Brooke W

TUTOR PROFILE:

I have always enjoyed working with students and teaching people new things! I grew up in the Scottsdale area and volunteered in elementary schools as early as High School. In 2003, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Studies and Child Development from Arizona State University and began my career in education by teaching in a preschool.  After working in a preschool setting for three years, I decided I needed a new challenge, so I returned to school to complete a Master’s program at The University of Phoenix.  I earned an M.A.Ed. in K-12 Special Education in 2006 and began working in special education classrooms at a public school.

I have over 13 years of experience as an educator in preschool through 4th grade, working with children on the Autism spectrum, ADD and ADHD, as well as other learning disabilities. I currently work as a school administrator, after earning a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University in May 2014. I also hold an Autism Specialist Certification (PBIS) from Northern Arizona University, a Wilson Reading Systems Level 1 and Dyslexia certification, and a reading endorsement.

I have worked with Peak academics since 2013 as both a tutor and an evaluator for our comprehensive educational evaluations.  I love working with students to support them with challenges they may have as well as to help determine what might help them to be more successful.  Each student is a unique individual and I enjoying finding ways to connect with them so that I can help support their learning.

When I am not working you will find me outdoors enjoying an active lifestyle.  I am a certified SCUBA diver, avid hiker, and ran my first half marathon in June.  I am currently training for a full marathon and a triathlon!

I am currently Peak’s primary evaluator for Comprehensive Educational Evaluations. 

TESTIMONIAL:

”Mrs. Williams was kind, professional, very encouraging and made the tutoring sessions fun for my girls. Her kind and loving nature comes through in the work she does with the children. The children adore her.”

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Kerrilee W

TUTOR PROFILE:

I grew up in Michigan and have since lived in Maryland and Arizona. One of my favorite positions in my early career was teaching art classes to underserved children as a volunteer with Free Arts of Arizona. That experience was the impetus that led me to pursue a career as a teacher. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a focus on mixed media and a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. My teaching certification is in cross-categorical special education.

I have been teaching special education for over 15 years in private, public, and public charter schools. I have tutored children in kindergarten through middle school.  I have served as a 504 coordinator and English Language Development Specialist. I currently work as an Exceptional Services Specialist for a network of schools.

Helping students appreciate their own strengths and talents while enlarging their conceptions of their capabilities encourages curiosity and a positive approach to lessons. I support children to seek their personal best through the persistent pursuit of improvement. Our goal is independence and a sense of wonder.

I enjoy reading and discussing books about education, sociology, and philosophy when I am not walking or hiking with my best four-legged friend.

As a tutor, I specialize in core academics skills, organization, and task completion with elementary-aged students. I also develop and deliver presentations on executive skills to other Peak team members. I especially enjoy collaborating with parents to benefit their children as we work toward greater independence. My hope is that through consistent support students can generalize their skills to new situations, respond efficiently to challenges, and enjoy their successes. 

TESTIMONIAL:

”I’ve come to look forward to our sessions with Kerri because I know she has the skill level, both academically and on the personal level, to give my son the help he needs.”

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Laura M

TUTOR PROFILE:

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where I attended Washington University and completed my bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Spanish with a focus on Latin American Studies. I completed my master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Tennessee. My career experience has focused on supporting adolescents and young adults in multiple settings, including home and school- based behavioral therapy, children’s hospital social work, and currently special education in the Valley supporting high school students as they develop essential independent living and post-secondary readiness skills.

For the past two and a half years I have worked as a high school transition specialist with freshman through senior level students as they develop their executive function, independent living, and post-secondary readiness skills. I teach a daily class that focuses on the understanding, development, and practice of these skills and also support students and their families as they plan for post-secondary experiences that are most appropriate.

The main way I connect with students is to help them explore and establish goals that are relevant to them and what they view to be successful high school experience. After students set their goals, I support them in developing and utilizing tools that they can successfully use across academic and personal platforms. My focus is to help students take ownership as they learn and understand what motivates them to be successful. 

I spend most of my free time with my husband and daughter as we explore all of the wonderful things the Valley has to offer. We love to take day trips to escape the heat of the summer and enjoy traveling when we are able to. I also love to bake and craft, as these two activities help me slow down and practice mindfulness as well as those important executive function skills!

My main areas of support are for secondary students as they learn, develop, and practice executive function skills that will help them to be successful both in and outside of the classroom.  

TESTIMONIAL:

Coming soon…

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