coaching for Special Olympics Illinois, which I have been a part of for almost five years. I am also actively involved in Best Buddies through my university, where we develop one-to-one friendships with adults in the community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I was President of my chapter for two years and am currently the Secretary. I also spent the summer working for North Western Special Recreation Association as an inclusion aide, where I worked one-on-one with three children with special needs, making sure they were adequately included in their summer camp programs. I also assisted in an after-day program center through NWSRA where I assisted about four individuals with special needs. I am passionate about helping this community and believe that they are capable of success just as anyone else is. It is my life goal to ensure that I assist this population and give them the tools and opportunities they need to be successful; whether that be learning how to make a friend, brush their teeth independently, or be able to successfully interview for a job. I believe all success should be celebrated, and I hope to help your child reach their potential.

I love giving students the tools they need to succeed in their goals. I believe everyone has potential and nothing brings me more joy than helping someone become more confident and successful. The teachers I remember the most are the ones that connected with me and made an effort to get to know me, and I hope that one day I can give that in return.