Brenda
Hi! My name is Brenda. Let's work together on your learning goals.
Hello! My name is Brenda. I am an experienced educator and have a current professional level teacher certification in special education for K - 12th grades. As a requirement of the Maine certification, the State of Maine conducts background checks and indicates the status on the certification. I am happy to share a viewing of my certification which indicates my passing the background check with my clients. I also have over 15 years of teaching experience at the college level. I love the chal...
ISEE
sociology
dyslexia
computer science
autism
I am an experienced certified educator with a Master's degree in Special Education. I completed two majors, one in Learning Disabilities and a second one in Behavior Issues. I also completed a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I utilize the principles of applied behavioral analysis which is considered the most effective teaching strategy for teaching individuals with autism. I have worked with children and adults on the spectrum who are high functioning and highly intelligent, those who have learning disabilities, and others who are in the moderate to severely impaired range. Because each person with autism has a unique learning and behavioral profile, I find it most effective to develop individual plans of intervention with unique goals for each learning and behavior need area. I can also follow plans that may have been already developed by psychologists, teachers, speech, occupational, and physical therapists. Utilizing the ABA techniques and detailed data collection methods to keep track of progress, I have found that developing a daily routine, including routines within the tutoring sessions, works best for everyone associated with a person with autism. Consistency within daily routines and teaching strategies provides the high degree of structure needed for learning to take place. I also use behavior management techniques to replace interfering behaviors with positive behaviors. I find using these routines adds predictability which not only helps learning academic skills, but also manages anxiety and repetitive behaviors that are commonly displayed. And the really inspiring thing is that I have worked with students with autism in colleges proving that with strategies that work for them, they can go on to higher education and lead successful productive lives.
ADD/ADHD
I am an experienced educator with a Masters degree in Special Education with 2 majors, one in learning disabilities and the second major in behavioral issues. I also have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. During over 15 years teaching, I have worked with both children and adults with ADD/ADHD. Depending on the pattern of behaviors an individual displays, we work on academic and/or career goals and learn techniques for staying focused, organized, and calm. I model productive behaviors and remain positive and the student can learn positive learning behaviors which, in turn, can help improve memory and processing functions opening pathways to make progress in learning.
special needs
ADHD
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
study skills
phonics
ACT Math
ACT English
ACT Reading
spelling
elementary math
elementary science
elementary (k-6th)
SSAT
grammar
general computer
geometry
Microsoft Word
prealgebra
reading
writing
English
psychology
SAT math
GED
SAT reading
SAT writing
ASVAB
PSAT
vocabulary
biology
algebra 1
algebra 2
Barbara W. from Falmouth, ME
Brenda arrives at each session thoughtfully prepared, warm, and focused. Brenda has a big and immediate picture that is oriented to the goals that supports our child's needs and developments. How lucky we are.
Lori L. from Topsham, ME
Brenda has been great with my son. She is excellent at figuring out areas where he needs more attention and then adjusting his program to fit his needs. My son really enjoys working with her.
Diana L. from Kents Hill, ME
Brenda has been working with two of our children for about a month now. She has been great. She took the time to find out from me & my husband what we really wanted to focus on. More importantly, she was able to quickly ascertain what our children's strengths & weaknesses were and how to best go about reaching them. Brenda makes lessons fun & interactive for the kids. We feel very lucky to have her as a partner in our children's learning process.
Miranda H. from Falmouth, ME
From the beginning of our search for a tutor in Algebra 1, Brenda stood out in her professional demeanor, clear communication, responsiveness, availability, planning and structure, and personal response with our son. She is very encouraging and respectful, and offers strategies that are tailored to our son's needs. We strongly recommend her as a tutor of high school level math, though I'm sure her strengths go beyond that subject.
Peg D. from Woolwich, ME
Brenda did a great job reviewing SAT math with our daughter. She seemed to key in early on what the problems were and she was always very patient and encouraging. She has a very nice style of teaching. She was very easy to reach and very communicative. Our daughter was much more confident going into the SATs this time around because Brenda helped provide the strategies she needed. I would absolutely recommend her.
L S. from Oxford, ME
Brenda C is an extremely gifted reading tutor. She tailors teaching to the student's way of learning for the best results. And she makes it fun!
Jillaine G. from Falmouth, ME
Brenda works with my son and has off and on for over a year. She is everything a tutor should be. Kind and patient, encouraging and fun, etc. Her experience shows in her work. I highly recommend Brenda!
NANCY P. from Lewiston, ME
She learn about him and he felt very comfortable to ask question. He ask me if she could come back next week. We are talking about a boy that did not want to be tutor. I am hoping that he gets confident about his answers and how to do the math problem.
Scott B. from Freeport, ME
So far my 6 yo has really hit it off with Brenda. She looks forward to the sessions and has a renewed focus on learning. So far so good!