Courtney

I am a certified teacher with over six years of experience teaching and tutoring students of all ages in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies! I hold a bachelor's degree from Western Connecticut State University and previously taught second grade for four years. I now provide both in-person and remote tutoring, specializing in reading and writing from Pre-K to College, mathematics Pre-K to 12th grade, and elementary and middle school science and social studies!

Tutoring Style

I believe students must feel comfortable, confident, and motivated in order to learn successfully! My tutoring style is personal to each student, as I adapt lessons to fit their individual needs and learning pace. I value patience and encouragement, creating a supportive environment where mistakes are part of the learning process. I also strive to make learning both engaging and understandable so that students can enjoy the process while building lasting skills.

Success Story

Math:

I had a student who would shut down the moment math would be mentioned. She often said, "I'm not just a math person." Instead of diving right into numbers, I took the time to understand her strengths and struggles. I learned she loved games and realistic examples, so I introduced math in that way, and slowly, she began to see math as something useful and fun! By the end of the year, she was on benchmark and proudly calling herself a mathematician!

Science:

A student once came to me wondering about how the food chain worked. They seemed intent only on getting the answer right, rather than the understanding. To counter this, instead of just giving definitions, we explored drawings, questions, and examples using their favorite animals. What started as confusion and "homework" turned into excitement. They began making their own food chains with all their favorite animals, and even began exploring more with their own "what if" questions. By the end, it seemed like they weren't just learning science, but they actually discovered a real passion and enjoyment for how nature connects!

ELA:

One of my favorite tutoring success stories was working with both a mother in college and her child in elementary school. The mother was overwhelmed with an essay due that day, so I helped break down her thoughts, simplify the process, and show her that she was capable of more challenging writing. By the end, she not only finished the essay, but gained confidence to approach future assignments, also reducing her stress. At the same time, I supported her daughter, who had been struggling with reading, by creating patient, engaging lessons that helped her also grow in skill and confidence. Watching them both succeed, motivate each other, and even enjoy the process reminded me of the impact tutoring has on all ages!

Social Studies:

I once tutored a student who thought social studies was just "memorizing names and dates", and claimed his bad memory and boredom kept him from obtaining the material. I wanted to find a way for this student to relate to the concepts, so I turned it into a storytelling adventure - using maps, role play, and a "time traveler" journal to bring the history to life. His mom proudly stated that her son would share what he learned weekly from his journal. Not only was he more engaged, but he also wanted to begin sharing that with others!

Hobbies & Interests

When I'm not tutoring, I love staying active by playing sports, like soccer and pickleball, going to the gym, and doing Pilates! I also enjoy being outdoors, whether it's biking, hiking, roller skating, or snowboarding! In quiet moments, I love exploring creativity through journaling, reading, and painting.