PrepNow Tutor - Sara B.
Sara earned her bachelor's in Middle Eastern studies at Dickinson College, but her first job was as an early education teacher, working with infants through 12-year-olds. She also worked one-on-one with autistic children in school and community settings.
She then landed what she describes as her "dream job," working with refugees in an educational setting. While she originally started as the data support specialist, she was promoted to educational specialist after only three months, after her supervisor saw her work with students. For two years, she was both a case manager and a tutor for refugee children from 5 to 19 years old. The schools she worked in were highly understaffed, with more than 40 English Language Learners to one teacher. "I spent most of my day in the classroom assisting my clients with class work," Sara says. "After school, I ran a tutoring program for students, offering extra help with homework, math, reading, writing, and English comprehension. Many of my students had never been to school before and were expected to perform at the grade level appropriate for their age." The organization also hosted a summer program each year to help its students maintain the progress they made during the school year. When the program was a victim of budget cuts, Sara returned to working with autistic children as a registered behavioral technician. Using applied behavior analysis, she helped develop and implement behavioral plans for autistic children, working on basics like food acceptance and appropriate behaviors, as well as social, daily-living, and educational skills. Many of her clients were homeschooled and needed assistance with academics.
Sara left that position to return to school to study social work. Currently a master's candidate in clinical social work at the University of Central Florida, Sara was chosen to join the Golden Key Society as one of the top 10 percent of students in her program and is being inducted into Phi Alpha, the national honor society for social work students. Sara interns at a day facility for adults with various mental health disorders, as well as tutoring.
Sara started teaching in high school, working with students aged 3 to 12 at the dance studio where she trained. "I truly love seeing that moment when students finally understand a difficult concept. I also enjoy trying to find different ways of explaining a topic if whatever method I'm currently using isn't sinking in for a student." In college, she tutored fellow underclassmen in Arabic, and while living in Jordan, she tutored English as a Second Language. After college, she took a four-week intensive certification course in teaching English as a Second Language (CELTA) in New York City and taught weekly ESL lessons to immigrants visiting or living in the city.
As a teacher and tutor, Sara says: "I try not to make any assumptions about where my students are, but instead gauge where their skill levels are and meet them there. If the foundation is missing pieces, we will have issues down the road when trying to conquer more difficult concepts." Sara carefully guides students to answers, rather than simply giving them. She explains, "By asking a student to walk through each step needed to answer a question, he or she will better understand the concept and be able to answer similar questions on his or her own in the future."
In high school, Sara was active on the student council and Key Club, and interned at a law office. A competitive dancer, she was a soloist for four years, and her senior year, she was a principal dancer and student choreographer for her team. She continued dancing in college as a member of the Dance Theater Group and dance team, for which she also choreographed. She was also a cheerleader, and squad captain her senior year. She both volunteered and interned for the admissions office; participated in and, as a senior, coordinated a leadership program called LeaderShape; and was active in Middle Eastern Studies Club.
Sara describes herself as a "lover of languages and cultures and all-around nerdy person." She says: "In the very little spare time I have, I love trying to conquer new languages. If I could have one power, it would be to be able to speak every language on Earth." She would make good use of that ability, as she loves to explore cultures by travelling with her husband. She also enjoys reading, preferring "any book with a twist," and playing with her Miniature Schnauzer-Boston Terrier mix. An active dancer in ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, and more for 20 years--including 8 years of competition--Sara still attends dance classes from time to time.
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