Sonika

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Sonika is an experienced special education and homeschool teacher from South Africa with a degree in Education and a diploma in Remedial Education. She spent five years as a licensed special education teacher in Virginia and eight years homeschooling her sons. Sonika specializes in teaching students with ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, and other learning differences through structured routines, visual supports, and hands-on strategies. Her approach balances structure and empathy, helping learners gain confidence and independence. A passionate cook and lifelong learner, she brings creativity to every lesson, from math to life skills, and enjoys baking unique family cakes and traditional South African dishes.

Monday: 9a.m.-5p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Tuesday: 11a.m.-2p.m. and 3p.m.-5p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Wednesday: 9a.m.-5p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Thursday: 11a.m.-2p.m. and 3p.m.-5p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Friday: 9a.m.-2p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Saturday: No availability
Sunday: No availability

My approach to teaching emphasizes respecting individual learning differences and is rooted in the belief that all students can thrive when given the right tools to engage with new material. I also focus on building students' self-confidence, as this fosters personal success in mastering new content.

I obtained a degree in Education at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and also a diploma in Remedial Education (1999-2003: Port Elizabeth, South Africa). I was a licensed Special Education Teacher in Virginia (USA) for five years (2010-2015). In addition to this I have also homeschooled my boys for eight years (2017-present).

I homeschooled my sons in all subjects for eight years, which provided me with a strong foundation in understanding the natural progression of learning. I also recognize that carefully selecting learning materials to match each student's needs has a significant impact on their success in the learning environment.

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Sonika
$127.00 USD

Subject Expertise

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Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Cooking
Cooking
Fractions
Fractions
Life Skills
Life Skills
Math
Math
Public Speaking
Public Speaking

My mission

I am dedicated to empowering students to become confident, lifelong learners with an unwavering belief in their potential for success. My greatest inspiration comes from supporting students as they overcome personal obstacles, advance toward their learning goals, and forge connections between their academic achievements and future opportunities.

My Story

Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, I discovered my passion for learning early and excelled through sports, leadership roles, and academics, which naturally led me to pursue teaching. After graduation, I taught in poverty-stricken schools, learning to respect each person before educating them—an experience that cultivated deep gratitude and shaped my teaching philosophy. At 26, my husband and I moved to Virginia, where we’ve raised our two boys and built a life rooted in faith and respect for all people. After years in public education, I chose to homeschool my sons to provide a loving environment where they could develop their strengths, address challenges, and become confident lifelong learners. Today, I’m passionate about helping others overcome personal obstacles to reach their educational goals. I find joy in cooking wholesome meals, outdoor adventures, and raising two compassionate young men. Interestingly, after being attacked by a dog at age seven and living with a phobia for years, I now adore our two puggles, Henry and Ruby—a beautiful reminder that positive change is always possible and should be embraced.

Cognitive Diversity

How I adapt to students with diverse intellectual needs.

I have a background in Special Needs Education and have worked with students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Autism, Down Syndrome, and other learning differences. Within my own family, I have implemented systems to successfully support attention challenges. These included using timers, visual cues and reminders, calendars and charts for focus, breaking down assignments into manageable chunks, incorporating frequent movement breaks, and creating a modified learning environment free of distractions. As a result, I have witnessed significant improvements in learning outcomes. In addition, I have worked with gifted students by providing more challenging activities, assigning deeper reading, and encouraging higher-level thinking skills.

Effective online engagement for ADHD students requires intentional design featuring frequent interactive breaks, multi-sensory activities, clear visual organization, and flexible participation structures that honor both their need for movement and their capacity for deep, focused learning when properly supported.

Sonika Sample Lesson

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