"I am Michael. I hold an M.Ed. degree in Middle Grades 4-8 with Reading Endorsement. My areas of certification include Reading and Early Childhood grades K-5. My classroom and tutoring experience of more than 20 years is primarily with grades 1-5.

Reading is foundational to all academic subjects whether reading for information or pleasure. Focus skills in grades 1-2 are foundational skills necessary for learning to read. These foundational skills transfer to reading to learn in grade 3 and beyond.

Parents and colleagues describe me as professional, patient, honest, and punctual. My methods of instruction are personal as a genuine rapport is established with parents and students. These methods are also flexible and built toward student success.

My mathematical aptitude and ability to present multiple methods as required to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. "I do", "We do", "You Do" is very effective to model, practice, and assess for understanding.

My ability to guide students through sight words, blends, consonants, vowels, and digraphs. "I do", "We do", "You Do" is very effective to model, practice, and assess for understanding.

I often asked my students why they enjoyed my classroom and me as their teacher. Invariably the response was "because you are funny". Students already stressed over academics and life experiences appreciated my ability to help them relax through humor. That's still true today!" less...