As a non-traditional student with much determination, I graduated with a Master of Arts degree in the field of Elementary Education and Special Education. My course of study was challenging, but I graduated with a GPA of 3.8 in June of 2000. Now that I have retired after 14 years of teaching, I miss those "aha!" moments when children experience success even if they believe they cannot. As someone who has taught students with special needs of all kinds and various degrees of disability, I feel I have experienced many ways to teach a concept. whether it is in math or any other subject. I have a Maine teacher certification for grades K-8 in the regular education setting and K-12 in the special education setting. I am a firm believer that if students feel accepted where they are and have a positive experience with our learning sessions, they will flourish ultimately because of their own efforts. Every child is an individual, and all students do not learn the same way or at the same pace. BUT...All students can learn.

I taught for years at an area elementary school. I have also taught as a long-term substitute at a grade school. My first year in Maine, I taught at another elementary school. My experience as well as my instincts have shown me that a relationship with a student is of the utmost importance. When work is rigorous, some students struggle to complete work because of overwhelming frustration. Now that most texts are aligned with the Common Core Standards, parents also struggle to understand what the teacher is looking for and experience confusion over how to help their student. Together, we can sort that out.