Donna

About Me

I have more than 18 years of experience educating students in public, private, and international schools, and in private and small-group tutoring. I have worked with a diverse population, including those with learning differences, English language learners, and twice-exceptional students. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in both Counseling and Elementary Education.

Tutoring Style

My tutoring style is dynamic and student-centered, focusing on integrating students' interests into lessons to make learning both fun and relevant. I ensure my students are fully involved in the learning process while adjusting my approach to suit their unique personalities and needs. I believe in guiding my students to think critically, find patterns, and show different ways to solve problems and arrive at answers. Giving students a well-rounded understanding can empower them to find the method that works best for them. My adaptability and creativity in teaching ensure that each student feels supported, confident, and motivated to learn.

Success Story

I tutored a second grader with low confidence in math. She feared being wrong, so we first worked on how learning from mistakes can be fun and helpful. I used online manipulatives and visual models to help her see patterns and identify what was happening in a problem, and we built her number sense through games. We started with the basics to build her confidence, and once she saw she could do it, she was unstoppable. She became a confident 'mathlete' who was eager to tackle challenging word problems, and always wanted to work right up until the last second of our sessions, and math became her favorite subject!

Hobbies & Interests

I lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, boxing, weightlifting, hiking, and yoga. I love listening to audiobooks, solving jigsaw puzzles, playing board games, increasing my Spanish fluency, and spending time at the beach with my husband and our two dogs.

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