Education

• Masters Degree, Wheelock College
• Orton-Gillingham, IMSLEC
• Moderate Needs K-12
• Project Read, Carroll School
• MGH, MIT, Reading Institute

Teaching

• Special Needs/Reading Teacher, K-12
• Literacy Teacher, METCO, Boston
• Classroom Teacher
• Reading Specialist, Bedford
• Learning Specialist, Weston

Approach to Teaching

• Multi-Sensory
• Sequential
• Developmental
• Multiple Intelligences
• Responsive Classroom

2007-Present

Learning Specialist/Private Tutor, Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Newton, Sudbury, Weston

• Design evidence based sequential multi-sensory (kinesthetic, auditory, tactile, and visual) lessons and extended learning for students, including combining the outdoors with lessons
• Teach reading and writing (structured literacy)
• Strengthen executive functioning: note-taking, organization and outlining
• Develop concrete study skills and test-taking strategies
• Consult regularly with parents, teachers, specialists and district special needs directors

2017

Reading Specialist, Dedham Country Day School

• Taught evidence based reading to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students,1-1 and small groups.

2017

Special Needs Teacher, Arlington Public School Summer School

• Design reading, writing and math lessons based on IEP goals
• Direct instruction for students grades 2-4
• Communication with specialists, teachers and families
• Progress reports

2015

Special Needs Teacher - Learning Center, John Glenn Middle School, Bedford, MA

• Created a calm and encouraging environment
• Taught reading to small groups and 1:1
• Administered PARCC and MCAS tests
• Updated progress reports, Aspen

2014

Special Needs Teacher - Resource Room, Diamond Middle School, Lexington

• Provided a supportive and engaging environment for grades 6-8
• Students received academic and organizational support based on their IEPs.
• Prepared IEPs using Aspen and attended IEP meetings.

2010-Present

Substitute Teacher, Lexington, Weston

2008-2011

Literacy Consultant, METCO, Roxbury

2004-2006

Learning Specialist, Meadowbrook School, Weston

Orton Gillingham Tutor, Masonic Children’s Center, Lexington

The Hochman method - evidence based writing; The Science of Reading, Maryanne Wolfe; Rethinking Phonological Awareness; Professoinal Knowledge and Effective Literacy Instruction; Intersection of ADHD, Dyslexia, and Anxiety; Debunking Neuromyths; Morphology in Content Subject Areas; Special Education Law; Assistive Technology, A New Day in Education for Students with Dyslexia; Liven Up Your Sentance Writing!: A Bridge to Narrative and Expository Writing, Dr. Charles Haynes & Dr. Leslie Laud; Summer Slide, Glide, or Gain; Identification of Dyslexia K-12, College, University, and Workplace; Building Knowledge : The Missing Ingredient in Comprehension and Literacy; The 3 Ms of Math: Morphology, Metacognition, and Mastery; Implementing Best Practices in All Schools; The Impact of Reading to Dogs; Writing from Sources : Instructional Practices and Scaffolds; Improving Reading Fluency Outcomes : Data-Inspired Instruction; Academic Research and Education Technology; EdTech to Enhance Structured Literacy Instruction; Teaching Students with Poor Comprehension; Is Dyslexia a Gift?; Learning Disability Innovation Symposium MIT: Cognitive Neuroscience and Dyslexia, John Gabrielli Ph.D; ADHD and Learning; Dyslexia Interventions; Math:Explicit Language and Hands On Manipulatives; The Brain, Metacognition and the OG approach; Language and Literacy Instruction for English Language Learners, Elsa Cardenas-Hagan; Writing SRSD (Self Regulated Strategy Development)

Understanding ADD/ADHD, Dr. Edward Hallowell; Metacognition's Effect on Reading Comprehension and Written Expression; Common Core Writing Intervention; Expository and Basic Writing Instruction, Dr Judith Hochman; Orton-Gillingham; IMSLEC; Project Read; Reinforcing Reading and Spelling through Games; Creative Nonfiction: Researching, Writing, Revising and Common Core; The Role of Executive Functioning, Science and Neurobiology (Sally Shaywitz & Bennett Shaywitz, Yale), Investigating Developmental Dyslexia (Nadine Gaab, Children's); Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Florence Lai, MGH); Behavior Management & School Accommodations; Remediations & Accommodations for Dyslexia; Medications for ADHD; Lessons from Neuroscience; Botany and Creative Writing; Assessment and Testing; Recent Developments in Special Education Law; Teaching Vocabulary to Increase Comprehension; Reading First: 3 Keys to Note Taking; Literacy and Diverse Learners; The Impact of Special Needs; Child Development; Culture and Language; Curriculum Design, Numeracy and Diverse Learners; Learning and Teaching Science; Narrative Research; Inclusive Elementary Programs; Building Responsible Classrooms; Social Economics: Robert Reich; Lenny Zakim- World of Difference: A.D.L.

2000-2001

Wheelock College, Boston, MA

• Masters Degree, Elementary Education
• Award: Wheelock Community Award for enhancing wellbeing of children and families
• Award: Disney Corporation Award for language arts unit

Observation, Testing, Portfolio, Multiple Intelligences, Responsive Classroom

1985-1993

Director of Community Service, B'nai B'rith International Foundation, Boston, MA

• Developed and implemented citywide intergenerational (Generations Growing Together), food collection (Project Mazon), and immigrant support programs. Linked 1000 Wellesley, MIT, NE, Harvard, BU, Babson students & Boston area families to educational and community projects.
• Awards: Haber National Award, congressional and city awards from Senator Ted Kennedy, Congressman Barney Frank, Governor Michael Dukakis and Elsie Frank

Naturalist, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA

• Developed an environmental curriculum for 30 children. Taught children farming, pond life identification, animal care, gardening, recycling, conservation, nature and crafts.

N.E. Regional Volunteer Director, Hostelling International, Boston, MA

• Created and managed the New England Program for hostels in Boston, Littleton, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod and New Hampshire
• Recruited, interviewed and matched volunteers with hostels
• Promoted cross-cultural education through diverse travel presentations, ethnic meals and speakers

Assistant Director, Camp Kingswood, Bridgton, ME

• Supervised 90 staff members and 200 children

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Bachelor of Arts, 1986
Awards: Mortar Board, Honors
Honors focus: Creating self-sustaining non-profit programs

Town of Lincoln Conservation, provide trail information, amphibian crossings

Grassroots Wildlife Conservation, Blandings Turtle Project

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Sudbury Valley Trustees

Wayland Walks, Lead walks for people of all ages in all seasons on conservation trails

Debbie S. Miller, author, Publicize Alaskan educational programs

Pie In The Sky

Consultant, Radio Station, WUMB 91.9, UMASS, Boston, MA

• Coordinated innovative radio program with speakers, musicians, storytellers and poets.
• Nominated:  Gabriel Award and other Massachusetts Broadcasting Awards

Volunteer, Robert Reich

Fundraiser, Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation, Brookline MA

• Planned special benefit featuring documentary film COUNTDOWN TO FREEDOM, with the film's director Danny Schecter and singer/songwriter Fred Small.

• Guided walks in every season for all ages and abilities: walks, hikes, snowshoeing, xc skiing (local and requested sites)
• Volunteer, Mountain Rescue, Mt. Monadnock and Mt. Cardigan, NH
• Volunteer Trail Guide, Appalachian Mountain Club
• Naturalist, nature photographer, hiker, mountaineer, cc skier, snowshoer
• Completed the 48 4000 footers in White Mountains of NH, mostly in winter
• Completed Appalachian Mountain Club winter and backcountry workshops
• Solo Wilderness First Aid, CPR

Nature Observation and Photography, Nature Based Education, Blandings Turtles, Salamander Crossings, Libraries, International Dyslexia Association, Massachusetts Audubon, Cornell Ornithology, Nature Conservancy, The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Appalachian Mountain Club, Raptor Migration, Organic Gardening