#personalized learning

I work one-on-one or with groups. Choose how many hours a month, how long a class you want, and much more. I focus on meeting your particular needs, handing out clear tasks and keeping art enjoyable! Please DM me if interested or email me at [email protected]

Hello! Since everyone is currently trapped in place and more or less indoors, but university classes are still going on and end-of-course/year tests are still up in the air, I’m stepping up my plans to offer online tutoring. 

If you, a student, need help keeping on top of things in these trying times, I am offering my services. (Also if you, a parent, feel that your kid could use a constructive distraction in the next few weeks... ) 

I will be available over a variety of media, including gmail, skype, whatsapp, discord, and google voice. I am prepared to offer tutoring in math and physics: 

Math: Pre-algebra, Algebra I&II, SAT/ACT prep, Pre-calculus, Calculus, AP Calculus AB & BC, and Statistics 

Physics: high school physics from general to AP levels; also some college level physics. 

Credentials: 

I graduated Biomedical Engineering with honors in 2016, and am in the final semester of my Masters of Arts in Teaching (full-time student teaching! currently on hold). I tutored College Algebra and Statistics as a Graduate Assistant. 

I am also bilingual (English-Russian), so if you are a Russian speaker looking to convert your skills to a new language, I am happy to assist. (I have found this also helps when working with ESL/ELL learners who speak a language other than Russian, but this will be up to you).

The rules of the game are these: 

Pre-interview is free. We discuss what topics you would like me to cover, or what type of assistance you would like (additional instruction? problem solving? etc). We will also discuss pricing, or you can dm me for more info. 

I reserve the right to refuse for any reason. 

If you have a problem you would like me to help with, you may email it to me or upload it to my google drive. I ask that you give me a minimum of 24 hours to prepare.  (I doubt it will take me longer than that, but it depends on how many people I am working with). 

I will not do anyone’s assignments for them. I will look at the problems you have submitted to me and get back to you with similar problems, discuss solution strategies, and offer background as necessary. This is  personalized learning, which why I am asking for a minimum of 24 hours to prepare. 

I was observed by someone from the district.

She came in took pictures.

Talked to my kiddos.

Took more pictures.

I think it went great.

We will see what my principal says....

Americans and Cybersecurity - Pew Research Center

Government Printing Office - Atlas Obscura

Governors Put Cybersecurity, Broadband on Front Burner - GCN

Growing Role of Technology in Personalized Learning - Mind/Shift

National Archives Vault - Atlas Obscura

New Online: the George Washington Papers Move to a New Digital Platform - Library of Congress

New Online: the Walt Whitman Papers in The Charles E. Feinberg Collection - Library of Congress

The Original Women's March on Washington and the Suffragists Who Paved the Way - Smithsonian

Studies in the News – a weekly compilation of policy-tested articles and reports compiled by the California Research Bureau

Picture this: It's 9 PM. You've done the bath, brushed the teeth, read three books, sung two lullabies, and given exactly seven kisses goodnight. You tiptoe toward the door, hand on the light switch, thinking you've finally won the bedtime battle...

"Mommy! I'm not tired! I don't want to sleep!"

*Internal screaming intensifies*

If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. Toddler sleep resistance is basically an Olympic sport, and our little ones are going for gold every single night. But what if I told you there's a secret weapon that many parents overlook? One that doesn't involve melatonin gummies, white noise machines, or bribing your kid with extra screen time?

The answer might be simpler than you think: better storytelling.

Why Stories Work Magic at Bedtime

Here's the thing about toddlers – their brains are constantly buzzing with energy, curiosity, and let's be honest, a fair amount of chaos. Traditional bedtime routines focus on winding down, but sometimes what kids really need is a gentle mental redirect rather than an abrupt stop.

Stories provide that perfect bridge between "I'm not tired!" and actual sleep because they:

Engage their imagination in a calm way – instead of fighting their active minds, we're channeling that energy

Create predictable comfort – the familiar rhythm of storytelling signals that bedtime is here

Give them control – they can picture the story, imagine themselves in it, and feel involved without actually being wound up

Build positive sleep associations – bedtime becomes something to look forward to rather than resist

The Personal Connection Game-Changer

Now, here's where it gets really interesting. Regular bedtime stories are great, but personalized stories? That's next-level magic. When your child becomes the hero of their own bedtime adventure, something beautiful happens. They're not just listening passively – they're emotionally invested, but in a soothing way.

I discovered this accidentally when my friend started using Living Library for her bilingual household. Her daughter went from bedtime battles to actually asking for "story time" because she was genuinely excited to hear what adventures she'd go on each night. The stories feature her as the main character and rotate between English and Spanish, which was perfect for their family.

Making Storytelling Work for Sleep-Resistant Toddlers

Whether you're telling stories off the top of your head or using a resource, here are the strategies that actually work:

Keep the energy gentle but engaging. You want stories that capture their attention without ramping them up. Think magical gardens, cozy animal friends, or peaceful adventures rather than high-energy rescue missions.

Make them the hero, but a sleepy hero. "Once upon a time, there was a brave little explorer named [child's name] who had spent the whole day discovering amazing things. As the stars came out, [name] felt so proud of all their adventures that they decided to rest under the magical moon..."

Use repetitive, soothing language. Toddlers find comfort in predictability. Phrases like "safe and warm," "peaceful dreams," or "gentle moonlight" create a calm atmosphere.

End every story the same way. Create a consistent closing that signals sleep time. Something like, "And as [child's name] closed their eyes, they felt happy, loved, and ready for the most wonderful dreams."

When You're Too Tired to Be Creative

Let's be real – sometimes you're running on fumes and the idea of crafting a personalized bedtime story feels impossible. This is where having a go-to resource becomes a lifesaver. Tools like Living Library take the pressure off by providing ready-made personalized stories that you can simply read aloud, knowing they're designed specifically for bedtime success.

The key is consistency. Whether you're improvising or reading, make storytelling a non-negotiable part of your routine. It might take a week or two for your toddler to fully embrace it, but once they do, you'll wonder why you didn't try this sooner.

Picture this: It's 7:30 PM, your little one is finally in pajamas (after three costume changes because apparently dinosaur PJs are "too scary" tonight), and you're settling in for bedtime stories. But instead of reaching for the same English picture book you've read 847 times, you grab a Spanish one. Your child's eyes light up as you begin, "Había una vez..."

If you're raising a bilingual child or just want to introduce a second language to your family, bedtime stories are actually one of the most magical ways to do it. And no, you don't need to be fluent in another language to make this work! Here are five amazing benefits of reading bedtime stories in two languages.

1. It Creates Positive Language Associations

Think about it—bedtime is cozy time. It's snuggles, warmth, and feeling safe. When you read stories in a second language during these precious moments, your child starts associating that language with love and comfort, not with homework or "having to learn something." This emotional connection is so much more powerful than any formal language lesson could ever be.

2. It Boosts Cognitive Development

Here's some cool science for you: bilingual children show enhanced executive function, better problem-solving skills, and improved multitasking abilities. When your child's brain switches between languages during story time, they're literally getting a workout! Their little minds are learning to be flexible, to think in different ways, and to make connections between concepts across languages.

3. It Preserves Family Heritage

Maybe your grandmother spoke Italian, or your partner grew up speaking Mandarin. Reading bedtime stories in heritage languages is like giving your child a bridge to their family history. Even if you're not a native speaker yourself, you're showing them that their cultural background is valuable and worth preserving. Plus, kids are surprisingly forgiving of imperfect pronunciation—they just love hearing the rhythm and melody of different languages.

4. It Improves Understanding of Story Structure

When children hear the same types of stories in different languages, they start to understand universal storytelling patterns. They begin to recognize that stories have beginnings, middles, and ends regardless of the language they're told in. This actually makes them better readers and storytellers in both languages! Tools like Living Library make this even easier by creating personalized stories in multiple languages where your child is the main character—talk about keeping them engaged while learning!

5. It Builds Cultural Awareness and Empathy

Stories from different cultures come with different values, traditions, and ways of seeing the world. When your child hears a folktale from Mexico one night and a story from Korea the next, they're developing a more expansive worldview. They're learning that there are many different ways to live, think, and be—and that's pretty beautiful.

But what if you're not bilingual yourself?

Listen, you don't need to be perfectly fluent to make this work! Here are some realistic approaches:

Use books with simple, repetitive text in your target language

Try audio books where you can follow along

Ask bilingual friends or family members to record themselves reading stories

Use translation apps for pronunciation help (just don't stress about being perfect!)

Start with just a few words or phrases in another language within English stories

The key is consistency, not perfection. Even reading in a second language just twice a week can make a huge difference over time.

Making It Personal

Kids are naturally more engaged when they can see themselves in stories. That's why personalized bilingual bedtime stories are such a game-changer—when your little one is the hero of the adventure, they're not just learning a language, they're living it. Living Library creates exactly this kind of magical experience, making bedtime both cozy and educational.

Remember, you're not just teaching language skills—you're opening doors to new worlds, creating beautiful bonding moments, and giving your child gifts that will last a lifetime. Some nights the Spanish story might be a hit, other nights they might prefer English. That's totally normal! The important thing is that you're planting seeds.