Initially I enrolled at Baruch College to pursue studies in International Finance, later I transferred to the College of New Rochelle to complete my undergraduate studies with a focus in Sociology and English. Shortly after earning my BA at the College of New Rochelle, I was accepted into Hofstra University's graduate school of education to be professionally trained as an elementary grade teacher. I was searching for a rigorous graduate program and I found it! After earning my MSed at Hofstra, I immediately began teaching with great enthusiasm.
What I enjoy most about teaching is learning to meet each student at their need, with their interests at heart. In life you build friendships, and as educators you learn to value the thoughts and ideals of your colleagues. My tutoring experience began with a little boy who was told he was stupid and slow by other students in class; they didn't know his father had passed away from cancer over the summer. He was my first student to tutor. He lost interest in learning because he felt no one showed interest in what he considered important. From then on, I make it my signature to ask each student before each session, "tell me about your day".
It only takes a moment, but it has lasting meaning. I've tutored students from grades K-5 and always show gratitude to the parents for their efforts and commitments. My favorite subjects to tutor are English, Science and Social Studies. Learning the various parts of speech, how to improve spelling and build vocabulary while exploring the world of literature is fascinating with life-long rewards. Science opens a world of discovery, often encompassing math and opportunities to write extensively about what's learned or observed. Social Studies is our pathway to revisit history and events that have led up to where we are as a nation as a people sharing planet earth.
I share John Dewey's theory "Children learn by doing and that Learning occurs through experience". Students often ask me, "what are we going to do today?" because each session is often different in approach or technique to keep students in engaged and excited about being life-long learners. Most importantly, I always remember to set an example by including myself as a pedagogue, I'm a life-long learner too.