Mary E. Taylor
Positive Tutoring
Experience
Currently I am a retired and licensed teacher with seventeen years teaching experience as a Special Education teacher for Portland Public Schools. Through that experience I developed strong skills in helping students overcome their learning challenges and achieve success. Through diagnostic testing, one-to-one, and small group instruction I tailored learning plans to achieve success with each student. I have been privately tutoring clients since 2022.
Education
I received my degree from the University of Oregon’s Department of Special Education. My focus is to provide explicit and empirically based instruction, evaluate and analyze students who have a broad range of learning challenges, and create targeted instruction to overcome their challenges.
I am certified by the State of Oregon as a Highly Qualified Teacher. My areas of expertise at the elementary level include: phonemic based reading, phonological awareness, comprehension, writing, math, social skills and positive behavior supports. I am Direct Instruction- and Orton Gillingham-trained.
A Positive Approach
My approach is a positive and patient one that builds a student's self-esteem and confidence, and lowers their anxiety. When I’m positive and supportive it opens a student’s mind to learning; for example, a student should hear at least six positive feedback statements for a single corrective feedback statement. Learning new skills can be fun, so I use games, manipulatives, repeated response, wipe-boards, and worksheets to create an experience for the student that is rewarding and also moves them forward academically.
What I will Provide
- A 45-minute meeting with parents and student to get acquainted.
- An evaluation and report on the student’s current level of functioning in reading, writing and math skills. This is a one and a half hour time commitment.
- A post-evaluation to show learning and skill achievements.
- An individulalized learning plan for the weeks of instruction.
- Comprehensive learning materials that target gaps in skills.
- Manipulative based instruction to foster experiential learning of skills.
- At times, game based instruction to increase fun and learn new skills.
- A weekly email update on your student’s progress