Aten, Susan BA, MA
Suzi Aten earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Sacramento in Liberal Studies and Mathematics, and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. She has extensive training in math and science as well as a background in art and theatre. Her degree in Liberal Studies has qualified her to teach a myriad of subjects. She has taught for 3 years in a diverse area of California. She believes that there is no “one size fits all” approach to education and that students should be encouraged to explore many different strategies for learning. She believes that all students should be given the opportunity to experience enriching activities so that they may have the opportunity to excel. In addition to her background in education, she has over 18 years experience working in theatre, has worked for a local designer as the head seamstress and assistant designer, has over 10 years experience as a henna artist, and practices eco-artistry.
Dwyer, Keenan
Keenan is a student at the University of Central Florida, who formerly majored in Mathematics and is currently majoring in Computer Science, with a minor in Mathematics. Courses taken include: Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Matrix and Linear Algebra, Stat Methods I, Stat Theory I, and Logic and Proof in Mathematics. His strives to share his passion for and understanding of math with the students he tutors.
Emery, Tanya
Tanya began her college career as a music education major at Valencia Community College, where she studied under Dr. Larry Weed and John Almeida. While at Valencia, she also taught private trumpet lessons. After receiving her AA degree, Tanya won a music scholarship to the University of Florida and studied there under Professor Joyce Davis for one year before transferring to UCF. While at UCF, she decided that the one subject she loved more than trumpet was child development, so she changed her major to early childhood education. Shortly after she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree, she got married and started her own family. For the past 15 years, Tanya has been raising and homeschooling her two children. During this time, she has organized preschool music and enrichment programs for the Mom’s Club of Sanford; taught music, reading, and language arts classes at the Educational Resource Center; served as a child development attendant at the Lake Mary YMCA; and worked with several families as a private tutor. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach trumpet lessons again, and is extremely excited about joining the Spark! family.
Jeanis, Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn is an Environmental Engineering student at the University of Central Florida, who volunteers her time to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Engineers Without Borders. She believes that education is of the utmost importance for both individuals and society as a whole. Kaitlyn is consistently searching for new ways to explain and supplement material in hopes that the students she tutors will have a stronger foundation as they pursue their future endeavors. She hopes to use her knowledge and experience to help others become successful and confident in the material they are attempting to master.
Kovacs, Molly
Molly is a student in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida. She is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. She has been a camp counselor for the past seven years and has a passion for working with children. She enjoys being a student and learning new information. Her goals for the future include entering veterinary school and studying to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
McCallister, Gretchen, MA
Gretchen has a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, certified in the state of Florida for grades Pre-K3-6th (Elementary Education), K-12 (Exceptional Education), and 7-12 (Consumer Science). Gretchen has worked in the field of education for 30 years, teaching preschool and elementary grades, in public and private schools. Gretchen is currently an instructor at Seminole State College, where I teach courses in the Early Childhood and Education Departments. Gretchen believes that children are a wonderful way to start people! Their enthusiasm, optimism, curiosity and honesty are what has kept her inspired to teach for so long. Gretchen believes that every child can learn and that every child should be excited about learning. As a teacher, she enjoys using as many strategies, techniques and materials as are needed, to help the children comprehend the topics and concepts. She adapts learning materials to fit the individual needs of each child, and listens very carefully to what children are saying. She has enormous respect for the abilities and innate “goodness’ of children, and that is reflected in her teaching. Gretchen is a mother of six children (in a blended family), so has a great deal of “practical” experience, too!