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About Becky D.
Experience
Online Home School Teacher
Jan, 2014 - PresentD Academy
In today's world, many parents prefer to home school their children but either don't have the time to home school themselves or are unsure in one or more areas. That's where I help. At the initial consultation, I give the student a link to an online diagnostic test to get a general idea of current working levels in the desired subjects. I evaluate the test results and develop a customized learning plan detailing specific strengths and weaknesses. HOW DOES ONLINE HOME SCHOOL WORK? The frequency of lessons and the length of lessons are completely under your control! Four of my students have had daily lessons. One of these began at two hours each. Much more common though are lessons 2 or 3 times weekly with assigned work in-between. We use Zoom Video Conferencing to connect. Zoom allows us to see each other as well as speak and hear each other. Zoom also enables screen sharing. This means that I can show the learner what my screen looks like as I'm demonstrating a concept or the learner can show me what he/she is doing. We also make use of a whiteboard. We are both able to write on the same board at the same time. The whiteboard also enables us to download documents straight to the whiteboard. This allows us to write straight on worksheets or any other documents we add. The curriculum I use is based on the progression found at IXL.com and Education.com It is self-created and unique to each learner as it is based entirely on the needs of the individual learner. I use a variety of sources to present/teach and reinforce concepts including: IXL, YouTube, Education.com, BrainPop, Flocabulary, ReadWorks as well as many others.
Music Teacher/Reading Specialist
Aug, 2018 - Aug, 2019House of Zion Homeschool
Created and implemented the reading program for a new home school. I met with each student (12) daily. Students had individualized plans that were created based on personal needs and strengths. Also taught classroom music to all students.
Site Director, Coordinator
Aug, 2014 - May, 2016Arts-In-Mind
Arts-In-Mind is a non-profit after-school program with four sites in the St. Louis Public Schools. It's an arts-based program using theatre as its unifying focus. As site director, I ensure the program is in compliance with state laws. As coordinator, I formulate and implement lesson plans designed to encourage student creativity, critical thinking and self-reflection.
Technology Adjunct
Jan, 2012 - Dec, 2013Southwestern Illinois College
I taught computer concepts. The students learned things as basic as how to turn the computer on and off as well as what a mouse is. The students also learned, at the basic level, how to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I used available technology such as Quia.com, Blackboard, personal website, Smartboard, and Elmo to enrich student learning, increase student motivation and class involvement, and improve student understanding of class material resulting in 76% of 123 students earning an A or B. I monitored individual student progress and provided intervention when needed resulting in 4 students raising their class grade from D to B and 5 other students raising their grade from F to B.
Teacher - Music and First Grade
Dec, 1990 - Dec, 2009St. Joan of Arc Catholic School, Self Employed, Alton School District
Taught music for approximately 9 years, substitute taught for 1 year then taught first grade for approximately 9 years. As a first grade teacher, was frequently complimented by second grade teachers that my students were always noticeably ahead in reading. I was also actively involved in building and district committees. I created and chaired a building recycling committee making it the largest recycling program in the district. I also served as the vice-president, then president, of the district-wide Local Professional Development Committee. Teachers are required to earn a specific number of Professional Development credits yearly in order to maintain certification. It was the LPDC's job to check these credits for over 750 teachers in the district, maintain the list of how many credits have been earned, what was done to earn the credits, when the credits were earned and make sure every teacher earned the appropriate number and type of credits. I developed and maintained the database that stored this information. As a result of our work, 0 teachers lost their certification due to missed deadlines.
Student Mentor/Tutor
Jun, 1982 - PresentMultiple Locations
Upon initial consultation, the student is given a diagnostic test to determine the most effective teaching strategies, as well as content strengths and weaknesses. I then evaluate the test results and develop a customized learning plan, emphasizing specific targeted goals for achievement during tutoring sessions. Together with the student (and parents of child students) determine long-term learning goals. Input from other sources, such as student’s teachers, is often included in this phase of planning. The ultimate goal is to realize progress and success while reinforcing strengths and overcoming weaknesses. I then formulate a lesson plan prior to each tutoring session. It outlines specific objectives to be met in that session, based on the student’s personal progress. This plan corresponds with the predefined goals in the student learning plan. All activities completed during the tutoring session are written for the purpose of achieving the stated learning objectives. The lesson plan and tutoring session are modified, as needed, to improve the student’s progress. Flexibility exists for accommodating problems, such as additional study requirements for accomplishing a learning goal. This flexibility is also beneficial when the student accomplishes a learning goal more quickly than anticipated. I've mentored/tutored more than 500 students with a success rate over 90% as measured by improved grades in school, increased appropriate participation in classroom, more initiative and self-motivation, improved subject matter understanding, and increased enjoyment of academic work. I have delivered an accurate evaluation of new student's learning styles, academic strengths and academic weaknesses with a success rate over 95% as measured by results of pre-session diagnostic testing compared to performance in lessons, feedback from classroom teachers and parental comments.
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Aug, 1985 - Dec, 1989University of Missouri at St. Louis
Master of Arts
Jan, 2002 - Aug, 2005Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Certifications
Missouri Music K-12
Dec, 1989University of Missouri St Louis
Illinois Self-Contained (Classroom) K-9
Jul, 1998Illinois Department of Education
Illinois Music K-12
Aug, 1995Illinois Department of Education
Awards
Phi Kappa Phi honor society membership
Aug, 2005Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Affiliations
National Tutoring Association
Feb, 2015The NTA was formed in 1992 for the purpose of establishing a membership organization for tutoring professionals. The NTA is dedicated exclusively to tutoring, and represents the interests of thousands of tutors in the U.S. and thirteen other countries, practicing in all phases of tutoring, program administration, and supplemental student services.
Languages
English
Native Proficiency
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