Fifth - Eighth Grade

My student are 5-8th graders, with occasional 4th grade siblings included. I encourage students to work toward their potential, approaching their work as creatively as possible. My students have taught me to be patient, letting their intelligence unfold as they mature and are ready, rather than demanding expertise and being frustrated by the results. They have shown me that intelligence comes in a variety of packages.

Many of my students have found their life experiences fit right into the Oak Meadow curriculum and can utilize them in a variety of ways. A child's learning style needs to be understood and learning developed through these methods of understanding, adding a few of the other modes to broaden their approach as they grow. I enjoy the challenge of trying to connect with each student and to help them develop to their potential. The students enjoy a chat weekly, where the children can socialize or ask questions of the teacher.

I describe myself as an artist/teacher and always find myself returning to artistic work, or teaching others to do so. I find myself working with adults as well as children in my community, bringing a bit of creativity and artistic understanding to their lives through classes, demonstrations and workshops. Though it seems contradictory, I have even practiced this philosophy in the remedial college reading techniques class I've taught. Because of the learning differences I have experienced with my family, I have studied a variety of methods to help people learn to read. I have also worked in the adult literacy program in our community. Through these experiences I have learned about the gifts that all people possess and I try to help them utilize these gifts in their educational journey.