Roots for Success

The free online "Meet and Greet" session is conducted via Zoom. The purpose of the session is for us to meet each other, ask questions, and see if we are a good fit. I can learn more about your child's needs and you can learn more about how my online tutoring process works. I'll even demonstrate some of the tools I use for online tutoring. There is no pressure to sign up for tutoring sessions beyond the "Meet & Greet," but if you decide to, we'll talk about next steps.

Prior to this session, please sign up for a free Zoom account if you do not already have one (https://zoom.us/signup).

If we decide to move forward after the "Meet and Greet" session, I will provide you with access to my scheduling calendar so that you can select days and times that work best for you. I ask that you sign up for four or more sessions at a time. Continuity in sessions enables me to develop a relationship with your child and craft sessions that are specifically tailored to their needs. Once you have scheduled the sessions you can pay for them using PayPal or Stripe. Payment must be received before sessions.

All tutoring sessions are conducted using Zoom. Once you have scheduled your sessions, you will receive Zoom link via email. On the day and time of your scheduled session, simply click on that link and we will be connected. Each tutoring session is customized to meet your child’s needs. Prior to the session I develop a series of activities for your child that will actively engage them in mathematics appropriate for their grade level. I’m a big fan of using virtual math manipulatives to help students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Additionally, I frequently use math games and/or children’s literature to help students develop confidence and skill in a fun and engaging way. If you would like for me to go over a specific homework assignment with your child, I ask that you send it to me the night before the session. A pdf or screen shot of the lesson works best but you can also just snap a picture of the lesson with your phone and text it to me.

You will need a device (computer, tablet, or phone) and a good internet connection. In addition to Zoom, we will be using a shared online white board. Most students find it easiest to use the combination of Zoom and the online white board when they have a laptop with a mouse and/or stylus.

I will provide all of the materials your child needs for tutoring sessions. As an experienced instructional designer and curriculum developer, I pull from 30 years worth of curriculum materials I have developed or acquired to prepare a lesson that is tailored to your child’s needs. Additionally, I spend time every week curating and vetting new online content.

I have tutored students in math, on and off, for more than 30 years and I genuinely love working with children. I have a Ph.D in Curriculum & Instruction (North Carolina State University), a Master's degree in Education (Harvard University); and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics (Sweet Briar College). I have taught online classes for NCSU, developed and researched MOOC-Eds (Massive Open Education Courses for Educators), created and led online learning communities, developed online math curricula and interactive online math tools for elementary students, and developed online and face-to-face professional development courses for elementary math teachers. All of this work has been done through projects for the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, Education Development Center, Harvard University, Boston Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, North Carolina Public Schools, and more.

As a former middle school math teacher, I saw students coming to middle school with a lack of confidence in mathematics, sometimes gaps in their knowledge, and often a lot of math anxiety. I became interested the mathematical foundations that students were gaining in elementary school and wanted to support the development of that foundation.