Elementary Math

Michele V

Michele V

In my 30 years of teaching experience, I have worked in public, charter, and private school settings both on campus and with homebound students and individual families. While I have spent most of my time at the high school level helping students understand math or improve their reading levels, I have also assisted middle school and upper elementary students complete homework and learn organizational skills. I received my Bachelors from Northern Arizona University, a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education. I am currently enrolled in the School Counseling Masters program at University of Phoenix. It is rewarding to see a student build confidence through understanding. With the Focus Tutors team, I support students in general homework, math, organization, and study skills.

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Summer B

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Summer B

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My mission as an educator is to be an agent for fostering the growth of compassionate, conscious and empowered scholars who are grounded with a sense of purpose about their presence in the world. This stems from my core belief that these traits are essential to effectively participate in a society built on democratic ideals and values. I believe these traits are supported and substantiated by the fundamental and parallel skills of listening and reading, speaking and writing, as well as understanding through the creative process of learning. Through the content of Language Arts it is my goal that my scholars expand their intellectual capacity through rigorous and invigorating practice of reading and writing the world through the word.

I began my educational career in New Mexico where I obtained experience as an educator in a variety of settings and in all content areas from Pre-K-High School. I have achieved a Masters of Education from Eastern New Mexico University, with focus in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading and Literacy and Educational Pedagogy. Additionally I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a double focus in Language Arts, Special Education as well as an additional endorsement in Secondary Education and English and Composition.

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Debbie E

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Debbie E

Having spent my entire "growing up" years in Pennsylvania, I ventured out to South Carolina for college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a computer science minor from Bob Jones University in 1986. For some time after that, every few years brought a new adventure. Life has taken me to the suburbs of Detroit, MI, twice to Houston, TX, the Chicago area, and twice to Rochester, MN where I now reside. My first full-time position was in the financial field with an insurance company. Next, I took on several roles at Texas Children's Hospital, coming in as a programmer, then migrating to manage the Accounts Payable department and its new system installation. My next move found me testing software for the company whose system I had just helped install in TX. Most of that work was done as a telecommuter even before it was fashionable to work remotely. It wasn't until my most recent move back to MN that I became involved in education as a substitute teacher at a private classical school. Ten years later, I returned full circle to my math roots when I accepted my current position at Rochester Century High School. Now I get to spend my days immersed in tutoring high school students in our Math Resource Center. I derive immense satisfaction in seeing the lightbulb go on when a student finally grasps a concept, when they tell me about a good test grade, or when they inform me that I "saved" them in math class. To this I always point out that THEY are the ones who did the hard work; I just had the privilege of being their guide.

My post-secondary educational journey began at Iowa State University where I earned a B.S. in Accounting in 2017. Upon completion of undergraduate work, I worked in the public accounting field where I gained valuable experience both in business and character. Deciding that I wanted to pursue my passion of helping others succeed, what better way to do so than to become a teacher? I then made the jump to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching with an endorsement in Secondary Education Mathematics from Liberty University. There is no more rewarding feeling to me than seeing the lightbulbs of both math and character illuminate in a student’s mind.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends on a nice patio, reading mystery novels, and going on walks with my Husky mix.

I believe that finding success in academics isn’t a standalone process; education is about rounding ourselves out to be the best we can be in all facets of life.  I look forward to working with such diverse students and can’t wait to help each student grow. I offer support for students from elementary math through calculus.

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.