Author: Christine

An interview with Susan Spurlock, our talented clinician from Oakland, CA

Q: What is one question you like to ask every student you start working with?

I like to start with a few questions: 1. Do you have any pets? 2. Do you have any hobbies? 3. What are your favorite activities?

These questions start a conversation and show the child I’m interested in them, which makes them feel listened to. They are good starting points for building a trusting relationship.

Q: How do you boost a student’s confidence in learning?

Promote a growth mindset. Celebrate mistakes for what they teach us as well as celebrating accomplishments. Encourage the student to look back and acknowledge their own growth. Set up situations where they can coach others, even by ‘play-acting’ that role myself. In other words, I might ask the student, “How would you explain this to me if I was struggling with it?”

Q: How do you help students discover the joy in learning?

Root learning activities in the student’s interests, and make them real-life or like-real-life. Present students with reading materials about subjects they care about. Present math challenges in contexts the student cares about and which might directly affect them or their loved ones. Although the tasks must be developmentally appropriate for the learner, the context and subject matter should be complex and thought-provoking in order to make it engaging and joy-producing.

Q: How do you define success as an educator? 

Student motivation is my idea of success. When a student is motivated and begins to participate in their own learning by adding interesting rules to games, asking for certain materials or activities, or in any way bringing new ideas to our work- that is my definition of success (or at least being on the right track!)

Q: You are self-quarantined for a week. What three items would you like to have with you?

I’d like to have my fiddle, a good book, and the “Hidden Brain” podcast.

Q: What makes you laugh?  

Silliness makes me laugh. My granddaughters make me laugh. On my best days I laugh at myself- a lot!

Susan Spurlock brings a rich background of multifaceted experience with children to her work with SfL. As a classroom teacher, drama instructor, music specialist, and camp instructor working with children of all ages she has gained many skills over her 35 years in education. An understanding of students’ social-emotional and motivational needs informs her techniques in teaching.

Areas of Focus: Primary Education to Middle School,  Reading Decoding, Reading Comprehension, Literature Circles, Language Arts, Written Expression, Elementary Math, Executive Function, Behavioral Coaching, Assessments, and Social Emotional Learning.

Read more about Susan Spurlock

An interview with Danielle Klan, our talented clinician from Waynesville, Ohio

Q: What are some ways to support a child’s distance learning? 

Aside from having a good secure online platform, engaging the student with a variety of activities and strategies will make learning more fun and exciting for the child. Learning through games is a great way to get a child’s attention and interest. Additionally, it is important to communicate and provide parents with resources to continue the learning at home. 

Q: What are some ways you make learning fun for your students?

There are a few that come to mind. One way is to use music! Music that incorporates body movements and piggybacks on math or reading concepts that were taught are great. A couple that I enjoy using are Jack Hartmann and GoNoodle. They can also be used during lessons, in the classroom or at home and are easily accessible. I also like to use games because they are interactive and keep things fun for the student. Lastly, I think it is important to focus on a child’s interests and incorporate them to their learning experience. 

Q: What advice would you give to a parent who is concerned that their child is falling behind?

Staying involved would be my best advice. This includes regularly connecting with professionals involved in the child’s learning whether that is a classroom teacher, a learning specialist, resource teacher or a clinician. If you are “in the know,” you can more seamlessly connect what and how your child is learning at school in the home. This can include resources, strategies and even the kind of language professionals are using with the child.  

Q: What do you think are the most important characteristics of an educator?

There are many but I was able to narrow it down to my top three. 

First, an educator should be passionate. You have to be passionate and driven about what you do. If you are not engaged, you can’t expect your students to be. 

Secondly, you have to be knowledgeable. You should know your student’s current wants/needs/desires and also be aware of how you can continue to foster their learning even after they’ve met their goals. 

Thirdly, you have to be flexible. Being an educator requires you to adapt to changes all the time. You have to be OK with trying new and different things in the best interest of the child. 

Q: If you could be a character in any book or movie, who would it be and why?

I totally would be Pete the Cat because he is just so fun! He constantly sings and brings joy to kids. His books also share valuable lessons and good underlying messages for kids. 

Danielle received her MA in Special Education from Miami University of Ohio. She has experience as a general education teacher and intervention specialist in the primary education grades. She is trained in the Orton- Gillingham approach for reading intervention and instruction.

Areas of Focus: Primary Education, Structured Literacy, Reading Decoding, Dyslexia, Orton-Gillingham, Reading Comprehension, Written Expression, Language Arts, Elementary Math, Executive Function, Organizational & Study Skills, Metacognitive Strategies, Social Emotional Learning

Read more about Danielle Klan