1. Who do you teach?

Everyone, and we can get started with anything (see question 6 and exceptions on 12).

2. Are you vaccinated? Do you wear a mask?

I keep current on all of my vaccines. That means a Covid booster every 6 months and a flu shot annually (I know, so vaccine retro). I am happy to wear a mask indoors or out, of any protection level. I will also make decisions based on whether or not you have a young child or one who attends school.

3. Do you do virtual lessons?

Absolutely!

4. What are your credentials?

I am a certified teacher in PreK-12th grade education with an active Oregon Teaching License (renewal in 2025). I have a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in education, graduate certification in special education, post-bacc undergraduate and graduate training in computer programming and psychology. I am happy to show you documentation of all of these things in-person.

5. If you can teach anything, can I see your curriculum?

See question above this one. I absolutely do not claim to know everything and I do not have a curriculum for everything. As a matter of fact, I make a point of not providing a curriculum. Why? (This is a two-part question then? Right on!) Because I am trying to teach you how to do something you want to learn and you know you need help with/getting started on, which means you bring the material. I am here to support you, a self-guided learner, not tell you what you should be learning.

6. It sounds like you're just a know-it-all. It's not a question, just sayin'.

Saying that I can teach you anything does sound like a brazen claim, doesn't it? I absolutely do not know everything--there are just too many amazing, wonderful, and incredibly mind-boggling things in our universe to even think about saying such a thing. It's ridiculous to even think about, really. 

What I do know is how to teach something. I know the steps and scaffolding patterns needed for humans to learn and how to help students overcome the frustration they inevitably encounter in their pursuit of skill. Even though I don't know everything, I do have some special subject knowledge (which I specify those in the tabs under "about learning"), and when I don't have the specific skills I am asked to teach, I can teach you how to learn it. Just ask and I will tell you which category your subject falls into!

7. Are you bringing the supplies?

You will need to supply any of the materials and/or directions needed. Exceptions may be regarding children and suppletory item to help demonstrate another way to think about the materials they already have.

8. Will you do teach groups?

Although my services are geared to one-on-ones, I will make exceptions for certain groups and rates will depend on the number of students. Reach out to me and we can see if your group will work within my framework.

9. Will you teach my teenager to dri...

NO.

10. Do you train dogs?

I can teach you how to train your dog, but that is a long-term process and depends a lot on your willingness to practice. That goes for many things that I teach: I can teach you the basics (and intermediate techniques if I have subject matter expertise) but it's up to you to practice. 

11. Do you guarantee your results?

I believe anyone can learn and that they can learn just about anything. Can anyone be an expert? That depends on a lot of different factors not within a teacher's control. When we are talking "guarantees" there is a suggestion of a level of performance required. Results are based on key performance indicators and measured by tested and proven assessments. Generally, I  do not provide this type of regular assessment for casual learning subjects. However, in certain circumstances, particularly in regards to children with special needs, it is an important part of understanding how they learn and their progress. This takes a lot of time outside of the learning environment by the professional (me). While this is not a guarantee of results, it informs other educators and caregivers of their optimal learning environment., and is usually used in circumstances where I see a learner multiple times, and where I have specific subject knowledge (like teaching a child to read). 

12. What don't you teach?

More Questions?