Heather

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Heather is a seasoned science educator with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from UMBC and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. She holds an Advanced Professional License in Biology (Grades 7–12) and over twenty years of experience teaching, homeschooling, and coaching neurodivergent learners. A mother of four twice-exceptional children, Heather combines academic rigor with deep empathy, helping students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and giftedness thrive. A Maryland Governor’s Academy fellow, she loves nature, art, cycling, and board games like Ticket to Ride.

Monday 12pm-4pm and 8-10pm EST, Tuesday 1-4pm and 8-10pm EST, Wednesday 1-4pm and 8-10pm EST, Thursday 10am-12pm and 8-10pm EST, Friday 10am-1pm EST, Saturday 10am- 2pm EST, Sunday: no availability

I want to meet students where they are and coach them to the finish line, whatever that looks like for them. My main goal is to provide scaffolding for students to become successful learners and for them to understand how they learn best.

My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from UMBC and I have a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. My teaching license from the state of Maryland is an Advanced Professional License for Biology in grades 7-12. I taught four neurodivergent kids from K through 12 and have a level 1 certificate in Pathological Demand Avoidance.

I tutored athletes in college, high school students looking to succeed on college entrance exams, and my own children in their schooling from K-12. Also, I've worked on consulting and membership with parents who are homeschooling out-of-the-box, sick, and neurodivergent teens.

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Heather
$74.00 USD

Subject Expertise

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Algebra
Algebra
American Goverment
American Goverment
Art
Art
Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts
Astronomy
Astronomy
Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry
Civics
Civics
Cooking
Cooking
Creativity
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Earth Science
Earth Science
ELA
ELA
GED
GED
Genetics
Genetics

My mission

My mission as a tutor is to facilitate online, accessible learning with clear explanations, materials, and expectations for all students, regardless of learning challenges or circumstances and prior knowledge, so that learners can understand how they learn best and can achieve their potential through tailored experiences.

My Story

I grew up in Maryland and now live in both New York and New Jersey as I go between our home in NY and our satellite location in NJ, where my husband now works. My undergraduate degree is in biological sciences, and I have an MS in curriculum and instruction. Science is my favorite! I love helping others to understand how they interact with science every day and to bring science alive, even for those who dislike science. I homeschooled all four of our 2e kids right through high school graduation. Our children have given me experience teaching students with severe chronic illnesses and challenging neurodiversity. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy walking in nature, nature journaling, playing board games (especially Ticket to Ride in all its forms!), and making art.

Cognitive Diversity

How I adapt to students with diverse intellectual needs.

My own children are 2e (twice exceptional, being gifted with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism). So, I have a lot of experience tutoring individually and in small groups kids with cognitive differences. My experience includes teaching kids who are chronically ill and struggle in general. Additionally, I worked with families of neurodivergent kids and teens to help them work well with their own children and teens in learning environments.

All four of my own children are 2e, so I have experience homeschooling 2e kids from K through 12. Three of our children have graduated college with honors and they were prepared for their time in college through appropriate accommodations.

My husband and I are gifted learners as are our four children, so I have a lot of experience working with gifted kids and teens. It's a wonderful to keep gifted learners challenged academically and it's important to let them explore and discover all angles of a topic but also understand that once they've got it, they've got it and it's time to pivot!

I have worked with students who are profoundly gifted and love the challenge of facilitating their learning!

Our entire family, my husband and I and all four of our children are ADHD. I enjoy working with ADHD learners! They keep life interesting and I love to help ADHD kids and teens to make the most of their neurology to be successful in school and life.

All four of my children are autistic and I have worked with other students who are also autistic.

I have worked with children who have mild dyslexia and coached parents of severely dyslexic children and teens.

Our entire family experiences sensory processing challenges! In fact, it's one of those things I still work with in our young adults. Our daughter has a BS in fashion design and works specifically with people who have sensory processing issues. It's something we talk about a lot and it makes sense to accommodate those needs in order to encourage learning.

Our entire family experiences sensory processing challenges! In fact, it's one of those things I still work with in our young adults. Our daughter has a BS in fashion design and works specifically with people who have sensory processing issues. It's something we talk about a lot and it makes sense to accommodate those needs in order to encourage learning.

Heather Sample Lesson

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