Kerlynn
Certified Tutor
Perhaps the best word to describe my love for teaching and learning is PASSIONATE! Since I was seven years old, I knew I would become a teacher. After earning my Associates Degree at Broward College and then obtaining my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at (FIU) Florida International University, I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship from FIU to earn my Master's Degree in Urban Education. It was only a matter of time before I aimed in pursuit of the highest degree one can earn, hence receiving my Doctoral Degree in Advanced Classroom Instruction Professional Studies from Capella University.
With exposure to all Elementary School subjects, I have taught a little of everything from 1st grade to 2nd grade to 3rd grade to 4th grade. I even worked as an Educational Specialist for my school district at the time in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It wasn't until I started teaching at the High School level that I realized my true calling: Reading/Language Arts/ Grammar/Writing. The joy on my students' faces when they listened to themselves reading orally on tape and then compared that recording to the one that I had previously recorded of them at the beginning of the school year is to date my favorite experience as an educator.
At present, I left the classroom and now tutor full-time. I tutor all elementary subjects (Grades K-5), as well as grades K through 12th in Reading/Language Arts/ Grammar/Writing.
My favorite thing to do outside of tutoring is to write. I am proud to say that I have five children's books written and published.
I believe in working hard, always trying, doing your best, challenging yourself, and making the best of every situation, and I apply those beliefs in how I teach/tutor. It is my job to teach you. It is your job to let me teach you so you can learn. Let's do this together.
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Undergraduate Degree: Florida International University - Bachelors, Elementary Education
Graduate Degree: Capella University - PHD, Advanced Classroom Instruction
Reading, Writing Children's Books, Going to the Movies, Volunteering, Mentoring Youth
- College English
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School English
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- ESL/ELL
- High School English
- Homework Support
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- Math
- Other
- Phonics
- Reading
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
As an educator, my goal is to positively impact the lives.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would begin with a fun activity or an icebreaker, like finding descriptive words that start with each letter of my name, and then I would have my student do the same.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By teaching them how to take notes, how to study, and how to ask themselves the right questions.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
With interesting lessons that are engaging.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
First, I would have to specifically identify the source of the difficulty. Then I would have to break the concept into smaller parts. Lastly, I would teach the concept by using an alternate strategy.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
By facilitating guided reading by asking questions before reading, during reading, as well as after reading.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
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Making them feel comfortable. 2. Pointing out their strengths. 3. Allowing them to tell me their weaknesses.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Usually with a video on that subject or with an activity that promotes immediate success, so that the student starts out succeeding from the very start.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
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Oral/written comprehension checks 2. Having the student teach the material back to me 3. Written assessments.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By always highlighting when the student has a positive outcome.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
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Through observation 2. Through conversation/dialogue 3. Through pre-testing.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
By identifying how the student learns (auditory, visual, tactile, kinesthetic) and then teaching the student based upon his/her need(s).