



Customized, child-centered tutoring for the homeschool community.
Where children learn with joy!
Celebrating Five Years in Business!
About Me
Encouragement is to humans like water is to plants. It nourishes our souls.
- Rudolf Dreikurs
VISION & BIRTH OF ENCOURAGE:
My vision for Encourage Elementary Education Services is to bring high-quality academic support to families. I sought education alternatives as a young person and as an adult, searching for a better choice for my children. I started with Ocean Grove as a parent in 2008 and later became an ES in 2010. Ocean Grove was a clear place to start when I decided to tutor homeschoolers. Most of my clients are connected with the school, but I also have some private clients who homeschool independently.
My encouraging, positive approach is very effective with children from diverse backgrounds with differing needs. I believe in tailoring instruction to the individual as much as possible to produce the best results. Parents are also a vital part of the decision-making. If we find that our philosophies fit, we can work together to find methods and curriculum that your child responds to - and even looks forward to - every time I visit! I will get to know you, your child, and your goals.
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS
I have classroom experience on San Jose's east side, teaching 5th grade with diverse students and achieving results by teaching conflict management and treating children with dignity and respect.
I work closely with students and parents to help them achieve their individual academic goals.
My background includes varied learning methodologies, progressive education, learning differences, and parent education. Many of my children's schools had parents in the classroom, and I am very comfortable with this collaboration.
CREDENTIALS HELD CURRENTLY:
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Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
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Supplementary Authorization: Music
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Crosscultural Language and Academic Development Certificate
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Level 1 Certified Handwriting Specialist with Handwriting Without Tears
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Encourage Elementary Education Services (2017 - present)
San Jose Unified School District
Substitute Teacher, elementary
2016-2017
Ocean Grove Charter School, San Jose
Education Specialist, all grades
2010-2015
LEAD Center/Liber Community School, Los Gatos
Math & Music Teacher (all grades)/Core History & English Classroom Teacher (4th-6th)
2008-2009
Foothill Intermediate School, Mt. Pleasant School District, San Jose
Classroom Teacher: Fifth Grade
1994 - 1999
EDUCATION:
San Jose State University 1993
Teacher Education Program
California Institute of the Arts 1990
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Composition
OTHER CONFERENCES, TRAINING, & AWARDS:
Three Keys to Overcome Inattention, Anxiety, and Sensory Disorders: Retained Primitive Reflexes (2022)
How to Teach Every Reader: 4 Steps to Bring the Science of Reading into the classroom (2022)
EdInnovate Showcase (2022)
Advocator of the Month, Lives in the Balance Advocator Group (2022)
The Stanford Neurodiversity Project: Special Interest Group for Neurodiversity (2018-2021)
The Stanford Neurodiversity Summit: 2020, 2021
Emotional Healing From Trauma: Trauma-Informed Care (for developmental disabilities, 2018)
Global Leadership Summit (2004, 2009, 2017, 2021)
Handwriting Without Tears (2017)
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Handwriting Assessment Workshop
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K-5 Handwriting Workshop
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Pre-K Readiness and Writing Workshop
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Pre-K Math and Literacy Workshop (2018)
Autism and Asperger's Conference (2013)
UC Extension EdTherapy Courses (2009):
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Understanding Learning Differences
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Autism Intervention and Treatment
Oak Grove School District: Maximum Use of Resources Vision Award (2007)

Cinquain poem and art by 3rd-grade student. Completed on her own after the lesson.





