Hello, I am a retired NYC special needs teacher who would like to continue my work with students. Whether teaching, tutoring, or coaching. It has always been my practice to guide students to reach their full potential by employing them as collaborators in their own growth. They must take some form of responsibility for their own progress so that it may extend throughout their life. Goal-setting is one way to do this—a way that allows them to view their evolution and become their own advocates. Useful and practical strategies emerge from these individual goals. The “village” model of elevating learning communities is a passion of mine. For students, the village may include parents, teachers, tutors, social workers, and therapists. Through this support system, I can best accommodate and support the unique needs of clients. My teaching background is in special education and N-6, and I hold certification in both those areas. I have a strong working knowledge of diverse student needs, ESL strategies, content specific support and remediation, skills that involve executive functioning, brain-based research, and other “best” practices. For many years I served my school communities as a teacher trainer, mentor, lead teacher, and graduate instructor. This has given me the opportunity to tweak the above-mentioned competencies with adults as well as students. As you may see in my resume, I have solid experience with instruction for both classroom and tutoring sessions, curriculum development, collaboration with colleagues, sharing feedback, school leadership, designing and implementing professional development, organizing programs, oral and written communication, and the ability to work in both an adaptive and independent way.