My Teaching Philosophy

Learning can be a highly creative and transformative opportunity. At its best, education is a process that offers students unique avenues to meaningfully engage with the world around them.  On the flipside, school and learning can also be challenging and isolating. Even when schools have excellent classroom teachers and dynamic lessons, kids might feel a bit confused. They might also feel like they're not quite getting enough: enough support, enough explanation, enough challenge, enough care. That’s where I come in.

I support kids to help fill in the gaps within their learning journeys. Pulling from my extensive background in both the arts and academics, I blend traditional tutoring with creative play. Research has shown that "the ability of the brain to develop and maintain neural connections is based on new movement and play experiences of young children” (2). In the early years of children’s lives, movement and play opportunities are essential for healthy development of both the body and the mind. When working with kids, I always incorporate movement, lively conversation, and games into my academic instruction.  In this way of working, students become more engaged and better able to understand whatever concept we’re exploring. 

Learning is a spiral.

We learn some, forget some, learn something new.

Learning happens through many tries -

sometimes falling, flailing, fearing what we don't know.

Not yet seeing

how strong we actually are.

Beyond the perfect grade,

learning is a process of being lost and getting found.

Let's feel brave enough to try -

to stand in the space between the known and the unknown

In my own K-12 learning journey, I remember what it was like to struggle academically. I also remember what it was like to discover that thing that helped make learning come alive again. I know that perfect grades don’t always mean personal fulfillment and that rich learning can happen separate from what a report card shows. 

Learning happens in the context of being a whole person. What is happening in a child's social-emotional life is deeply connected to what is happening in their academic lives. So I make it a point to partner with parents. That way, we collaborate to figure out how to support their child's unique journey. 

While better grades are typically a direct result from my work with kids, I am more concerned with helping my students become engaged, resilient learners for the long-run. 

If my approach resonates with you and you’re looking for a guide for your child, please feel free to reach out! I would love to speak with you.

References:

1. Choosy Kids quoted by Amor-Zitzelberger, Jacqueline. “Movement Builds a Child’s Brain.” extension.psu.edu, Penn State Extension, May 18, 2020.