About Keri

Let me tell you a little about myself and what I would like to offer as a tutor. For as long as I can remember I have been intrigued by the process of learning, and because I am blessed with four very unique learners, I got my start as a tutor with my own children. Watching them struggle lit a fire inside me to seek out methods and learning systems that would allow them to reach their potential, rather than be defined by their learning challenges. This would lead to my now 20+ years of experience and formal education in the vast world of behavioral science surrounding education and learning. Over time, I sought to develop a way to blend the advantages of anytime learning made possible by technology and the hands-on learning experiences essential for authentic learning. Over the course of years, I taught technology on and off for more than 15 years; and attended workshops and seminars on cutting edge technologies, patterns of development, and on cognitive models with authentic learning methods. This has given me an understanding of key factors related to increasing student achievement without sacrificing a child's innate desire to learn. Because of this background, I have become talented in using what is commonly referred to as a "blended learning approach" and "gamification". And I have used this approach successfully to help over 340 students succeed. Most of my work has been with the goal to support students in the core academics (reading, writing, math, social studies and science) and not with the promotion of the latest and greatest new gizmo. Although, I have been known to teach an eager group of 3rd graders how to program using Scratch. With that said, I believe technology can best be harnessed in day- to-day learning and used to provide students with a means of practicing skills until mastery is achieved. I do not believe technology should or can take the place of hands-on learning or diminish the role of a teacher. As such, one of my culminating projects was to help implement the P21 framework in a local area school. Currently, I am working on a masters in Educational Data Science and in doing so, I have been required to learn not only the major components of the Common Core Framework, but to thoroughly understand the standards and benchmarks students are expected to achieve and why it is so important for their future to have these skills. As, part of this process, I have spent the last few years reading and research papers; attending workshops, seminars, and courses on the Common Core Framework and the new science and history standards soon to be added. This brings me to today and why I am looking to be a tutor. As part of my masters thesis, I am seeking to tutor students in specific core academics. It is my hope that in doing this I will be able to polish my approach and I will gain a better understanding of some of the challenges students face during this transitional time, as well as, the best ways in which a tutor or coach can assist in unlocking each child's own unique potential.