Hello, My name is Karen McGougain Diaz. My students call me Teacher K. I have been a special education itinerant teacher with  NYC for ten years, working in a variety of classroom settings. The classroom settings that I have worked in are Collaborative team teaching classrooms, self contained classrooms, and integrated classrooms. The children that I worked with were between the ages of three to fifteen years of age. My focus is to cover and work on all of the developmental domains with the children. My activities are focused on working on the gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, and social emotional domains. My experience involves social skills groups with autism children, as well.
        My educational background includes holding  a dual masters degree in childhood general education and special education. I also have twelve graduate credits towards a masters in literacy. I was awarded with a professional New York State teaching certificate in January of 2021.
      Currently, I work as an elementary reading, writing, and math tutor for Varsity and as an early intervention specialist.  I have been a tutor for the past 18 years working with grades K thru 12. Some of the companies that I've worked with are Champion Learning, Sylvan Learning Center, and Varsity Tutors. The age groups that I work with are from  pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. I tutor math, writing and reading. Lastly, I have experience working as a creative writing instructor. I spend my summers as a creative writing teacher at various camps and programs throughout NYC.
       My philosophy is that we should teach the child and not just the curriculum. My teaching style is child- centered. I believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in their learning process. Every child has the ability to learn. It is my experience that children learn best through positive reinforcement and encouragement and doing the things that they love.
        Some fun facts about me is that I love to play my alto saxophone. I absolutely love numbers and math. I love creating and making things, anything art related. I love to sing and ride bikes.  All of these skills that I have, I always incorporate into my lessons and tutoring sessions.