About
At Capabilities for Life LLC, we believe all children can learn when given the opportunity and proper instruction. Students who are struggling or with disabilities must be given direct and explicit instruction in academic and functional skills. They have the right to have high expectations placed on them when they are given the instruction to support those expectations. Functional communication skills are essential for success in life and communication must be a priority for all students. Research validated instructional strategies and positive behavior support strategies are the key to every student's success!
Our goal is to work with families and children to identify what the individual child is having trouble with and then plan an individualized program to correct the problem.
With 25 years of experience as a special education teacher, consultant, professional developer, and reading specialist I have worked with hundreds of children and teachers identifying learning issues and then figuring out how to fix them.
I am a PA liscensed special education teacher, reading specialist, and special education supervisor.
www.capabilitiesforlife.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-chadwick-907a3033/
I am passionate about children learning, especially children learning how to read. I love to work with kids who have struggled in the past and show them that learning can be easier than they think. It is very exciting when kids begin to experience success with something that they have struggled with and they are able to have fun while doing it. The key to all of this is starting with what the child already knows and building skill in a finely scaffolded and explicit way. Success builds motivation and motivation builds success. There is nothing better than teaching children the skills they need to expand their world.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first step in any new tutoring situation is to build relationship. Meeting the student and the parents and talking about what the learning issues are is only one piece of the relationship building process. It is important to know what the child likes and dislikes and what the child believes to be his or her strengths.
Based on the child, assessment may be completed during the first session. A preliminary plan will be developed based on the first meeting and will be revised as more information is gathered. Time and frequency of services will be determined and a contract will be signed.
The goal is always to build a child's self-confidence as well as skills.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a masters degree in special education with an additional 34 graduate credits in reading, behavior, supervision, and instruction. I am a licensed reading specialist, special education teacher, and special education supervisor. I had a special education Life Skills Support classroom for 10 years and I have been an educational consultant for the past 15 years. I have taught students in person in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings, as well as on-line in similar types of groups. I am very well versed in the science of reading and instruction.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $25 per hour for all lessons. If lessons are less than an hour, then the fee is pro-rated based on the time. My fee includes all assessment, planning, and instruction. It also includes access to an on line research based reading program that is supervised by me if it is appropriate for the child. I believe that education is a fundamental right for every person, so making tutoring affoardable for the average family is my goal.
How did you get started teaching?
When I was in high school, I volunteered in the "Diversified Occcupations" department. Today, this would be mixed category Life Skills, Autistic Support, and Multiple Disabilities classrooms. I worked with peers that had autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and multiple disabilities, and I fell in love with teaching. I loved the fact that I could do something that made students lives better by the way I taught them. I have never had a second thought about teaching! It truly is my calling!
What types of students have you worked with?
Due to my experience as an educational consultant I have have had the pleasure of working with students across the educational spectrum. I have have worked with kids who are gifted and learning disabled, ADHD, Dyslexic, intellectually disabled, learning disabled, autistic, multiply disabled, emotionally disturbed, and general education students who just need an extra bit of help.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
First, look for someone you can develop a relationship with.
Second, ask questions about their background. Do they really understand the science of instruction or do they just go on what sounds or feels good to them. Instruction is not about the teacher, it is about the student. If the student isn't learning then the teacher must be the one to change. It is not the fault of the student if the teachers instruction is failing. There truly is scientific eveidence that proves what works and what doesn't work when teaching. Your tutor better know that and use it!
Third, if you find that the relationship is just not working, then don't be afraid to talk to the tutor about it. Maybe something can be done to make the situation better or maybe you need to switch tutors, but don't suffer in silence. Talk about it!
Fourth, be honest. The tutor is only going to be able to help you if you are honest about what you are having difficulty with. Don't be embarrased or ashamed about your learning issues. You are taking a big step by looking for help. The tutor just wants to do what is best for you to imporve your learning!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is it that I really have trouble with? For example: I struggle with sounding out words that are more than 3 - 4 letters long. I have trouble with vowels. I always mix up my numbers when doing long division. Be able to describe what you are struggling with, however if you are not sure, then just be able to say, I don't know. It's ok!
Think about what outcome you want. I want to be able to read my grade level books without struggling. I want to do math and understand why the numbers work the way they do. I want to organize myself so I can turn things in on time and complete.
Are you willing to listen and follow the advise of the tutor? Being open to new ways of looking at things and trying new methods is the first step in making change. Doubt and fear are normal feelings for people who have been struggling to learn, however being willing to work with someone to figure out what is going on and how to repair it will take you a long way!