Sandra
Certified Tutor
Hello,
I have had the joy and privilege of being a classroom teacher for the last 14 years and tutoring for the past 16 years. My bachelor's degree is in elementary education while my master's degree is in K - 12 Reading and Mathematics curriculum development . I am also ESOL, Reading, and Gifted endorsed.I have spent the last three years working with students in the area of test preparation with a direct focus on study skills, organization and time management. I have amazing success preparing students for tests such as the SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, FSA, GRE, and the GED.
Over the years I have taught from K-12. I have always loved helping young learners with phonics, fluency, and phonemic awareness. I have seen a need to specialize in working with student that have special learning needs, such as ASD, ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, and other learning challenges.
In my day to day, I currently apply Common Core standards to my daily lessons and have mastered how to help students understand the new way of learning. I love tutoring because I get the opportunity to help students and watch them grow in a one-on-one environment. I look forward to sharing my love of learning with my new students.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Central Florida - Bachelors, Elementary Education
Graduate Degree: University of Central Florida - Masters, Elementary Education
Some of my hobbies include, cooking and baking, painting, reading, music and movies, and playing with my dogs.
- ACCUPLACER ESL
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Listening
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Reading Skills
- ACT Writing
- Adult ESL/ELL
- Adult Literacy
- AIMS Prep
- Art
- ASVAB Prep
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP College Composition
- CLEP College Mathematics
- CLEP Introductory Psychology
- Earth Science
- Elementary School
- Elementary School English
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- English Language Arts Substitute
- ESL/ELL
- Ethics
- Fiction Writing
- Florida EOC Assessment Prep
- GED Prep
- GED Math
- GED Reasoning Through Language Arts
- GED Science
- GED Social Studies
- Handwriting
- HSPT Prep
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- ISEE- Primary
- Languages
- Law
- Learning Differences
- Math
- Math Substitute
- Middle School
- Middle School English
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Science
- Nutrition
- Other
- PARCC Prep
- Phonics
- Pre-Algebra
- Reading
- Russian
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Reading
- SAT Subject Test in Literature
- SAT Subject Test in World History
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Science Substitute
- Social Studies
- Social Studies Substitute
- Special Education
- Spelling Bee
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- SSAT- Middle Level
- SSAT- Upper Level
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Substitute
- Test Prep
- US Constitutional History
- World Religions
- Writing
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help a student become an independent learner by supplying them with the tools they will need to be successful.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
A great way to help a student stay motivated is through the use of positive reinforcements. I would discuss with the parents what a good incentive would be to create motivation.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student is having difficulty with a specific skill or lesson, I would attempt to reteach the lesson using a different approach, whether it means using different learning tools or taking a different approach. A teacher must be flexible for the student's success.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Reading comprehension can sometimes seem like a giant mountain for some students. Like a giant mountain, you can only climb it by taking one step at a time. I start with the questions that can be easily be found directly from the text. Then, I can go deeper in to inferring and making predictions. Finally, we can put it all together by summarizing the piece the student is reading.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
The best way to get a student engaged is by connecting it to a subject that gets them excited. For instance, if a student loves comic books, then use the comic books to apply the reading comprehension strategies.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would complete a pre-assessment or study work recently completed by the student in the area of concern. After I have tutored the student in the area of concern, I would give them a mini post-assessment to determine their mastery of what we have been working on. That way, I can see if I need to offer more support or move on to another area.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Every lesson that I teach is custom created for the special student that I am working with. No two kids are alike; therefore, no two lessons are alike.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I have used many different materials during a lesson. I have used computers, worksheets, textbooks, manipulatives, and really anything that can grab a student's attention and make them want to engage in the lesson.
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is do whatever it takes to help a student gain the mastery of their education.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During a first lesson, I like to take the time to get to know my student, as well as gain their trust that I am there to help them get better at whatever subject they are struggling in. Then, I complete a pre-assessment, as well as a fun interest survey so that I can prepare materials that they would want to take part in.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found using materials that match their needs, as well as their interests, keep the student focused and better engaged.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I build a student’s confidence by starting with materials that are at a beginner’s level to show them how they grow and improve through the lessons.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate students based on their mastery of the items that I am teaching them. Observing and annotating how a student is processing information can greatly inform a teacher tutor on how to better help a student move further.