Masters in Special Education with 10+ Years of Experience in Teaching Students with ID, ADHD, Autism, Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Learning Disabilities.

Learn more about Nezza

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  When I was in high school, I already knew I wanted to become a teacher for children with special needs. They may be some of the most challenging students to work with, as teachers must be well-trained to provide individualized support, but they also bring the most fulfilling experiences. With these children, no progress is too small; every achievement is celebrated.
  
  I used to be a resource room teacher. However, life happens, and given my current circumstances, I chose to take a break from classroom teaching. Still, my passion for teaching has never faded. I immediately sought out another avenue where I could continue practicing the profession I love without compromising my personal schedule and commitments. SuperProf has worked perfectly with my situation, giving me the opportunity to keep doing what I'm passionate about.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  While I was in the classroom, I taught Math, ELA, and Writing as part of support and intervention programs. I also assisted my students in completing their activities and homework from their general education classes. Through the online platform, I now offer Math, Reading, and Writing instruction for special education students, particularly those with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, and hearing impairments. Additionally, I am certified to teach all subject areas for Kindergarten to 3rd Grade students, supported by my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  All teachers who go above and beyond their workload and put their students' learning first inspire me to continuously grow in my craft.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor must take time to get to know their student and build a relationship as they learn together.
  A good tutor must use the student's strengths and interests when planning lessons and target the student's weaknesses.
  A good tutor must know the baseline performance of the student and collect data for progress monitoring.
  A good tutor must provide a progress monitoring report every quarter or nine weeks to the parent.
  A good tutor must be open to constructive feedback from both the student and the parent.
  Lastly, a good tutor must respect the student's time and act professionally.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I once had a student on the platform who has autism and is nonverbal. Although he is an adult, he still lives with his parents. His parents, particularly his father, sought help in supporting his education. At first, it was challenging because the student was nonverbal and I was not physically present to teach him. However, his father and I remained committed. After two weeks of meeting twice a week, we began to see progress. He was able to sort numbers 1-5 with minimal support and arrange them in the correct sequence. His father reported that he was able to transfer this skill to daily living by sorting materials for their family business. He also appeared to be more attentive. The one-on-one sessions helped him stay more focused on tasks and added a positive routine to his week.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  It is difficult to manage behavior when teaching online. Supportive parents or caregivers are the key to successful online tutoring with children who have behavior concerns.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Teaching is my passion but outside teaching I have other hobbies. In the summer, I love going outdoors and camping. I run, hike and travel. I am also learning how to play tennis at the moment.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering this interview questions :-P)?

  I am a SuperProf because I genuinely care for my students. Their success is my success, and their sorrows are my sorrows. Beyond academics, I aim to teach them resilience and, whenever possible, help them become critical thinkers.