.png)
Meet Meredith
In this photo Meredith, a former student, is learning to type. Meredith is 8-years-old, loves libraries, and books, so learning to type quickly turned into something bigger. After a few conversations about kids who are authors, she started talking about writing a book of her own and I knew we had an opening for an interest-driven learning project.
This is where my training as an education specialist comes in handy. I don’t approach tutoring as “sit down and do what I say.” That’s not effective. What we know from the science of learning is that kids learn best when they feel safe, engaged, and able to make meaning for themselves, not when they’re simply complying.
Meredith's mom and dad wanted something more than just homework help for their curious and talented little girl who was also struggling with language arts and behind grade level in all areas: writing, spelling, reading fluency.
Before I begin tutoring my students, I get to know them first. I interview parents and learn what they've tried, review what the school has tried, and find out what support is realistic for them to work on at home. The last thing I want is for a child to feel like their whole life is homework and focused on nothing but school. In otherwords, while I like for students to work on things at home I'm not about to add more work to a busy parents schedule. I try to develop a program of natural learning that can flow with daily life. I like to make learning feel like fun by finding things that are so fun children don't even realize they're learning. I also use diagnostic assessments and questionnaires to understand skills gaps and learning preferences including a learning style inventory and a multiple intelligences lens (picture-smart, music-smart, movement-smart, and more). I use assessments to measure progress. [To Read More Click...]
See desktop view for a full website experience
.png){kind=small}
All fees are calculated using a sliding scale that takes into account family size, income, and any other factors that impact a financial stability, such as healthcare costs. I also offer group rates for very low cost to groups.
.png)
Megan A.
New Palestine, IN
Child 1: Teen
Elaine has done a great job working with my pre teen. She's been a life saver keeping her on track and filling in where the teachers leave off.
Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.
John Dewy
Services
You won’t find trendy buzzwords here.
You’ll find tools that work. Some of those tools use modern approaches and others return to the past: typing, foreign language, reading music, and cursive writing.
Some are unconventional to some people, but they are often a return to basics many schools have moved away from. I use cursive handwriting, hands-on learning, and typing to support fluency. I use rhythm and music, including drumming and tapping, to strengthen memory. I use cooking to apply STEM, sequencing, and real-life math. I build lessons around student interests and connect learning to everyday life.
Reading Intervention
Math Support
Webdesign
Coding
Art
Cursive Handwriting
.jpg)
Typing
Graphic Design
Book Authorship
Meet Meredith
(Continued from above)
Some students warm up quickly, and some need time. I honor that. We might start by coloring, chatting, or letting them ask me questions, because trust comes before progress.
With Meredith, once I understood her strengths and what was getting in her way, we built a plan around her interests. We started simple with notebooks and routines, like writing her name in cursive at the top of each page to build a habit that sticks. Then we used graphic organizers on paper and online. After that, she wrote in a Word document, getting repeated practice with sentence structure, parts of speech, and narrative storytelling without it feeling like a worksheet marathon. I use a lot of guided questioning so students learn to think and choose, not just comply. “What would happen if we didn’t turn in homework? Do we really have to?” “Would reading quietly in the library feel good, or does that sound miserable?” “What if you wrote your own book?” That kind of questioning helps kids take ownership.
We did not stop there. I mean, why not go further?
With guidance, Meredith designed finished pages in Canva using a clean, simple layout. In the process, we realized she had a natural gift for graphic design. Over one school year, Meredith raised her I-READ score from 13/40 in the fall of that school year (about 33%) to 37/40 (about 93%) that next spring.
Meredith finished the year with stronger spelling and broader literacy skills, plus a working understanding of the full book-writing process from start to finish, and a beginner foundation in graphic design and some coding.*
You can view one version of Meredith’s book by clicking the image below. Students can choose to publish through Kindle Direct Publishing or share their work with family through a Canva presentation.
*Results vary by student and depend on attendance, starting skill level, the specific assessment used, and support at home and school. I work with students across many skill levels and adapt to age, needs, and grade level.
.png)
Meredith's story, image, and book used with permission.
Research from randomized studies shows high-dosage, structured tutoring produces bigger and more reliable academic gains than occasional, brief support. My goal isn’t to keep your child in tutoring forever by walking them through homework or giving them more of what they are already getting. My job is to add "more" to what they aren't getting. To get them on track by teaching them how to teach themselves to learn: how to use their books and student portals, how to stay organized, find the right information, apply strategies, and build the confidence to work independently.
All fees are calculated using a sliding scale that takes into account family size, income, and any other factors that impact a financial stability, such as healthcare costs. I also offer group rates for very low cost to groups.