McGrath Educational Services

I have been teaching for 22 years. Most of my work has been with middle and high school English students (current teaching license expires in June 2032), but with homebound and GED work, I have taught all core subjects for Grades 6-12.

I taught MS/HS English, Algebra, and History as a special educator for Norfolk Public Schools. From 2013 to July 2020, I was an adult education/GED teacher with Portsmouth Public Schools at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail, as well as the Virginia Department of Corrections. Fifty of my students earned their GED, and 84% percent passed the exams, well over the national average of 65%. Previous to VADOC, I taught business, computer, and English courses at a local two-year career college (Centura College). Also, I have completed all coursework toward a doctorate in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership at the College of William and Mary, and in May 2020, I completed my Ed. S. (Education Specialist) for Special Education at Liberty University.

My teaching style has been described as laid-back, but I look to use that to an advantage. Students can be drawn out more in a casual environment where ideas are encouraged and respected. Generally, I believe in collaboration, which of course is difficult in a one-on-one session. However, I feel that it's important to know where to find the answers. Life is not about memorization. In my view, it is about developing certain skills. I look to apply class lessons in a way that they can be turned into life skills. For example, most students do not like reading comprehension activities. But, the reality is, many future tests, and in some cases, job applications, are going to require the ability to read into the material and perform well on a multiple-choice activity. Therefore, the skill of test-taking should be as important as the content being read.