What brought me to develop a tutoring business? It was, first, my love for the creative thinking required to help a student learn what they need to know next and the satisfaction I get when a student recognizes their own learning and takes charge of their own growth. And second, the confidence and value a friend expressed in me two sessions after I agreed to tutor her first grader, and the subsequent word-of-mouth manner in which a business grew into existence. I am forever indebted to this friend’s belief in me and to my own natural love for responsive teaching. Because of forces both inner and outer, I am able to offer my skills for the benefit of others in a manner that truly brings me joy.
Traditional Qualifications
- Academic background:
- Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction (Supervision; Anthropology, Arabic)
- M.A. International Affairs (African Studies; Education, Anthropology, History)
- B.S. Education (K-12; Learning, Intellectual, Emotional Disabilities)
- Professional teaching experience: reading, writing, math tutoring children/youth, ESOL tutoring adults, undergraduate/graduate teacher candidates, undergraduate developmental writing, teacher of K-12 students with learning, intellectual, and emotional disabilities
- Early roots: My teaching is still cheerfully informed by four years of experience in high school as a summer camp counselor for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. And I would be remiss if I did not publicly recognize and express appreciation to my very first student, my three-year-old brother who played school and completed chalkboard problems and worksheets at seven-year-old me’s creation and direction.
At school and in life, you always were a good student.
(For additional information, please see https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighann-oettinger/.)
Wings Like a Dove LLC 