Leona-Marie

Certified Tutor

I have been in education for over twenty years and am passionate about helping students find that "light bulb" moment, that exact moment when a someone learns something new or a concept makes sense. It is a rare moment of joy for any student regardless of their age or disability. It is also a joy to watch students over time as they change and grow while acknowledging their effort and hard work. After graduating from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education, I started my professional career in a toddler room at a NAEYC accredited child development center and then taught kindergarten for six years. During this time, I completed the Master Degree in Early Child Education from the University of Phoenix. An opportunity presented to work in a self-contained developmental kindergarten program while working on completing an Alternate Licensure Program and Master Degree in Special Education. I also taught in a Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities ages 3-6 years of age during this time. After completing program, I began working for the Department of Defense schools as a kindergarten teacher again for 3 additional years and for the past six years I have been working as a Special Education Assessor or Educational Diagnostician to assess students to determine if they are eligible for special education services from ages three years through high school.

During the pandemic and remote learning, I was available to students online who needed extra help as I was unable to conduct my typical assessor duties virtually. I discovered I really enjoyed working with students virtually and even though I have resumed my regular duties now that we are in person I would like to continue using virtual sessions to work with students. I am current taking graduate credits in the areas of English Second Language Learners and Reading Recovery as part of my certification renewal. During remote learning I helped elementary students with all subjects but my favorite subject to tutor is learning to read. Reading is my favorite subject because it is the foundation for all learning and I enjoy a good book. I have also learned a lot about math although I am not as familiar with the new math concepts or ways of solving concepts above a third-grade level. Always open to learn new ways of solving math and often I learn just as much from students as they do from me, I enjoy the challenge of learning new things.