Real Talk - “Hang Out” Social Club for Preteens & Teens (Conversational Skills)

🙋🏻‍♀️ Hi! Thank you so much for showing interest in my classes and mentorship experiences. 

✨ TEACHER: I am a certified middle school reading and language arts teacher with over 13 years of classroom experience and 3+ years of virtual teen mentoring. I hold an Associates Degree in Exceptional Student Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have worked extensively with students that have emotional and behavior disorders and a wide variety of students with disabilities. In addition, I spent years teaching gifted students, inclusive classroom settings, and a mixture of all academic/English language learner levels.
✨MENTOR: I have mentored over 300 students in the 3 years that I have been offering services online and I am so proud of the results we have all seen. Not only do I teach the content I’ve carefully curated for my students, but I’ve also implemented all my methods into my own life, as well as in the lives of my two older children, so my planning methods, gratitude journaling, and life coaching is sustainable, consistent, and most importantly — proven to be effective. I am also a foster and adoptive parent that has ongoing certified training on how trauma significantly impacts learners in multiple ways. I currently volunteer in elementary school classrooms and as a child welfare mentor for fellow foster and adoptive parents. In addition, I have training in cognitive behavior methods for anxious learners with personal experience in the area as well.
✨SOCIAL MEDIA + CONTENT CREATOR: In addition to Outschool, I am currently a certified social media manager and content creator with experience in graphic design, building relationships via digital platforms, and digital content marketing.  My graphic design classes derive from my passion for creativity and design. 

Why me? 
👩🏻‍🏫 I have taught children of all ages in kindergarten through twelfth grade. My experience ranges from working with special education students and 504s/IEPs, all the way through gifted learners requiring more rigor and teaching at a faster pace. I have a deep understanding of how every child has their own way of processing information. It’s my mission to help them discover what works best for them and guide them to reach their fullest potential — however they need to find their own paths. I love teaching writing and I am a firm believer that children can be independent and active learners, even online! 

In addition to teaching English Language Arts in classroom settings, I have taught the following electives and clubs: 
- Model United Nations/Competitive Speech and Debate
- Journalism
- Dance
- Musical Theater
- Broadcasting
- Youth Mentorship (for at risk youth)
- High School Readiness 

🍎 Teaching IS Personal. I fully acknowledge that this is a professional platform, but so much of our involvement as teachers goes well beyond the role of a teacher. I have a history of anxiety and two neurodivergent sons; one that struggles with a combination of inattentive and hyperactive ADHD, and another child on the autism spectrum.  I would love for your children to use me and my life experiences as guidance through what can feel so isolating (if they need an adult to relate to). I try my best to connect to each learner below the surface to provide the best experience I possibly can. 

💻 On Outschool I teach a variety of life skills for modern preteens and teenagers. I feel that with so many responsibilities of the 21st century teenager, a lot of vital skills are being forgotten. Helping others feel confident, get organized, and be independent is a true passion for me because it is a skill that can carry them into adulthood and help them significantly in their academic and personal lives. I know from experience how challenging it can be to struggle with organization and the significant impact it makes when you effectively change your habits.  My love of graphic design is the newest addition to my Outschool options and I love every single minute of it. Watching my students fall in love with graphic design and their creativity is my ultimate favorite thing to do!  

🌍 Our world is changing so much and there is so much to learn from people all over the globe. I’m excited to engage students with collaborative activities and encourage them to take ownership of their knowledge. Children can do so much when they work together and establish solid foundations of concepts with encouragement. 

🫶🏼 Please feel free to read the reviews of the incredible learners I’ve had the pleasure of teaching online. Their feedback is constantly used by me to personally reflect upon my teaching and improve in any way I can, whether it be positive or an area that people genuinely think I can improve in. I’m always open and willing to learn. 

⭐️ I look forward to getting to know all my learners and have fun!