Hi parents and future learners! My name is Sarah. I have two beautiful kids and a precious teddy bear puppy who I spend most of my time with. I enjoy photography, reading, and spending time with my family. My husband and I love to spend time at the beach, do home DIYs, play outdoors with our children, and garden.

I love teaching! I have a passion for nurturing a love of learning in all of my students. I have a Bachelors in Sociology, my K-6 Teaching License, and am a certified Reading Specialist. I have used my formal education and specialty areas to aide in teaching in private, public, virtual, and homeschools. I have also taught as a virtual ESL teacher.  I have experience in coaching and instructing in gyms, heading competitive cheerleading teams, high school cheerleading teams, and recreational gymnastics and safety courses.   My teaching experience has covered areas of all subjects in all elementary grade levels.  I have been the lead classroom teacher for grades third, fourth, and fifth, as well as a Reading Specialist working with small groups of at-risk students grades K - 5th.

I have taught in numerous settings over the past twenty years - from gyms, to virtual settings for ESL, to homes, to schools. My passion for teaching is founded on passing on the JOY of learning to my students...in whatever they are studying. I love integrating throughout my teaching. We can learn life skills during math, math during gymnastics, reading during science, EVERY subject during play...there are so many ways to gain knowledge and most importantly to ENJOY gaining knowledge. My goal is to foster a love for learning and a confidence in knowing that we are all capable of learning.

My hope for learners who attend my classes, is for them to find a space that is inclusive and engaging. We can show our individuality and learn in many different experiences! I look forward to learning and having fun in each class that I offer!

I offer a variety of classes. I have one on one tutoring sessions available for math and reading, or you can create your own concept focus for your child based on their needs. I have grade level specific and content specific courses, along with book clubs offered through ongoing and flexible schedule courses. I also have interest based classes available, that pull in students who enjoy learning through play, interest, etc. Life skills classes are also beneficial for many learners and these are offered as well. In each class, many areas will be integrated to create a space for learners to see learning as experiencing!

I am elated to learn and grow with you and your child through this unique platform!

I hope to see you soon in the classroom!
-Teacher Sarah
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Following is information that will help you as an Outschool parent to create a positive experience for both you and your learner.

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REFUNDS/TRANSFERS INFO:
Outschool's limited refund policy: "Full refund within 24 hours of purchase or up to a week in advance of the class." 

Ensure that you are choosing correct times (AM or PM). These can be easily mistaken if you are enrolling in a hurry. Unfortunately, I am not able to fill a spot last minute, if it is realized that the time of day was mistaken/class was missed. This is a non-refundable policy.

For one-time classes:
If within the week, you realize you won't be able to make class, please submit a transfer request from the classroom at least 24 hours in advance. This ensures another student who would like to take the class has enough time to see the opening and enroll. 
If contacted after class, I cannot refund or transfer. I do understand personal/family emergencies come up and will do my best to support you if I am contacted before class. If your learner is withdrawn on your end within the non-refundable period, the teacher is unable to transfer you. It is best to try to contact me through Outschool before withdrawing your learner. We can go through any available options that would be best for the situation.

You will want to test Zoom before class-I do this as well as a teacher because you never know when something may need to addressed! Technology is wonderful....but sometimes throws us for a loop, ha! I Once we begin class, I don't access my conversations or classroom comments on Outschool, therefor I will not see any comments or messages until after the class has ended.

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CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND MANAGEMENT/MUTING INFO:
I do encourage participation from learners in class. I prefer to leave learners unmuted, but there are instances where learners need to be muted due to background noise. I may ask learners to mute and unmute throughout class if necessary. There are also instances where I will need to utilize mute dur to background noise that may distract other learners. Many times learners and their families may not realize that the background noise is picking up, so it is necessary for me to help with this. Parents, please feel free to mute your learners at your discretion.

As each class begins, I will advise the learners of my expectations. Students will be advised on how to participate-raise hands, thumbs up, etc. I will remind them to be respectful of all learners and to give everyone a chance to participate. These are so important for successful classes. I will use visual and verbal cues to remind my younger learners of the expectations. 

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SIBLING INFO:
Siblings are welcome to participate in the class together, but they must EACH be enrolled to be fair to other students participating. Enrolled siblings are welcome to share a screen during class. 

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CLASS CANCELLATION INFO:
If a class has not met the minimum number of enrollments, it is subject to being canceled. I will send a message asking if you'd like a transfer to another date & time or full refund if the class is canceled. Automatic refunds are issued for no responses after original class start time.