ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH TUTORS

Christopher is an accomplished educator with a Bachelor’s degree, with honors, in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Special Education and Literacy from The State University of New York at Albany. Certified as a Literacy Specialist, Special Education Teacher, and General Education Teacher in New York State, Christopher has dedicated twelve years to teaching students in grades K-5 within New York City Public Schools. His roles have included Schoolwide Literacy Specialist, Special Education and Movement Teacher, and extensive experience in tutoring students of all ages.

In the realm of Special Education, Christopher excels in developing specialized instruction, conducting professional development seminars for fellow educators, and employing an individualized approach to learning. He embraces asset-based, social-emotional, and growth-mindset methodologies that recognize and amplify each student’s strengths and interests. Christopher fosters purposeful goal-setting, emphasizing tools and resources to achieve them, while instilling patience, self-regulation, confidence-building, and essential executive functioning skills.

Kristen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Florida in 2017, followed by a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2018. She currently serves as an Assistant Principal at a charter school in the Bronx, overseeing the Special Education department.

Before moving into administration, Kristen worked as a reading and math specialist and a classroom teacher. During her time as a teacher, 100% of her students passed the ELA and Math State Exams. She is particularly skilled in promoting reading growth through the Wilson Reading Program and has experience with the Russian School of Mathematics Program.

Eliana holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from American University and a Master of Arts in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is certified to teach grades 1-6 and has received specialized training in Fundations, Orton-Gillingham, and Reading Workshop methodologies. Eliana teaches second-grade general studies at a private school, focusing on reading, writing, math, and social studies. She also tutors elementary-aged students in reading and writing and works with students from Pre-K to 6th grade.

Eliana believes in a pedagogical philosophy emphasizing exploration, guided practice, and hands-on learning to nurture critical thinking and inquiry-based skills. She tailors her lessons to each student’s needs, conducting thorough assessments to identify their strengths and areas for growth. Employing a multi-sensory approach rooted in the Orton-Gillingham method, Eliana uses auditory, visual, and kinesthetic strategies to help students become more proficient readers. Her method is supported by research in the science of reading

Perry is a highly qualified, multi-certified teacher specializing in Special and General Education, grades 1-6. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree in General Education and Special Education, grades 1-6, with a concentration in behavioral disorders from Hunter College. Additionally, Perry is attending Bank Street to extend her certification in Early Childhood Education (birth grade 2). Perry has worked with students from kindergarten through fourth grade, both as a head teacher and a tutor. She has extensive experience with the following populations: ASD, speech-language delays, ADD, EF disorders, ADHD, behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities.

Perry is passionate about providing children with the most individualized instruction and support needed to give them confidence both in the classroom and in their personal lives. She is friendly and enthusiastic and works hard to develop trust with her students and their families. Perry tracks data to show progress and then customizes the supplementary work to meet goals as determined by the school and families.

Dolly is a dedicated literacy and special education specialist with over 5 years of experience teaching students from early childhood through 12th grade. Holding a master’s degree in Special Education (birth-12th grade) and certification in Orton-Gillingham (OG), Dolly has a proven track record of helping students excel in reading and writing through the use of multisensory instruction. She has extensive experience tutoring students individually and in small groups, focusing on building foundational literacy skills such as phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, reading fluency, comprehension, and writing.

Dolly works in general education and inclusive classroom settings, supporting students with their learning both inside and outside the classroom. She is familiar with and uses a variety of reading programs to address each student’s unique needs. Dolly employs a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction, utilizing the Orton-Gillingham method to deliver personalized, multisensory lessons targeting decoding/encoding, fluency, and reading comprehension.

Megan is a certified Special Education teacher specializing in grades K-5. She holds a Master’s in Special Education from Saint Joseph’s University. She has a decade of experience working with students in private and public schools and abroad.

Throughout her career, Megan has had a passion for literacy. She completed her initial teacher training at The Windward Institute and taught third and fourth grade at an independent school for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Since then, Megan has served as a reading interventionist and Special Education Teacher Support Services provider and taught in ICT classrooms in public elementary schools in the Hudson Valley and New York City. Megan is trained in the PAF Reading Program and has extensive experience utilizing similar reading programs such as Wilson Fundations, UFLI Foundations, and Orton-Gillingham-based methods. She is also trained in the Writing Revolution/Hochman Method.

Darielle is an accomplished elementary school Principal within the charter network in NYC, holding NYS certification for grades 1-6 in both General and Special Education. Her academic background includes a B.S. in Childhood Education from SUNY Oneonta and a Masters in General and Special Education (grades 1-6) from Touro College. Darielle is deeply passionate about working with children and providing them with comprehensive support.

Throughout her career, Darielle has taught various grades, including 1st, 2nd, 7th, 9th, and 10th grade, demonstrating her versatility. Her teaching experience spans grades K-7 and 9-12, and she has also tutored elementary students in grades K-6. Darielle has a wealth of experience working with students who have diverse needs, including those with ADHD, autism, and speech and language impairments.

Elizabeth is an accomplished educator with a strong foundation in both Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6). She holds a bachelor’s degree from Marist College and a master’s degree from Touro University, with memberships in both the International Honor Society in Education and Psychology. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has played pivotal roles, starting as a Special Education teacher in various New York City schools. She has excelled in mentoring new teachers, taking on leadership roles such as grade-level team leader, and conducting professional development training sessions for teachers and families. Currently serving as an Assistant Principal at the elementary level, Elizabeth is dedicated to cultivating students’ love for learning while fostering their self-confidence to achieve individualized goals.

As a literacy and math instructor, Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience in mentoring and tutoring children with diverse backgrounds and needs. Her instructional expertise encompasses phonics, phonological awareness, decoding, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and elementary math. Elizabeth is well-versed in implementing multisensory programs such as Wilson Fundations, Success For All (SFA), and Guided Reading Leveled Literacy, all designed to promote reading, writing, and oral language development.

Emily graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Elementary Education. She continued her education at Teachers College, Columbia University, earning a Master’s in Elementary Inclusive Education (Grades 1-6). With seven years of teaching experience in various educational settings, Emily has worked closely with English Language Learners, students with ADD and ADHD, and those in need of support with executive functioning skills. Emily incorporates Teachers College’s Reading and Writing Curriculum into her teaching, focusing on modeling and inquiry-based instruction. She prioritizes establishing positive student-teacher relationships, tailoring instruction to students’ strengths and interests.

Emily’s background includes five years of teaching third grade, providing her with a solid understanding of New York State standards in upper and lower elementary levels. She is proficient in using programs like Go-Math, NY Engage, Envisions, and Everyday Math. Emily’s patient, calm, warm, and enthusiastic demeanor aims to build students’ confidence, encourage risk-taking, and nurture their curiosity and love for learning.

Clint is a highly qualified Childhood Education and Students With Disabilities teacher, boasting nearly a decade of invaluable experience in the education sector. He holds a B.S. from Siena College and a Master’s in General and Special Education (grades 1-6) from Touro College, demonstrating his commitment to both foundational and inclusive teaching practices.

Firmly believing in the transformative power of empathy, patience, and meaningful relationships, Clint has served in various roles, including ICT teacher, general education homeroom teacher, and TESOL teacher. His diverse experience extends to working with students facing specific challenges, such as reading, writing, and math learning disabilities, speech and language delays, ADD, ADHD, and general learning disabilities.

Understanding the unique needs of each student, Clint emphasizes personalized education plans tailored to individual differences. His expertise shines in assisting students struggling with decoding/encoding, fluency, reading, and reading comprehension. Clint adeptly supports phonemic awareness, letter/sound identification, blending sounds, guided reading, reading comprehension skills, and writing.

Ashley R. is a childhood educator with six years of experience in the public sector. She holds an M.S.Ed. from Brooklyn College, Magna Cum Laude, and continues her education by attending seminars on supporting students with disabilities and trauma-informed teaching.

Ashley is a dedicated educator passionate about helping students develop strong literacy skills. She has spent six years teaching and working closely with students of all ages to foster a love of reading and writing. Specializing in literacy tutoring, Ashley focuses on personalized instruction, creating tailored strategies to meet the unique needs of each student.  She curates lessons to help students reach various goals, such as strengthening comprehension, fluency, vocabulary and word recognition, critical thinking and analysis, and reflective writing. She also conducts lessons for state test preparation.

Johanna graduated from CUNY Queens College with a Bachelors Degree in Childhood Education (1-6) and Masters of Science in Special Education (1-6). She is currently in school for School Leadership at SUNY Stony Brook University. Johanna has over 5 years of teaching experience and has taught third-grade general education and is currently teaching in a second-grade ICT classroom (integrated co-teaching). Being in an ICT classroom has provided her with experiences involving students who have intellectual, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. Throughout her teaching experience, she has worked on scaffolding and differentiation to help her students academically succeed.

Johanna believes getting to know your students is the best way to help academically succeed. By knowing this, she is always willing to try and learn and implement new evidence-based strategies. She provides toolkits for each of her students to refer to when they experience a challenge. She has seen the impact of the pandemic of students having difficulties to collaborate and build conversations with one another, which led to her having lessons that provide students with the opportunities to ask questions and build conversations.

Taneeka earned her master’s degree in School Leadership & Administration from Touro College. With an impressive 23-year teaching career within the New York City Department of Education, she has taught grades Kindergarten through 8th grade, specializing in phonics, English Language Arts, and mathematics. Taneeka serves as both a lead teacher and classroom teacher, leveraging extensive training in phonics and mathematics. As a lead teacher, she employs data-driven strategies, implements best practices, and scrutinizes student data to enhance teacher and student growth.

In her additional role, Taneeka fosters collaborative work among teachers, developing monthly unit plans in phonics, reading, writing, and mathematics. She ensures alignment with The Next Generation Standards, showcasing her commitment to maintaining a high-quality curriculum. Taneeka excels in working with struggling students, using engaging methods to elevate learning outcomes. Witnessing students reach their goals is what fulfills her the most.

Alyssa graduated from Dowling College with a Bachelor of English and graduated from Touro College with a Duel Masters of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education for Early Childhood PK- 5th grade. Alyssa has almost 10 years-experience in teaching, influencing and enriching students with different needs. She has a strong understanding of the needs of students with learning and physical disabilities. She works with mixed-ability K-5 students to make math fun, interactive, and personalized. Alyssa incorporates a multisensory method to help engage and effectively teach her students. Her expertise includes homework, school curriculum, and test preparation for Math state tests. Alyssa has worked with students to give them a variety of skills and strategies to help improve their mathematic abilities.

Anyelis graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She then joined The Center of Autism and Related Disorder, where she conducted Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy to children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also coached therapists and families on how to conduct ABA and created individualized programs for scholars, while obtaining her Dual Masters in Science of Education in General and Special Education for grades 1-6. Anyelis taught Kindergarten for over 5 years with experience in Pre-K, and then became the first Multilingual Learner Specialist in her school.

Betsy is an Advanced Learning ELA teacher in the Greenwich Public School District for Gifted and Talented students. Prior to this, she taught grades 2-3 in a private school in the Upper West Side for 9 years. She received her Master’s Degree in General Education from Hunter College for first through sixth grade. Betsy has a passion for teaching math and reading for those who are above grade level and need a challenge and students who need more support with foundational skills.

Betsy teaches through an inquiry-based curriculum and loves to see her students take ownership of their math and literacy learning. She uses a variety of strategies through personalized instruction to meet the needs of her students. She believes in a game-based, hands-on, multi-sensory approach to mastering mathematical concepts, especially the use of manipulatives. One of her areas of expertise is helping students achieve a greater number sense, building strategies to solve math word problems, and understanding math’s concepts (connecting abstract to concrete). She is also deeply familiar with the Common Core State Standards for math.

Brittany H. is a New York dual licensed Childhood General and Special Education Teacher who has worked with children in various capacities for over 15 years. She received her Masters in Childhood General and Special Education from New York University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in psychology. Brittany currently works as the curriculum coordinator at a prestigious independent school in New York City. Through her 10 years at this school, she has had experience as a classroom teacher, a mentor, a small groups instructor, a one-on-one teacher, and now holds an administrative role overseeing curriculum and student development for preschool-grade 5. Prior to this school, Brittany was in an ICT classroom in Brooklyn. She has worked summers at preschools and other academic settings, as well as tutored students of all ages and needs throughout Long Island and NYC. Brittany has experience supporting students with sensory processing needs, ADHD, learning disabilities, and fine motor delays, but also has extensive experience working with students without learning differences.  Brittany is trained in Orton Gillingham, Wilson Fundations Program, Words Their Way, Singapore Math, Handwriting Without Tears, Teachers College Writing and Word Study, Leveled Literacy Instruction (Fountas and Pinnell), and the IB curriculum (International Baccalaureate).

Dan is a dual certified special education teacher with over 17 years experience. He currently works as a SETSS Teacher at a public school in New York City. Dan believes relationship building is the cornerstone of a successful teaching practice and strives to quickly engage his students by exuding expertise and passion within his practice. In his 17 years as an educator, Dan has worked as a resource teacher, inclusive special education teacher, as well as a self contained special education teacher. Dan has experience working with a wide variety of students including those with specific reading, writing and math learning disabilities, speech and language delays, ADD, ADHD, as well as issues with Executive Functioning. Through his experience as an educator, he has been able to find his own innovative, progressive approach, which allows him to tailor units, lessons and concepts to the individual learning needs and interests of his students.

Danielle graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Cortland and Master’s Degree from Long Island University obtaining her certifications in Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6), Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grades 6), and Health Education (Grades K-12). She tutors students ranging from Pre-K through 6th Grade with different ability levels. As a 2nd grade, Special Education ICT Teacher in a Long Island public school, Danielle helps strengthen individualized needs in reading, spelling, writing, math, test preparation, and IEP goals. She provides hands-on experiences by utilizing manipulatives and encourages an interactive way for students to learn. She builds upon phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and phonics to enhance every aspect of reading.

She has experience working with students of various needs such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and others. She also works with students who require enrichment and extra challenges. Danielle has used programs such as Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop model, Fountas and Pinnell, Wilson Fundations, Journeys, Go Math, Math in Focus, and more!

Derek has eleven years of Elementary Teaching, Special Education Administration, and tutoring experience. He is currently a CPSE Administrator and previously taught 4 th and 5 th Grade in Brooklyn. He has been tutoring with Brooklyn Letters over the past three years. Derek has a wealth of experience working with curriculum writers in the area of math, specifically focusing on differentiating math concepts for struggling students. He has presented a multitude of math workshops primarily in the areas of math fluency, integrating math manipulatives and technology, word problem skills, and strategies for Special Education students. In this role, he supported teachers in the building with planning and differentiating lessons and finding ways to build on students’ math conceptual and word problem skills to be successful.

Gabrielle is an experienced special education teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. She has taught kindergarten – 5th grade in general education, integrated co-teaching, and self contained settings. She has a Master’s in General Education (1-6) and Special Education certification (1-6) from Hunter College: School of Education. She is in school for her School Building Leader and District Leader Certification through the CITE program at The College of St.Rose.

Gabrielle is an elementary school teacher (K-5) with experience tutoring students (one-on-one and in small groups) and mentoring novice teachers. She provides a nurturing and caring learning experience that allows students to engage in productive struggles and become critical thinkers. She teaches students with diverse backgrounds and abilities (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Speech and Language Impairment) and has a strong rapport with students and families. She believes all students can and will learn and thrive in society when provided with excellent instruction, tools, and resources based on their needs. She gives students skills that can be transferable to different areas of their everyday lives.

Giana Marie Schenone is from Carle Place, NY and entering her third year as a 2nd grade Special Education Teacher in the New York City Department of Education. She is certified in Childhood Education and Special Education (1-6). Giana Marie has many years of experience tutoring students with multiple disabilities including autism, learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, and ADHD. Prior to teaching, she worked in a life-skills and vocational program. Giana Marie implements a multi-sensory approach to instruction by providing the students with multiple entry points to learning. This includes assessing children, determining the students strengths and areas of needs and tailoring instruction accordingly. She has experience with integrating Orton Gillingham strategies utilizing programs such as Reading A-Z, Fundations, Wilson, and Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI). Giana Marie assesses her students with a variety of tools including Teacher’s College running records, LLI, and Fundations assessments.

Jenna is a certified educator with over ten years of experience working with students in Grades 1-6. She holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelors’s Degree in Psychology. She also has her Students with Disabilities certification in New York. Jenna has training and experience working with students with Autism, behavior management, and teaching students with learning differences. Her experience helps her understand the best ways to address students’ specific needs.

Jenna has experience in Manhattan providing one-to-one instruction and small group instruction, as well as SEIT work in various schools. She has worked with children with a diverse range of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, speech/language delays, and other learning differences. She focuses on creating a personalized and supportive relationship with each student while targeting their specific needs and goals. She identifies what motivates each child and uses reinforcers and breaks throughout her sessions to maintain engagement and focus.

Jill is an expert literacy specialist and math instructor with 19 years of experience educating students from various backgrounds with diverse educational needs in kindergarten through 12th grade.  She is sought after by parents and educational institutions for her expertise and is certified in Bilingual Elementary Education (EC-4), English Language Arts and Reading (4-8), Special Education (EC-12), and Principal (EC-12).  Jill is also certified and equipped to assist dyslexic students in improving their reading, writing, and spelling skills through engaging instruction that utilizes multisensory teaching techniques.

Jill creates a nurturing learning environment and tailors her instruction to meet the individual needs of each student.  She believes in a student-centered approach to learning and incorporates various teaching strategies and resources into each lesson, such as hands-on interactive activities, manipulatives, multimodal digital texts, and mind mapping, to ensure that each child acquires the skills necessary to succeed academically and socioemotionally.  Parents find their children love her instructional style and ease of making learning engaging and fun!

David spent four years teaching math in California public schools to full classrooms of students, as well as small groups of students needing additional support. David specialized in working with students who had ADHD, dyscalculia, and other learning disabilities. In 2020, he transitioned to teaching individual students remotely.

David has always loved math, and strives to share that joy with his students by making math fun through games and real life applications. He teaches his students to understand why math works the way it does, in addition to helping them to develop automaticity.

Jurga brings over a decade of experience as an early childhood special education teacher, specializing in various roles such as SEIT, Early Intervention teacher, reading specialist, and special education teacher. Trained in Orton-Gillingham and well-versed in curricula like Wilson Fundations, Eureka Math, Go Math, and Teachers College’s reading and writing, Jurga tailors her approach to meet the needs of students with speech and language disabilities, autism, ADHD, dyscalculia, and other learning challenges.

With a keen understanding of diverse learning needs, Jurga employs a range of approaches, using literacy or math games to make learning enjoyable. Her expertise lies in selecting activities that match each student’s functional level, progressing from basic to more complex skills. Jurga’s commitment to making learning fun and meaningful underscores her dedication to supporting students in their educational journey.

Kara, a Certified Elementary, Special Education Teacher and Dyslexia Practitioner has been working in the public school setting for the past 6 years. She graduated with her Masters of Science in Education with a speciality in learning and behavior disorders from CUNY Hunter College.

Kara is certified in the Wilson Reading Program that specifically works to target language-based learning disabilities like dyslexia. She is also trained in several other multisensory reading and writing programs. Kara is currently a special education teacher in Westchester County working with students that have learning disabilities, executive functioning difficulties, ADHD, and autism. Kara also helps students with test prep for local and state exams.

Kimberly is a New York State-certified teacher with over ten years of experience in special education. Currently, she teaches a self-contained class in preschool special education, utilizing her expertise in a kinesthetic, multi-sensory, hands-on approach to maximize her students’ learning abilities. Kimberly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from St. Joseph’s College and holds general education and special education certifications from birth to sixth grade. Additionally, she earned her Master of Literacy degree through Touro College.

Specializing in supporting students with diverse needs, Kimberly also assists individuals with ADHD and executive function coaching needs. She has worked extensively with children who have Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), 504 plans, and those with undiagnosed differentiated learning abilities. Kimberly actively participates in CPSE and CSE committee meetings, evaluating and assessing her students’ abilities to ensure all needs are met effectively. She strongly believes in incorporating various learning styles for all students, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Kirsten is an enthusiastic educator with four years of lead teaching experience. Kirsten obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Nazarene College and went on to receive her Master’s degree from Touro University in Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6). She is certified in New York State in both General and Special Education for grades 1-6. Prior to moving to New York City, Kirsten served as a 1st-grade student teacher, day camp director, and 2nd-grade teaching intern combating summer learning loss in low-income, high-need communities. Most recently Kirsten taught 4th grade for four years in an integrated co-teaching classroom for a high-performing charter school network in New York City. Kirsten consistently worked with classes containing up to 30% of students requiring Individualized Education Plans. She served as a grade level leader for a team of 5 fourth-grade teachers, providing coaching to other adults and spearheading the curriculum planning across the grade. Beginning in the fall of 2022 Kirsten will teach 3rd-grade literacy and math at a private school on the Upper East Side.

Lynsey is an accomplished educator, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education (1-6) from SUNY Cortland and a Masters of Science Degree in Literacy (Birth-6) from SUNY Oneonta. With over 5 years of teaching experience, she has taught first-grade general education and currently excels in a fourth-grade inclusion classroom, where she collaboratively instructs both general and special education students. This diverse teaching environment has exposed her to a broad spectrum of intellectual, emotional, and behavioral disabilities, honing her ability to differentiate and scaffold lessons effectively.

Having taught summer school for the NYC DOE over the last 3 years, focusing on second, third, and sixth grades with an emphasis on literacy and math, Lynsey brings a wealth of experience to her role. Additionally, she has taught a STEM after-school program for 3 years, guiding students in utilizing digital tools and devices for enrichment projects.

Natalie Lombardo is a New York State Licensed Literacy Specialist (ages birth-grade 12) and Elementary Education Teacher. She holds a Bachelors of Science Degree and Masters in Literacy from St. John s University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She has training from Columbia Teachers College Program as well as Orton-Gillingham.

Natalie has worked with students for over 16 years and has a passion for working with students struggling to read. She has provided instruction using the Orton-Gillingham Approach, Wilson Fundations Program, Learning Without Tears, Fountas & Pinnell, Journey s Literacy Program, Go Math and Everyday Math. She is a part of her school’s instructional team and is involved in curriculum planning and writing.

Patti is a veteran elementary school teacher and tutor with 30 years experience as a collaborative and inclusion lead teacher in grades 3-5. She has a BA from Penn State and an MS from Long Island University in Elementary Education.

Patti utilizes digital and tactile strategies to remediate and challenge students from various backgrounds, with and without IEPs, in order to help students reach their full potential. She continues to receive professional development in the areas of math, reading, SEL and ENL. She has utilized Engage NY, GoMath, and currently IntoMath in her 5th grade classroom. She has been trained through Columbia Reading and Writing Project and Fountas & Pinnell.

Her comfortable rapport with her students allows them to feel safe asking for help and clarification while instilling clear goals. Her tutoring strategies focus on gearing lessons towards the students interests and abilities.She incorporates games and activities to make learning more fun. She feels it is best for the student to be an active learner and uses a mistake as a springboard for future success.

Rachel is a New York State licensed teacher, with a dual certification in early childhood and childhood education. She earned her Masters of Education in Literacy at SUNY Oneonta and holds a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Cortland.
Rachel is a tenured teacher and has been teaching for the Department of Education for five years. Rachel currently teaches in an ICT first-grade classroom and has previously taught kindergarten as well. She has worked with diverse groups of students, working to meet the needs of English language learners, students diagnosed with learning disabilities, and general education students. Rachel is responsible for creating and implementing individualized instruction across academic domains to meet the specific needs of students with a variety of learning and physical disabilities. She uses multisensory-based teaching methods to teach phonics, reading, writing, and math to her first graders. Rachel believes in an explicit approach to teaching students to read using tools such as decodable texts, play-doh, sound boxes, and magnet chips.