Writing

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Candi C

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Candi C

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I was born and raised in Chicago, which I will always call home. I received my BA in Elementary Education with a minor in linguistics, along with a specialty endorsement in early childhood. I moved to Arizona in 1996 after I was married. I have two kids: a daughter who recently graduated from the University of Arizona, and a son who will be starting the U of A this fall. I began working with kids at the age of 15, as a camp counselor, then moved up to being an assistant teacher at day cares, and before and after school programs. Once in Arizona, I worked as a kindergarten teacher, a traveling PE coach, lead and assistant teacher in day cares, and most recently as a reading specialist tutor, helping kids that are dyslexic.

In my free time, I like to spend time with our two busy kids (whenever they're around) and our two English Cream Golden Retrievers. I'm also a drummer, and love to play whenever I can.

I love to get to know all the kids and families I have the privilege to work with on a personal level, so I can best help them to their abilities in school, and in their homework. I serve Focus families in the areas of reading, writing and spelling, as well as kindergarten readiness. I am also a dyslexia specialist.

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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.

Alix B

Alix B

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What I have to offer students of all ages are the fruits of a lifetime spent cultivating conversations among writers, thinkers, creative artists, and researchers on significant matters that affect our daily lives. As a constant seeker of knowledge myself, I endeavor to be the most supportive facilitator and guide possible for students in their academic searches for important questions that generate writing, reading, and critical thinking fluency. I am passionate, not only about the possibilities of creating personal meaning through the artful and persuasive use of language, but about the fact that spending extensive time and effort to acquire the power to use language critically enables students to be fully enfranchised members of their communities and cultures. 

This teaching philosophy developed out of my own intellectual journey through an Honors B.A. in Sociology/Women's Studies/Political Economy at Manhattanville College; the M.F.A. in Writing/Teaching of Writing at Sarah Lawrence College; and a year of PhD studies in the Sociology of Education and Medicine. I began my career in education teaching first graders how to read, and have taught on the elementary through graduate school levels for the past 35 years. My professional background includes dual former careers as a Social Worker and Librarian, and I have worked with American, British, and diverse international students in the U.S. and the U.K.  My teaching and tutoring subjects include: composition, creative writing, reading, literature and poetry, sociology, political economy and economics, women's & gender studies, academic success skills, Common App prep, PSAT/SAT/ACT test prep, library and research literacy, French, and a variety of humanities courses. 

I am the author of On the Verge, a chapbook of poems (Plinth Books, 1997), and my full-length poetry manuscript is under publication consideration. My awards include a Pushcart Prize nomination, a CT Commission on the Arts Artist Fellowship in Poetry, and a Commendation in the U.K.'s Poets of the Year Competition. While resident on the East Coast, I served as Writing/Humanities Division Chair at The Learning Annex/CT, an adult education institute formerly in Hartford, CT, and worked as an adjunct professor of composition and creative writing at colleges and universities in CT, MA, and NY.  In addition to tutoring for Focus Tutors AZ, I serve as an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing & Composition at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, work privately as an editor of creative and scholarly manuscripts, and continue to write and edit an alternative textbook for college-level writing entitled The Question Tree.

 
 

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.

 

 

 
 
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Danica K

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Danica K

Growing up in Phoenix, school was a place where learning, imagination and the world all collided. I became a teacher because I wanted children to love learning just as I did. However, it took me a while to come to that conclusion. I love people, believe there is always hope and I think life should be enjoyed! I come from a family of educators and am a third-generation teacher. Growing up I often helped tutor and loved teaching others (whether that was academics, dance, the correct way to type, etc.). I came into college with extra credits, so I had the freedom to explore many degree programs. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a Sociology major and minors in Family Studies and Human Development, along with an Education minor. After working in a school in South Central Los Angeles, providing targeted interventions to lessen the achievement gap, I returned to Phoenix and worked in foster care, church work and eventually jumped back into the classroom and taught 6th grade, Elementary Resource and ended in High School Special Education. I am passionate about all students enjoying learning and reaching their goals. I went on to get my Master’s in Special Education because of my deep conviction to be able to reach all learners. I currently serve as the Children’s Director at a local church and love being able to serve families and provide optimal learning experiences each week. I am looking forward to sharing my love of learning and my deep conviction that all students are capable of great things. At Focus Tutors, I work with students in the following areas: organization and time management, reading/math intervention, executive functioning, test preparation, reading and writing support, as well as general homework support.

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.