Ms. Devalin

Certified Tutor

My Approach:
I tutor in reading, writing, and English. I concentrate on reading comprehension, grammar, phonics, vocabulary, context, proper sentence or paragraph structure, spelling, creative writing, answering worksheet/test questions, and understanding/following instructions.

Reading comprehension includes: figurative language, personification, character analysis, identifying details, drawing a conclusion, linking cause and effect, and how to put events in order. My tutoring style for reading with elementary grade level students is the systemic phonics method, which works on letter-sound relationships and word recognition.

We take 1-2-minute breaks, at the appropriate times, in order to practice breathing exercises, stretches, get a snack, or get something to drink. With elementary grade level students, some breaks are spent doing a robot dance, or to show me new art projects that they've done.

I like to remember that regulating our breathing is conducive for better focusing skills. It also enhances the student's competency in reading comprehension because it ultimately relieves stress, and creates a space for them to become more receptive to learning more difficult subject matter.

In each session, I properly evaluate a student's specific needs in reading, and their reading level. It is important to identify how the student uses problem solving skills, grasps difficult concepts, and whether they remain calm when they're feeling stressed while learning a new topic. Reading comprehension strategies that I like to work with are using "background knowledge," "summarizing," and "visualizing." When I review my evaluations, and use them to create the next Lesson Plan, I like to keep in mind that the ultimate goal is to find the best way to help a student
advance to such an extent that they can independently learn.

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Attention to Mental Health:
There is a specific type of meditation practice referred to as "Mindfulness." Mindfulness is about focusing on the present moment, regulating breathing, and being self-aware without passing judgement. There is an epidemic of depression right now among adults, teenagers, and children in the U.S. and practicing mindfulness is a way of reducing stress. This ultimately reduces the risk of having severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that a student of mine may be facing.

Practicing mindfulness helps people of all ages regulate their emotions. Emotional stressors can negatively alter how a student learns, and navigates academic work. I find it important to care about the mental health, and well-being, of those I tutor because this effectively improves their learning capabilities and educational progress.

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Valuable Characteristic Traits That I Possess:
I am innovative, articulate, enthusiastic, thoughtful, reliable, adaptable, confident, and a fast learner.

My top weakness: When I give into perfectionism and become obsessive about details and design. This occurs when I do certain tasks like data entry or file organization, or when I paint ballet dancers or fictional characters like Boba Fett.


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General Volunteer Work That I Have Done:
I am also a Professional Volunteer for a nonprofit organization where I assist Veterans, and their spouses, seeking employment by conducting mock interviews in Tech related fields. I have nearly 14 years' worth of volunteer experience; working with the homeless, impoverished families, women in times of distress, Veterans, and the mentally handicapped. My purpose in life is to help other people, and I find great purpose, and fulfillment, in being able to help a student.

Reading and Tutoring Related Volunteer Work That I Have Done:
I began volunteering when I was in 3rd grade by reading to a developmentally disabled child, named Bryce, every Thursday from 2001 to 2004, in Bowling Green, Ohio. Also, during my Junior and Senior year of High School, in 2009 and 2010, I tutored impoverished adults on how to write essays in order for them to acquire their GED. I did this through the Servant Leadership Program of Toledo, Ohio.

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Educational Goals:
Currently, I am attaining a Political Science Degree (BA). I also want to receive a certification from completing a course on how to teach children who have dyslexia by using various methods like the Orton-Gillingham method.