This class is held on Zoom. A link will be provided once a session is scheduled. 

All times are CENTRAL. Please contact me with questions, for payment information and/or to schedule a session. Please send me as many times (include your time zone) and dates as possible during the days/times listed below that you and/or your student are availabile for this one-time session. You can include your top choices. Some of the times below are already filled with other students, however I am including all times in case one that is currently filled becomes available. Currently I might have availability:

Monday afternoons 2-5pm (Central) 

Tuesdays: 9:30am to 5:00pm (Central)

Wednesdays and Thursdays: contact me for availability

**If none of these times will work for you, please contact me to see if I have additional availability not listed.

This discounted 1:1 TRIAL session is designed to help your learner and I get to know each other, ask questions and see a small sample of my teaching style and activities/topics we can cover in more depth if you decide to continue and register your student in one of my ongoing weekly tutoring sessions. If you choose, this session can also be a parent/guardian conference time where you ask class related questions and discuss your learners needs and your goals. During my time with your learner, we may spend a few minutes practicing phonics/sounds, reading fluency and/or comprehension, learning unfamiliar vocabulary in phonics and reading, language and/or following directions / listening skills / auditory skills / memory skills as well as some brain fitness activities. After this trial class, if you choose to enroll in my ongoing tutoring sessions or a set number of tutoring sessions, this trial class will have given me initial insight into which areas we need to focus on first. Improving the areas I listed above can help learners improve in communication, critical thinking, social skills, study skills and time management. I have also worked with learners to help them prepare for reading tests, standardized tests and school entrance exams. Also, if your child speaks English as a second language, I am TESOL certified and can help him/her improve English skills and practice correct pronunciation of English sounds/words. 

This class is Not a one size fits all class, therefore specific details are not available at this time. I structure my tutoring classes to best fit the needs of your student. Prior to the scheduled class time, please answer the following questions:

- Would you like this session to be a parent conference OR do you want this to be a session where I and your student meet and have a short lesson OR both? 

- If we are meeting for a short lesson, what areas you would like to focus on during the class? The lesson content will be determined by the time we have left if the teacher and parent meet first.

- If you answer the above questions 24 hours prior to class meeting time, a lesson customized for your child will be implemented to practice such topics as: identification (both written and auditory) and pronunciation of phonics sounds and/or reading fluency/comprehension and/or expressive/receptive language skills and/or auditory skills such as comprehension, memory, discrimination, etc. 

- If registering less than 24 hours before class meeting time or the above question hasn't been answered 24 hours prior, then this session will be a get to know each other session with various activities based on my initial observations of our first few minutes in class or will be a parent/guardian and teacher meeting only. 

- If I receive and read an answer to the above question less than 24 hours prior to class meeting time, I will do my best to address at least some of the areas during our session. 

This class is geared toward learners of all types. For those with neurodivergencies, both diagnosed and suspected, I'd like to share my credentials, experience and a general overview of how I help them feel comfortable and successful in my classroom. Whether your learner has a neurodivergency or not, please contact me with questions for more specific information related to your child so you can make the most informed decision. 

I have experience both professionally and as a parent. My M.S. degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences (Speech-Language Pathology) as well as past Master's level certification in special education gave me the training to work with many neurodivergencies. However, over 34 years and counting of experience in public and private schools and online teaching helping these sweet students (I understand, sometimes it can be a challenge☺️) as well as homeschooling my own children some of those years has helped me to learn even better how to help them.  Each learner is unique, as are all of us. I have learned what works for one doesn't always work for another, so I adjust. I have taught many learners individually as well as in groups of a mix of neurodivergent and non-neurodiveregent learners in person and online.

Experience with my own daughter, and something I learned years ago when she was 4, helped me help her and has also helped me help others. It was a process and work over the years, and learning how to help her gave me insight as a parent and what we go through to find what best helps our own children. Today she is a happy and successful adult.

In addition to my experience, I have taken many additional classes over the years to help me become a better educator and have learned about methods, accomodations and materials I've implemented to help my learners even more. I became an Interactive Metronome (IM) Certified Provider 9+ years ago. IM is a computer based brain training tool. I also use non-computerized brain training tools either alone or in conjunction with IM. I saw a very positive shift in my students rate of progress and carryover into multiple areas when I began implementing brain training, both as a stand alone training and as a supplement to other methods I use.

I have worked with many children and teens with diagnosed or suspected ADD / ADHD, those on the autism spectrum, anxiety, auditory processing difficulties / disorder, down syndrome, dyslexia, speech and/or language differences / disorders and many more. 

As I teach, I adjust to help these learners as well as learners who may need or want more challenge. I like to make my classes engaging and fun while maintaining a balance to help students focus and learn. I have found that patient encouragement in a structured and energetic yet relaxed classroom environment helps a learner's brain focus to receive information better. 

When you let me know about your concerns and/or goals for your child, whether there is a diagnosed neurodivergency or suspected or none, I can give more information on how I can help your child. Along with the information you provide, once I have a session or two with your learner, I can give you more specific information on a plan to help us make progress towards your goals for your child.

If you have questions, please contact me.