About
I love learning and engaging with students to---->
Create encouraging and supportive atmosphere for learning to flourish
Strengthen and build skills and confidence with adult and youth students
Advocate for students with school district
Collaborate with parents for students’ needs and requirements
I enjoy getting to know my students so that we can work together in a positive and prosperous way to promote the best outcomes in learning while having fun.
Education
Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA Bachelor of Arts, French
Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate (inactive), Secondary Education, French
Institute for American Universities, Avignon, France
Languages, English and French
Teaching History
Individualized Instructor, Tutor, and Student Advocate,
Self-Employed plus Independent Contractor with Varsity Tutors Abington, PA 2018 - Present
Strengthen and build skills and confidence with adult and youth in French; ESL; High School and Middle School History, Language Arts; Elementary Social Studies, Language Arts, Math
Collaborate with parents for students’ needs and requirements
Develop, implement and execute educational plans
Create encouraging and supportive atmosphere for learning to flourish
Advocate for students with their classroom teachers, with school district administration, psychologist, speech teacher, special education teacher, and reading specialist regarding IEP status
On-line and in person
Beech Springs School, Abington, PA 1998 - Present Homeschool Supervisor and Teacher
Educated five children/students – Kindergarten through 12th grade
Formulated students’ progress, accomplishments and performance appraisals
approved annually by certified homeschool evaluator
approved annually by Abington School District
Devised and conducted middle school and high school homeschool co-op classes
American and World History
American and World Literature
Writing
French I, II, III
Council Rock High School, Richboro, PA 1984
High School French teacher
Educated students, grades 9-11, in French I, II, III
Business History
Scattered Seeds Creative Arts, Abington, PA 2012 to Present
Co-Founder and Co-Director
Co-direct, manage, and teach
Orchestrate weekly classes, workshops, and summer week long camps culminating in performances
Advance business aspects: marketing, insurance requirements, collaborative
relationships, business planning
Hatch Dance Theater 501(c)(3) Chestnut Hill, PA 2002-2008
Organized grant research and applied for funding opportunities
Assisted with marketing efforts for class, event, and site recruiting
Performed with the company
Taught classes in creative, ballet, and modern dance
Primerica Financial Services, Fort Washington, PA 1994 - 2001
Presented financial planning education and solutions
Served and educated clients in mutual fund investments and term life insurance
Earned a Series 6 Mutual Fund License (expired)
Earned Life Insurance Certification (expired)
The Vanguard Group of Investment Companies, Valley Forge, PA 1984 - 1993
Financial Division, Investment and Fund Accounting for Institutional Retirement Plans
Managed and led a team of investment accounting supervisors
Reported to the assistant vice-president of this division
Presented departmental progress reports in division meetings
Conducted team meetings and training
Prepared and executed personnel progress and annual reviews
Specialties
Grade level
Subject
Photos and videos
Reviews
Sybil T.
C. C.
E. C.
J. M.
V. M.
Joseph S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
If my student is an adult, I speak with them to find out their needs, their goals, their interests, their experiences in education, and their learning styles. Then we discuss my approach based on what I have learned about them thus far and we proceed with formulating a plan and getting started. If the student is a child, I first speak with their parent asking the aforementioned questions. At the time of meeting the student, I inquire with them about some of the same questions to get a sense of their personality so that I can best tailor my approach to them and their needs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My college degree, my business experience, and then my more than 22 years of teaching in various settings with multiple size groups of students, and our performing arts organization have all contributed to my having a robust sense and approach to teaching and encouraging students.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I do base my pricing on what the student needs and our approach to meeting those goals.
How did you get started teaching?
I studied and received a teaching certificate with my Bachelors of Arts at Dickinson College. So my first experience was with student teaching and then I took a high school teaching position in French after college.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students from kindergarten through high school and with adults in a multitude of subjects and group sizes from individuals to classrooms, to smaller groups. Some of my students are or have been in public schools, privates schools, homeschools, some with IEPs, and some who are ESL students from various countries.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I am fond of the fact that one of my elementary aged students has called me and texted me about fun things in his life...and has sent me phots of his chickens, him climbing a tree and told me about how he had saved a bird. Also that during this time of Covid, all of my current students and I have stayed in contact.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
To take time to interview them to find out how your approaches, personalities, and goals line up. Ask them about their experiences that might help you determine if they are the right tutor for you/your child.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Student or parents of students should consider their/their child's learning styles, their strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, how do they best excel, what distracts or is a roadblock to learning, and what type of approaches from teachers appear to line up best.