Basic Math

Genelle B

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Genelle B

I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school. My fourth grade teacher changed my life, and I was on a mission to do the same for other students as soon as I was able to. I graduated with an Elementary Education degree from the University of Arizona, with an endorsement in English Language Learners. I am currently in my seventh year of teaching elementary school, and I am absolutely in love with my career. My first home and my heart will always be in San Francisco, which is where I grew up. I have learned to call Arizona home after living here for the last nine years. Throughout my seven years of teaching experience, I can confidently say that I have shaped many young minds and helped other students find their love for learning. I am excited to teach more students through Focus Tutors and watch their little genius light bulbs go off!

Kiki T

Kiki T

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 I thought I was destined to be a writer. It was my passion throughout my entire childhood and young adult life. I wanted to write for major magazines and travel the world interviewing the biggest names in entertainment. I spent the majority of my college years doing just that- editing my college magazine and majoring in Communication with a focus in media.

 I spent the years following college, working at a technology company where I trained (and retrained) clients on how to effectively use my company's software. Simultaneously, I was teaching Greek at my local church. It was the combination of these two jobs that prompted me to pursue a career in education. I loved helping people and loved making a difference in the lives of my students.

 A move to Northern Virginia opened the door to education. It was there that I had the opportunity to teach at a bilingual preschool while pursuing my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction concentrating in teaching English Learners. My graduate program led me to finding a teaching position at the largest middle school in Virginia. For three years, I worked with students who had recently arrived to the country and struggled to learn English. 

 While my experience is primarily with middle school students, I have spent many years tutoring and working with younger learners. Specifically, with students in dual-language elementary programs. I am so grateful for the opportunity to join the Focus family and work with students from grades K-8. I am passionate about helping students who are learning a new language (French, Spanish, Greek), helping primary grade students in all subject areas, supporting reading and writing, and helping with general homework help and organizational skills.

 

 

 

Paige W

Paige W

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I teach to empower.  Studying International Development at Tulane University, I learned that education is the cornerstone of all progress—healthcare, civil rights, environmentalism, and the like advance hand-in-hand with knowledgeability of the populace.  For that reason, I decided to go into education.  Well, that and the fact that kids are hilarious; high impact plus good company makes for an easy career choice!  In addition to International Development, I studied Spanish and Psychology at Tulane.  Upon earning my Bachelor of the Arts degree in 2012, I moved right out to Arizona.  Two years later, I graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Education degree.  Since that time, I’ve enjoyed teaching special education in the valley with students in grades K-8.  I’m thrilled to be part of the Focus Tutors team, and I look forward to sharing my passion and expertise in: organization and time management, study strategies, ADD/ADHD coaching, executive functioning support, test-taking skills, Spanish, and elementary & middle school mathematics, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar.

 

 

 
 

Sara P

Sara P

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For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a teacher  (it even said so in my 2nd grade yearbook!). At the same time I had a creative itch to work in the advertising industry. So I had to try both!  I earned my Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and Spanish from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. I worked as project manager at a healthcare advertising agency for a short time. Everyday there was a part of me that felt unfulfilled. I knew that void would change when I became a teacher. In the fall of 2013, I began my career as an educator at Alphonsus Academy in Chicago, IL.  It was there I fell in love with teaching primary grades. During my time at Alphonsus I tutored students in grades K-4, and led after school enrichment programs. While working, I also pursued my Masters of Education degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University graduating with distinction in 2015. Changing careers is without a doubt the best decision I’ve ever made.

When an opportunity fell into my lap to call Arizona “home”, I had to take it! I teach 2nd grade at a local Title 1 school. I focus on building meaningful relationships, differentiating instruction, and providing my students with choices when demonstrating understanding or mastery of a concept. A lifelong learner myself, I have attended a variety of professional development opportunities to enrich my teaching experience and practices. I am certified in Orton Gillingham (a reading intervention program), Handwriting Without Tears, On Cloud Nine (a math program focused on visualization and building number sense), Positive Discipline, and Responsive Classroom. I am eager to share my love for learning and myriad of experiences with more students through Focus Tutors.

 

Nelofar S

Nelofar S

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I did not grow up knowing I was going to be a teacher, though it has always been the core of my personality. Since becoming a teacher I have come to understand that teaching is a responsibility as much as it is a joy. Education transformed the lives of my parents and subsequently, the lives of my siblings and me. A good education is the most viable pathway to a good life, one where an individual cannot only support themselves and those they love, but one where an individual can seek answers to those questions that bring happiness and fulfillment. For this reason and many more, I have pursued an education that satisfies my interests and curiosities. After completing Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy (with a minor in Biology) at The University of Arizona, I moved to Phoenix and began working as a science and math teacher for Great Heart Academies. Teaching mathematics became my passion and ambition and the following year I began teaching mathematics full-time. Since then I have worked hard to hone my craft through my work in the classroom, tutoring one-on-one and by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Arizona State University. My goal is to bring a passion for mathematics to every student I encounter. I aim to encourage their love of mathematics if it is already there and more importantly, to convince and inspire a student that they are capable of achieving what they think they cannot. I offer tutoring services to middle and high school students in mathematics and science, as well as test preparation.

Susie J

SUSIE J

I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University in 1986. For the next 32 years I taught first grade in the Paradise Valley Unified School Teacher. I taught a wide variety of learning styles including gifted, learning disabled, autistic and children with attention issues. I thoroughly enjoyed my career in early education and still have a passion for teaching. Besides tutoring, I also supervise student teachers for Grand Canyon University and do some intervention work with struggling students in the Scottsdale Unified School District. I have recently become involved in a wonderful organization called Bee Kind where I help write curriculum for their nationwide programs.  

I am happily married with one son who recently got married. In my free time I enjoy hiking, attending group exercise classes at the gym, playing pickleball, reading, going out to eat and traveling.