Hello, my name is Alida. I've been educating and supporting children of all ages for the last 30 years, from preschool to high school. I have a certificate in Early Childhood Education, a Diploma in Classroom Support, and a Bachelor's Degree in Child & Youth Care. I am a Structured Literacy Tutor with over 150 hours of training in multiple methods based on the Science of Reading, including Orton-Gillingham. I actively continue to develop my skills and stay informed of the newest developments in reading instruction in order to best support my learners. 

In addition to teaching on Outschool, I am also an educator in an elementary school, where I support students in their academic, social, and emotional development alongside the classroom teacher. For the last 3 years, I have focussed my support in Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. I have worked with neurodivergent students, including ASD, PAD, ADHD, deaf and hard of hearing, English language learners, and more. 

I have been teaching on Outschool since 2020, and my classes reflect my two passions: science & literacy. In all of my classes, I strive to create a learning experience that helps children build a richer vocabulary, a solid knowledge base, and an appreciation for the beautiful planet we share. My classes for the littlest learners, including Little Learner Circle Time and Let's Go on an Adventure, are filled with songs, poems, fingerplays, and fun learning activities that teach letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and much more. My Science Explorers class includes lessons in biology, earth science, and physics, and includes hands on activities, experiments, worksheets, and lots of discussion. My literacy classes, including Let's Explore the Alphabet, Comprehensive Structured Literacy Tutoring, and Creative Writing, are rooted in the science of reading, an evidence-based and continually evolving body of research which focuses on understanding how competent reading skills develop. In all of my literacy classes, my teaching practices include the key areas of literacy development: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. 

If you have questions about any of my classes, please reach out! I would be happy to provide more information. I have several options for 1:1 tutoring and I would be happy to work with you to create a class that's just right for your learner. 

My teaching style is interactive, conversational, and intentional. I encourage learners in all my classes to share their experiences, ask questions, and engage with me and their classmates to the best of their ability and comfort level. I strive to be inclusive of all learners, learning styles, development, and English language levels. Whether your learner joins me for a one time class, a class that meets every week, or for a just a few weeks at a time, I strive to create a welcoming environment that is respectful and open to everyone.

My love of nature stems from my beautiful surroundings near Vancouver, BC, Canada, where I'm surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers, and an abundance of flora and fauna. I share my corner of the world with my favorite humans, a cat, a small flock of chickens, a bearded dragon, and an ever expanding collection of houseplants. I enjoy listening to audio-books while I practice the art of gardening and cooking.