Splendid Storytime: Dragons Love Tacos!

⭐New to Outschool? We are so happy to have you here! Use code OliviaM20 for $20 off your first class!⭐

What's up, rockstars! My name is Olivia, and I'm thrilled to work with you and your learner!

I am a former elementary school teacher turned online educator, and I'm passionate about helping students achieve their full potential while catering to their individual academic needs.
 
I have always been passionate about education. I began setting up classrooms in my living room and teaching my stuffed animals at five. I officially started my career in education as a martial arts instructor 🥋 when I was just 14 years old, working with kids as young as three through adulthood. I left the martial arts studio to pursue higher education🎓 . During my time in college, I took the opportunity to become a substitute teacher to gain experience working with students on an academic level in grades K-12. 

After earning my degree in elementary education, I embarked on a seven-year journey in the classroom, teaching every grade from kindergarten to fifth. Five of these years were spent at an arts-integrated school, a setting that allowed me to hone my skills in making learning a fun and engaging experience for young learners. I took on various roles within the school community, from running after-school tutoring to coaching kickball ⚽ and the Battle of the Books 📚 team. I even founded the school's karaoke club 🎤, fostering a love for music and creativity among my students. As an instructional mentor, I provided feedback and guidance to new teachers, further deepening my understanding of effective teaching strategies.

Wanting to do more for students individually, I decided to transition from the classroom to online teaching in the summer of 2021. While I provide small group and asynchronous instruction in my online classroom, my true passion is teaching and tutoring in a one-to-one setting. I love how, in this setting, I can create a custom, personalized learning experience for my students where we can address their learning needs in a fun and efficient way. In the one-to-one setting, I help your learner focus on developing their favorite strategies to make even the most complex skills easier to comprehend. Together, your child and I work to build their academic confidence. In other words, I like to make learning easier and much more fun.

Through my classroom experience and continued professional education, I have developed a deep understanding of what skills students need to be successful in each grade. I have a vast knowledge of the Common Core State Standards and many popular curriculums, including Saxon, Wonders, Engage NY, Pearson Math, etc. In addition to my experience teaching various subjects for grades K-6, I also specialize in teaching math and reading. I deeply understand the specific skills and concepts students need to master in these subjects, and I create customized lessons to address their individual learning needs. Whether it's helping students build a strong foundation in math or fostering a love for reading, I am dedicated to making learning an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your child. With this, I work with your child to identify any knowledge gaps or misconceptions they have, help close those gaps, and then make learning accessible for them. 

Learning should be a fun, engaging process that allows room for exploration, creativity, and mistakes. Whether in a group setting or a one-to-one class, they will experience a safe and encouraging environment where mistakes are no big deal and hard work is celebrated🥳!