Royal
The most valuable lesson: Everyone can learn
I was born with a sensori-neural hearing loss. What that meant for me was I had difficulty hearing high frequency sounds. My parents bought me a hearing aid that was primitive, but it was the only technology in audiological assistive devices available at that time. I didn't want to "look different" growing up so I never wore it. I went out of my way to avoid bringing attention to myself so I sat as far away from the front of class as I possibly could. I felt "cut off" from the rest of the wor...
ACT Reading
ADD/ADHD
My interest in working with students diagnosed with ADHD extends back to when I became licensed in Special Education. I have a license in Education Of The Handicapped K-12. My endorsements are in learning Disabilities and Severe Behavior Handicaps. My focus is in helping students with ADHD and ADD learn individualized strategies to become successful as students. I have, in my 20 year teaching career, worked with hundreds of students diagnosed with ADHD and I can teach many alternative strategies to offset the negative impact of ADHD on students' educational performance. I have worked at Shaker Heights High School as an Intervention Specialist for 13 years. I believe that ADHD is primarily having difficulty with hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. I like to have my students partner together with me in discovering what strategies work best for them. Each student is unique in their learning styles so there is no "one style fits all" approach. We can divide assignments to manageable segments. I know that generally speaking, physical placement away from windows and doors is helpful to maintain attention as well as opportunities for physical movement enhances learning.
American history
Aspergers
Perhaps students with Asperger's Syndrome are the most misunderstood students I have worked with many student's with Asperger's for over 30 years and I've discovered when i acquired a little knowledge, education, and interest in their difficulties that I could help them and they are among the most enjoyable and rewarding students I've ever had .I focus on teaching and specialize in developing social skills as part of the tutoring experience.I use their intense and narrow interests as a motivator to address content areas they are not excited about. I bring awareness to the student what other people see that they can't. I stress body language, and help students build awareness of how they can more effectively communicate their needs. Asperger's students have great assets that most students don't have such as strong long term memory, persistence, and a hard work ethic which is so helpful in instruction. They can succeed. If there is a teaching environment where there is flexibility, patience, and a willingness to work students with Asperger's can "shine." There are many strategies that work in teaching such as "social scripts" which help students to develop understanding another student's perspective. Students with Asperger's can develop strategies to support meaningful comprehension of material rather than "parroting" type oral and written responses.