Cecelia

I am a certified teacher with more than 30 years of classroom experience, primarily in public and private middle schools. I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics and secondary education from Boston State College and I tutor grades 6-9.

I began my teaching career in New Hampshire, followed with teaching in Geelong and Melbourne, Australia and Ghana, West Africa.  My husband and I raised our family in New Hampshire where I taught a few years at the University of New Hampshire, then at a private K-8 school in Southern New Hampshire.  After moving to Arizona a few years ago, I taught in a public K-8 school in Phoenix.

Along with teaching mathematics, I instructed STEAM classes. I formed an afterschool program for students to participate in the SeaPerch underwater remote-control vehicle competitions and the Stock Market Game,  I was honored to be invited to join other teachers at the Naval Academy for a two week course on Oceanography and later a two week stint on a NOAA ocean fisheries research vessel out of Newport, Rhode Island.  I was a member of the Educators Civil Air Patrol and was awarded State Teacher of the Year by the Air Force Association.

My tutoring style:

I am an enthusiastic math teacher, flexible to adapt to the learning style of my students.  As well as helping my students build a strong foundation in mathematics, I strive to help them develop problem solving skills and an appreciation of the varied strands of mathematics.

Success story:

Due to an extended absence from school due to illness,  a grade 7 student met with me three times a week after school and in no time we covered 4 chapters of work. An advanced grade 6 student set a goal for herself to reach the national level in the Mathcounts Contest. I tutored her once a week after school and she achieved her goal in grade 7.

Some of the highlights of my teaching included bringing a group of New Hampshire students to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama and leading a group of Arizona students to Washington DC in a blizzard.  While teaching in New Hampshire I was the lead coordinator of the 8th grade graduation bus trip to Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.   I've always enjoyed coaching and leading my students on adventures outside the classroom.  I have been active in the Mathcounts math contest program for 6-8 grade students and coached two students who were awarded participation in the Mathcounts National Competition and traveled to Texas and Colorado for those events.

Hobbies and interests:

I enjoy hiking with my husband and dog, traveling, creating stained glass art, ice skating, bicycle riding, and I volunteer at a horse therapy facility.