Clinician Spotlight: Susan Spurlock

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

Clinician Spotlight: Danielle Klan

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

Clinician Spotlight: Angela Benson

An interview with Angela Benson, our talented clinician from Nashville, TN.

Q. What is one book and one movie you think every student should read or watch?

I couldn’t pick just one, so here are two: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger. They both read very well out loud and stand the test of time. 

I also utilize film in my classes, and the one that stands out to me is Big Miracle which is a story about a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. It’s great for teaching middle school geography standards and I even have accompanying worksheets for it!

Q: What advice would you give to a student who is anxious about succeeding in school?

I would start by having a conversation with the student to identify what success in school means for them. We are all unique individuals and success can mean different things to each student as well as the strategies to achieve it. 

Q: What were you like as a high school student?

I grew up with high parental expectations and was always a very high achieving student. During a part of my high school career, I attended a private school where I participated in competitions for my Latin club, was involved in theater and the writing club, played violin in junior symphony, and was part of the tennis team.

When I was pulled out of the private school for my senior year into a public school setting, I quickly became bored and disengaged. In the new school setting, I was not given the same opportunities to challenge myself. I think many students can relate to my experience. 

Q: What is your dream job? 

Being a teacher is my dream job in many ways. When I was younger, I wanted to be Indiana Jones, participating in archaeological digs. I also explored the idea of working for the state department because I was always very good with languages.

Now, I would say my dream job is to be a writer. I have been working on a couple of novels in the past few years so I would love to make writing more than a passing hobby.

Q: What is the most memorable thing you’ve ever learned about a student?

I taught a student in 8th grade, who now plays for the New England Patriots. He came from a very difficult family background and had goals to attend Vanderbilt University and play for the NFL. He made this dream his reality through hard work and is now doing exactly what he always wanted to do. I’m still very close to him and frequently attend his games. His journey is one that really sticks out to me.

Angela attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN for her B.A. and her M.A.  She had a double major in History and Religious studies in undergrad and earned her M.A. in Education.  That work led her to Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned an M.A. in Systematic Theology and Ethics with a focus in Education and Counseling from CSU Eastbay.

Areas of Focus: Secondary Education, Written Expression, Language Arts, English/Literature/Grammar, Social Studies/History, Test Prep, Latin, Executive Function, Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment, Critical Thinking Skills, Organizational & Study Skills, Metacognitive Strategies, Social-Emotional Learning

Read more about Angela Benson

Building a Web of Support

By Amy Soukup, M.A., Director of Education

There are many people and components that come together to create a strong web of support for your child’s educational experience. While parents and caregivers are a vital part of this support, you are not alone! We and other professionals are here to problem solve, provide recommendations, and strengthen your child’s support. There is no one right path, and each child’s journey and web of support will look different and likely evolve over time. Your child’s well-being is at the center and brings all of the people and pieces together.

Who and what might be part of your child’s web of support?

Family and Caregivers

Parents, caregivers, and any other family members are the first line of support for a child’s learning development. While formal learning may often happen outside of the home, a love of learning, sense of curiosity, and academic confidence can all be developed and supported in the home. If at a loss, educational professionals (including those at Strategies for Learning) can provide suggestions of ways to support your child’s learning in the home.

In-School Support

Your child’s school team. While your child likely has designated classroom teachers, their team may also include a learning specialist, case manager, administrators, school psychologist or counselor, in-school specialists, and/or other support staff. If you’re not sure who all is assigned to support your child, ask your child’s classroom teacher or case manager for a list of contacts. This will ensure you have a strong window into your child’s day-to-day school experience as well as who to turn to with specific questions or concerns. 

Assessments and Evaluations

While your child may likely receive some amount of informal or formal assessment at school, an additional evaluation performed by a neuropsychologist or other qualified professional is sometimes recommended in order to get a more in-depth and nuanced picture of your child’s needs. Neuropsychologists can perform comprehensive assessments and can inform data-driven intervention or support.

Specialized Instruction

While most students will receive some amount of support, accommodations, and/or modifications within their school experience, Educational Therapy or the equivalent will often be recommended in order to further support your child. Your child’s Educational Therapist or Specialist will have the unique expertise to equip your child with strategies to support how they learn best, so that they can apply these strategies to other learning environments such as their home or school.

Outside Services

These can be identified and recommended by a qualified professional such as your child’s physician or a neuropsychologist performing an evaluation for your child. Outside services can include but are not limited to vision therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, mental health services, medication or treatments indicated by your child’s physician and more.

Don’t know where to start? If feeling overwhelmed, one simple step you can start with is to make a consultation appointment with any organization or person with experience in educational advocacy or guidance. At Strategies for Learning, this is one of many services we offer to help families determine next steps to best support their child. 

Schedule an initial consultation.

Check out our Recommendation and Resource Guide.