About Samantha

As an educator, I firmly believe in meeting students where they are and create individualized action plans that address growth areas in reading and/or writing in partnership with my students and their families. I have taught within the New York Department of Education as well as private school settings in New York City. I am grateful for the perspectives I have gained as an educator from teaching in these varying environments.

There is nothing more rewarding than establishing a trusting and supportive relationship with my students, facilitating observable growth and confidence in concepts and skills that had previously been daunting and incomprehensible. I thrive on sharing my love for reading and writing - in all its various forms - with my students.

When I’m not teaching or reading a good book, I love traveling, cooking, spending time with my dog, surfing and being by the ocean.

Education

Masters of Arts in Teaching, English (Grades 5-12) - Relay University, New York

Bachelor of Arts in English: Language, Literature and Criticism

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that education is what inspires and drives social progress. My responsibility as a teacher is to create a safe and nurturing environment where students are empowered to raise questions, voice their opinions and feel motivated to critically examine who they are, where they come from, and how they interact with the world they live in.

My most important priority is my relationships with my students. All students deserve a teacher who is caring and genuine, responsible and structured, but also passionate and excited. I seek to create a comfortable, authentic environment that fosters personal connections; my students learn best when they know I care about them and their success. I appreciate the opportunity to guide my students towards an understanding of their life’s purpose, their identity, and how they can be of service to the world around them. The most valuable lesson I have learned as a teacher is the importance of how my own cultural experiences come into contact with the experiences of my students and their families. My teaching is responsive and flexible, encompassing the understanding that everyone has different learning styles and it is my responsibility to cater my instruction to meet the needs of every student in the room.

My overall goal as a teacher is to incite a love of learning and challenge in my students; to show humility but also demonstrate leadership and integrity; to ensure clear expectations and consistency. It is my hope that by bringing openness and positivity into the classroom each day, my students will see themselves as agents of change who can recognize and experience their own future success.