I am an educationalist with over 20 years experience in the field of education. I have skills in Teaching and Training, Mentoring, Research and Public Speaking with a Master’s degree in Specific Learning Difficulties / Dyslexia.
I work with wonderful neurodiverse students who struggle to learn in typical academic settings due to challenges with dyslexia (dyslexic), autism (autistic) and ADHD, aged 7 to adult. My goal is for all students to have access to a good experience in their education and to achieve what they are capable of. I seek to provide my students with a calm, patient and nurturing approach to increase their self confidence and to address their study challenges.
I have experience of working in a wide range of educational settings: mainstream and specialist schools, alternative provision, universities, environmental education and early years nurseries. My life-long of love of the natural world and the creative arts have proved assets to my teaching for many learners – especially those who struggle with formal education. For nearly 20 years I have also provided bespoke 1:1 tuition privately for children, adolescents and, since 2020, for young adults at university who qualify for government funded, disabled student allowance (DSA), assisting them with specific study skills and mentoring support.
I greatly enjoy building a rapport with the learners in my care – finding what ‘sparks’ their curiosity and what interests them sufficiently for them to access and enjoy studying. I continue my own professional development: updating my knowledge and networking with colleagues in the field. In recent years, I have become increasingly focused on researching ways the current education system can be radically overhauled, so it is fit for purpose for young people today and so they are inspired to enjoy life-long learning.
Each child has a spark inside him or her. It is the responsibility of the people and institutions around each child to find out what would ignite that spark.
Howard Gardiner
Larissa Learning 