Carol
PreK - Elementary Reading, Math, Handwriting, Study Skills
My education certification is in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education with an emphasis in K - 8 Reading from The University of Iowa. I owned and operated my own preschool for thirty years. I have many Montessori math and science manipulatives to help children's understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. I have binomial and trinomial cubes to help with beginning algebra. I do activities with Cuisenaire rods instead of using Montessori bead material, as well...
dyslexia
hard of hearing
handwriting
autism
In my elementary education degree program I took a course in Exceptional Children and more recently I have taken professional development classes on challenging behaviors. In my thirty years of teaching preschoolers, I had several that were in the autism spectrum. I currently tutor a 12-year-old who has autism and problems with sensory integration. There are techniques that I use that can help not only autistic children, but all children. Picture schedules or charts, like First/Then are very helpful. I also allow children to make as many choices as possible. I help children identify their feelings, learn life skills, break down tasks into smaller elements, teach social skills (giving children the appropriate words to say in different situations), some basic sign language. Some items are also useful to use with these children. I've used such things as a weighted vest, sandpaper letters and multiple tactile activities, fidgets, and so forth. It's very important to team up with families. I also use Brain Gym activities with all children, especially benefiting these children, to integrate the right and left hemisphere of the brain.
geography
English
proofreading
art history
elementary math
elementary science
elementary (k-6th)
phonics
study skills
special needs
ADHD
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ADD/ADHD
I am currently tutoring a 6th grade boy with severe ADD/ADHD, have participated in the boy's IEP, and have had two sons who also have it, so I have a lot of empathy and background. With ADD/ADHD it is particularly important to have a very quiet place in which to do homework or study. Short study breaks are done in ten or fifteen minute intervals, according to the child. Having a routine and a planner are very important, as well as every day communication with the teachers at school. As I do with Dyslexia, I implement Brain Gym exercises, and the Learning Breakthrough Program by Balametrics, Inc. Some ADD/ADHD children do better if they can hold a "fidget" in one hand. I often give them a small ball of modeling beeswax that can be manipulated once children warm it up in their hands.
Aspergers
I have had several children with Aspergers or high-functioning autism over the course of my career. Besides taking advantage of their high interest subject matter obsession, by providing a lot of experience and reading material, I have them do a project in their high interest area, and have them share it with the rest of the children. I look for opportunities for the Asperger's child to interact with the other children and make friendships. I have many books to use with children about feelings, how to make friends, and problem solving, which I use with all the children.
writing
vocabulary
grammar
reading
Cindy A. from Iowa City, IA
Our son has been receiving tutoring with Carol for a number of months. She is very patient with him, and takes the time to help him work on his skills well. The results are evident in his school performance. We are very grateful for her kindness, generosity, and assistance with him. She is wonderful.
Karen L. from Iowa City, IA
Carol is a true gem! My son can be quite challenging to tutor, with a very short attention span and a never-ending need for sensory input. Carol has tackled these challenges by switching from one topic to another, so that he doesn't get bored, and coming up with learning tactics that appeal to his sensory needs. She is so imaginative and clever, and gently commands, without demanding, authority and respect. My son really enjoys working with her. In the past, with tutors or with me, he would often run and hide or come up with excuses to leave the room, or just have a full-out melt-down. Not so, at least not yet, with Carol! I feel confident that she would be able to handle whatever he throws her way. Update, 9/10/14: Carol has continued to do well with my son. He has had some difficulties with transitions lately (e.g., after a holiday or after a weekend) and Carol has demonstrated patience and firmness, as needed. She is determined to find ways to get through to him and help him to stay interested. She sees that he has the ability to learn and retain and sincerely wants to help him find what works best for him that day, as what works one day may not work the next.
Nivedita J. from Iowa City, IA
Carol is effective and very skilled at teaching. Carol makes learning so much fun. She is extremely knowledgeable about teaching children. She comes prepared and engages children in age-appropriate teaching as well as activities. She is simply wonderful!
Sue R. from Iowa City, IA
DJ is a new student with Carol, but he really likes her. This is not always the case, so I am happy that he wants to go back!
Yudong R. from Iowa City, IA
She is a very patient and careful tutor. She not only helped to check my grammar in my class paper, but also taught me lots of concise expression.