For almost 20 years, I have worked as an English Language Arts teacher, Reading Teacher, and Literacy Specialist. I enjoy working with students of all age and ability levels; from students who are just learning the alphabet and letter sounds all the way to students who are in AP Language/Literature courses at the 11th or 12th grade level. Through my experiences, I know that personalized reading and writing instruction is crucial in preparing students to achieve their goals both now and in the future.
      I have had the honor of working with students who have a wide range of needs. I have worked with both small groups of students and on a 1:1 basis on phonics, phonemic awareness, blending, segmenting, rhyming, etc., to help each student gain a strong literary foundation to be successful in their reading and writing lives. I have also had the privilege of working with students with ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and various other students who need extra support due to medical, emotional, or learning challenges. I enjoy working with students to identify exactly what works for that specific individual to provide the best possible learning structure for success.
      As my work with students has evolved, I realize I am no longer just teaching students to read. I am working with my students on the fundamentals of reading to ensure literary growth along with critical thinking, analysis, prediction, observation…skills they will use forever.  It’s not just about grades or reading levels anymore. It is about supporting both the academic and social emotional growth of every student, every day.