Before entering education, I was a mother of three and a homemaker. As my children grew older, I explored different roles that allowed me to stay active and engaged in my community, including working as a yoga instructor, ski instructor, and school aide.

 

My own experience as a student shaped me deeply. School was challenging for me.  I was a daydreamer, easily distracted, and often struggled to keep up with my classmates. While reading came naturally, math was difficult to understand, and I often felt like I was working harder than others just to stay afloat.

As I watched my own children move through school, I began to recognize some of those same struggles in them. While they each had their strengths, they also faced challenges in staying organized, maintaining grades, and managing different academic expectations.

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Why I Chose Education

 

My path into education became more intentional when my youngest child was diagnosed with Autism at age 13. School had been especially difficult for him—both academically and socially—and I wanted to find an environment that truly understood and supported his needs.

 

This led me to a charter school that focused on neurodivergent students, where I began working as a paraprofessional. It was here that I discovered a deep passion for teaching and supporting students in ways that aligned with how they learn best.

 

Growing Opportunities

 

Working in a classroom with many students, each with unique learning needs, required me to grow quickly as an educator. I had to learn how to meet each student where they were while still supporting the class as a whole.

 

I developed a flexible, adaptable mindset—what we often referred to as a “bendy brain”—which allowed me to adjust instruction, expectations, and pacing based on student needs.

 

One of the biggest challenges was supporting students who struggled with emotional regulation and impulse control. In stressful or overwhelming situations, behaviors such as shutting down, avoiding work, or becoming disruptive were common.

 

Through experience, I learned a critical lesson: behavior is communication.

Rather than viewing these moments as defiance, I began to understand them as signals that a student needed support, a break, or a different approach. I learned that many students are not unwilling to learn—they may simply lack the tools to express their needs or regulate their emotions in the moment.

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What I Learned

 

This experience fundamentally changed the way I approach teaching.

Today, I meet each student where they are. I no longer expect all learners to fit into the same structure or pace. Instead, I adapt my teaching to support different learning styles, attention spans, and emotional needs.

 

I now:

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• Encourage frequent short breaks instead of pushing through fatigue

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• Provide tools such as fidgets or redirection strategies for distracted learners

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• Respond to resistance with patience rather than frustration

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• Recognize overwhelm or shutdown as a need for support, not defiance

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• Help students understand their own learning patterns and emotional responses

 

Most importantly, I approach each student with compassion and the belief that they will perform if they can.

 

Aha Moments

One of the most meaningful parts of my work has been witnessing real student growth—not just academically, but in confidence and independence.

 

For example, I worked with a student who began significantly behind in both reading and math, with a growing backlog of missing assignments. Initially, he resisted working and struggled to stay engaged.

 

Over time, through consistent support, patience, and relationship-building, his attitude toward learning began to shift. He started to participate willingly, complete assignments, and take ownership of his progress.

 

By the following school year:

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• He had closed his reading gap by two grade levels

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• His math skills improved to the point where he could complete assignments with minimal help

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• His missing assignments dropped significantly

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• His confidence increased, and he took pride in his academic success

 

Moments like these reinforce why I do this work. Helping students not only improve academically, but also believe in themselves, is the most rewarding outcome.

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Building Success

 

I believe every student learns differently, and my role is to adapt to those differences. I focus on building understanding, confidence, and independence by meeting students where they are and guiding them forward at a pace that works for them.

 

If you’re looking for a tutor who understands that every student learns differently and needs individualized support, I would love to help. Reach out to discuss how I can support your student’s learning journey and help them build both skills and confidence.

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