About Connections

Teaching children and making lasting, meaningful connections with those I work with is the joy of my career. Seeing my students grow in their social-emotional learning as well as academically is the most rewarding feeling there is. I hold teaching credentials in California, New Hampshire, and North Carolina! I have taught at wonderful schools like The Center for Early Education in West Hollywood, CA for the past 10 years, Hampstead Academy in Hampstead, NH, and at Winget Park Elementary in Charlotte, NC. I have a M.ed. from the University of New Hampshire and studied English/Writing/Journalism as well. 

Professional Development:

✦DIBELS

✦Fountas & Pinnell

✦The Writing Revolution 

✦TCRWP, Columbia University, New York: Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

✦Wilson Language Training: Fundations®, Los Angeles: Pre-K to Grade 3: Grounded in the Science of Reading

✦DI Train the Trainer, Manchester: Trained to facilitate Differentiated Instruction based educational workshops.

✦EdTechTeacher, San Diego: iPad Summit. Ed Tech Teacher Innovation Workshop, Design39 Campus 

✦Responsive Classroom, Sacramento: Approach to engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness.

✦The Two Sisters, Los Angeles: The Daily 5, ELA classroom management

✦CATDC, Los Angeles: Comprehension and Critical Thinking Through Conversation, The Power of Mindful Self-Regulation

✦CATDC Women + Leadership Conference

✦Greg Tang Math: Ten Best Practices for Teaching and Learning Math

✦K-8 Singapore Math, Math in Focus 

✦CSEE, Los Angeles: Inclusion in the Early Years, Grief and Crisis Resources and Events

✦Balanced Literacy training

✦CEE Leadership Fellow Mentor Program

✦CEE Leadership Fellow Maker Program

✦CEE Mentor

✦CEE Professional Development Committee

My experience teaching at The Center for Early Education and Leona Jackson School has been incredibly rewarding. I have had the opportunity to support students in meeting their individual educational needs through tailored instruction and intervention. Working as a literacy coach, I have been able to provide research-based professional development to teachers and deliver targeted interventions to small groups of students. Seeing the progress and growth of each child has brought me immense joy and fulfillment in my career. My education background, with a masters degree from Pepperdine University and a bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina, has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of my students.

Professional Development:

✦Orton Gillingham Reading Certification

✦Systems Thinking Training 

✦Linda Mood Bell Certification 

✦DIBELS

✦Fountas & Pinnell

✦2020 NAIS People of Color Conference

✦The Teachers College of Reading,  Reading Institute 

✦Introduction to Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) UCLA Mathematics Project 

✦Teaching While White: Understanding Whiteness And its Impact on Teaching and Learning 

✦Mindfulness in the K-12 Classroom with Dave Mochel (Year Long Study)

✦Wilson Language Training: Fundations®, Los Angeles: Pre-K to Grade 3: Grounded in the Science of Reading

✦Navigating Gender and Sexual Diversity in PreK-12 

✦The Power of Mindful Self-Regulation

✦Developing Your Leadership Capacity Cohort (Year Long Study)

✦CEE Leadership Fellow Mentor Program

✦The Teachers College of Writing, California Writing Institute 

✦Singapore Math Training 

✦Comprehension and Critical Thinking Through Conversation

✦Reinventing Mathematics Education Winter 2016

✦CEE Mentor 2014-2016

✦EE Leadership Fellow 

✦Women’s Leadership Seminar 

✦BTSA Support Provider 

✦Professional Development Committee 

✦Balanced Literacy training

✦TIPS technology training 

✦Professional Learning Communities Site Leader/District Leader

✦District Coach Leader 

✦District English Language Arts Adoption Committee 

✦District Vision and Mission Statement Task Force 2008-2009

✦District Writing Committee Facilitator 

✦Leona Jackson School “Very Important Person” Award 2007

✦Facilitator of Student Success Team 

✦Junior League of Los Angeles 

✦New Teacher of the Year at Villa Heights Academic Center 

My experience in education has been diverse and fulfilling, with teaching roles at independent schools such as The Center for Early Education, The Fessenden School, and The Chestnut Hill School. I furthered my education by obtaining a Master's degree in education from Lesley University and holding teaching credentials in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Currently, as an ambassador and implementation lead for Fly Five with The Center for Responsive Schools, I have found joy in helping with teachers develop  through coaching, feedback, and assignments. The true joy I feel when working with children has led me to pursue tutoring at Connections, where I am able to make a positive impact on young learners.

Professional Development:

✦Orton Gillingham Reading Certification

✦Math In Focus 

✦Everyday Math

✦Project Read

✦Handwriting Without Tears

✦DIBELS

✦Fountas & Pinnell

✦Responsive Classroom Levels 1 & 2

✦Zana Bloser Handwriting 

✦Open Circle

✦Framing Your Thoughts 

✦EmPower 

✦Daily Five

✦Writing Workshop: The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project 

✦The Writing Revolution 

✦Hubspot

Over the years, my experience teaching in independent schools, most recently The Center for Early Education, has been incredibly rewarding. I have had the privilege of working with motivated students and dedicated colleagues who have inspired me to continually strive for excellence in my practice. My work with Fly Five, a social emotional learning curriculum out of The Center for Responsive Schools, has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the importance of fostering social and emotional skills in students. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that this curriculum has had on students, helping them develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a transformative program and look forward to continuing to support the social and emotional growth as well as the academic growth of the students I tutor.

Professional Development:

✦ Orton Gillingham

✦  Wilson Language Training: Fundations®

✦ The Writing Revolution 

✦ TCRWP, Columbia University, New York: Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

✦ Responsive Classroom: Approach to engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness.

✦ The Two Sisters, Los Angeles: The Daily 5, ELA classroom management

✦ CATDC, Los Angeles: Comprehension and Critical Thinking Through Conversation, The Power of Mindful Self-Regulation, CATDC Women + Leadership Conference

✦ Greg Tang Math: Ten Best Practices for Teaching and Learning Math

✦ K-8 Singapore Math, Math in Focus 

✦ Responsive Classroom:

Approach to Engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness

✦ SEL Certification from Breathe for Change and Yoga Alliance

✦ RULER Academic Curriculum

✦ Words Their Way

✦ TERC Mathematics Investigation Curriculum, Backwards Design

Reflecting on my years teaching at Hampstead Academy and now at Building Block Commons, I am grateful for the opportunity to embrace the holistic growth of each individual child. By utilizing the Orton Gillingham curriculum, Eureka Math, and integrating science, engineering, and mathematics, I am able to support their physical, emotional, social, and academic development. Spending the majority of our time outdoors allows for a unique and enriching learning experience. I find great joy in using my background to tutor with Connections. I love working one-on-one with students to foster growth in a more personalized environment.

Professional Development:

✦ K-8 Singapore Math, Math in Focus 

✦ Engage NY- CKLA Phonics

✦ Engage NY- CKLA Math

✦ Lucy Calkins

With decades of experience as a classroom teacher as a well as a one-to-one tutor, I am thrilled to be working with Connections, providing personalized support to students in a calm and nurturing atmosphere. Having taught at The Center for Early Education in West Hollywood, CA, working with students from Kindergarten through 6th grade, I understand what is expected of students in today's world. I hold a teaching credential in California and B.A. in Sociology from UC Berkley. 

Professional Development:

TCRWP, Columbia University, New York: Teachers College Reading and Writing Project

✦ The Two Sisters, Los Angeles: The Daily 5, ELA classroom management

✦ CATDC, Los Angeles: Comprehension and Critical Thinking Through Conversation, The Power of Mindful Self-Regulation, CATDC Women + Leadership Conference

✦ Greg Tang Math: Ten Best Practices for Teaching and Learning Math

✦ CEEA - Using Math Centers to Strengthen Your Math Program

✦ Making Sense of Numbers and Shapes, Reasoning and Relationships

✦ K-8 Singapore Math, Math in Focus 

✦ BER, Los Angeles: Using Guided Reading to Help Students Become Better Readers, 

✦ Teaching Comprehension: Seven Strategies Proficient Readers Use, Guided Writing: Interactive and Independent Writing

✦ Write Traits, Los Angeles: Exploring the essential elements of writing inherent in all extended written communication

✦ Responsive Classroom, Chicago

Approach to Engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness

✦ CATDC, Los Angeles

Comprehension and Critical Thinking Through Conversation, The Power of Mindful Self-Regulation

✦ Learning and The Brain Conferences:

Teaching Self Aware Minds, Neuroscience and Classroom Engagement, Multiple Intelligence Strategies that Speed Leaning

Over the last 15 years, I've honed my skills as an educator in a myriad of classroom environments--from private, to public; large to small. I have worked with students as young as 3 years old, up through adulthood. My foundational experience is steeped in the Early Childhood sector, following which I obtained a Master's degree in Education, along with an Elementary Teaching Credential. Over the course of my career, I've served as a Math Lead throughout grade levels (working with programs like Singapore Math, Cognitively Guided Instruction, Greg Tang, Eureka Math, Continental Math League, and more), specializing in differentiated instruction and targeted assessment strategies. In addition to my Math acumen, I have a personal passion for writing and take pride in my ability to turn the opaque nature of a written task into a challenge far more approachable and measurable for students of all sorts. My approach to working with students is collaborative--communicating with parents and, if possible, classroom teachers to establish clear goals and consistent follow through, in order to best support the individual needs of each student. I nurture a warm environment in which students are encouraged to take risks and celebrate mistakes so that they are best able to grow and thrive in the long run!

Professional Deveopment:

✦ Responsive Classroom certified Approach to engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness.

✦ Scottish Storyline certified 

✦ Math in Focus trained 

✦ Readers/Writers Workshop trained 

✦ Writing Revolution certified 

✦ Fly Five certified 

✦ Reggio Emilia trained 

✦ SEED Training certified

Teaching at independent schools like Derryfield School and Hampstead Academy, has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to work with motivated students and dedicated colleagues. My background as a reading specialist, combined with my master's degree from Notre Dame College, has equipped me with the tools and knowledge to provide high-quality instruction and support to my students. I have enjoyed the opportunity to foster a love of learning and literacy in my students, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of young learners.

Professional Development:

✦Reading Specialist Certification

✦Academic Support Coordinator

✦Fountas & Pinnell

✦DI Train the Trainer, Manchester: Trained to facilitate Differentiated Instruction based educational workshops.

✦Responsive Classroom 

✦Everyday Math

✦Handwriting Without Tears

✦Writing Workshop: The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project 

Career Highlights:

-15 years as an educator

-10 years focused on working with multilingual students

-Teacher of the Year- Comprehensive Grammar School 2023

-Teacher of the Year- Methuen Rotary Club 2023

-Selected as a Teacher Leader in the ELE department 2022

-Methuen Public Schools Teacher Spotlight December 2020

ELE Teacher Leader 2022-2023 Offered mentorship, PD and curriculum guidance to elementary ELE staff. Facilitated ACCESS testing for grades K-4.

ELE Council Member- Spring 2019 Participated in policy and curriculum shaping for ELE department

PBS:  Team member of the Positive Behavior Support team at the Wetherbee School from 2009-2015, co leader of the elementary school PBS team from August 2015-June 2017

Teacher Leadership Team: Member of the TLT in 2013, 2014 and 2016 at the Wetherbee School. Involved in school based decision making.

ESL Cohort : Part of an ESL curriculum piloting and curriculum writing team through DESE for the 2016-2017 school year

Teacher of the Year- Comprehensive Grammar School 2023-2024

Teacher of the Year- Methuen Rotary Club 2023-2024

MPS Educator Spotlight December 2020

Sontag Prize in Urban Education 2015

Reflecting on my 20 years as an educator, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to work in both traditional and non-traditional educational settings. Teaching at The Center for Early Education in West Hollywood provided me with a strong foundation in pedagogy and a deep appreciation for the importance education. Transitioning to a master homeschool teacher role with Blue Ridge Academy has allowed me to further develop my skills in curriculum design and virtual instruction. I have found great satisfaction in creating engaging learning experiences for my students and helping them reach their full potential. Looking back on my journey as an educator, I am proud of the impact I have made in the lives of my students and look forward to continuing to inspire and empower future generations.

Professional Development:

✦ K-8 Singapore Math, Math in Focus 

✦ Engage NY- CKLA Phonics

✦ Engage NY- CKLA Math

✦ Lucy Calkins