Teaching Philosophy

“You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.”  Aristophanes

My firm belief is that each student can learn, but that each student is “hard-wired” to learn in a unique way.  The way in which a student learns best results from a variety of neurodevelopmental factors.  These can be combined in a student in endless ways – some effectively, some not as effectively.  In addition, a student’s social skills and emotional inclinations are factors.  Finally, the family, school and other outside elements have an impact on how a student learns.  For these reasons, it becomes my responsibility to determine the way(s) a student learns most efficiently.

“If kids do not learn the way you teach, teach the way they learn.”  Dr. Roger Taylor

My experiences in striving to meet the varied needs of a wide range of students have led me to realize that I must constantly adjust the way I teach each student.  There is no single approach which guarantees that a student will learn.  I must pay attention to pacing; learning style preferences (e.g. auditory, visual and kinesthetic); school demands; parent expectations; and, of course, student learning goals, attitudes and self-confidence.   My goal is to foster the student’s strengths while working around weaknesses and intervening in them in a way, and to an extent, that doesn’t discourage the student.  This, to me, is the art of teaching.  This is what makes teaching as exciting for me today as it was nearly 40 years ago!

“Demystification is helping kids understand themselves, to understand clearly the reasons for any academic problems they are experiencing.”  Dr. Mel Levine

When I work with a student, I make a strong effort to help the student feel safe and comfortable – physically and emotionally.  Positive, yet honest, feedback and humor are tremendously helpful in allowing a student to feel secure. Once that happens, a student can feel free to take risks in learning and to acknowledge that new learning often results from making mistakes.  It is also within a “safe” environment that a student can understand her/his own learning strengths and weaknesses.  By discussing and reflecting on their unique tools for learning, many students feel a sense of relief and pride. It is generally exciting and often reassuring to students to contemplate how they can use their self-understanding to help themselves become stronger, more confident learners.                                                                                                                                                 

Bio

With over forty years of education experience, Lucy is a guru of elementary education. Recently relocated to Seattle after an eight-year tenure as the Head of Lower School at Cape Cod Academy, Lucy brings extensive wisdom to her work at University Tutoring. After obtaining her A.B. in Psychology from Clark University, Lucy went on to complete an M.S. Ed. in Learning Disabilities from USC, an M.A. in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University and an Ed.S. in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Central Missouri University.  Her career has included teaching in both elementary and special education classrooms, coordination of a gifted and talented program, administrative roles in both public and independent schools as well as teacher training at several universities.  Through these varied experiences and workshops with Dr. Mel Levine, Lucy has come to realize the importance of helping students “demystify” their own learning style. At University Tutoring, Lucy utilizes the one-to-one setting to foster students’ awareness of their strengths, support academic goals and create individual plans for success. Lucy is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Association for Gifted Children and the International Reading Association, to name a few. A photography enthusiast and juried member of the Cape Cod Art Association, Lucy enjoys combining her keen interest in photography with her volunteer work as a Zoo Ambassador at the Woodland Park Zoo.

Subjects: Elementary Ed, Study Skills, Test Prep (ISEE) (K-8)

Lucy is also the Director of Elementary Education at University Tutoring.

Resumé

Coming soon!