A bit about Dayna D

I am a primary years teacher currently completing my masters in education to give me even more skills in helping young people reach their full potential! I lived and worked in China for 4 years, teaching in international and bilingual schools. I have rich online teaching experience only enhanced by the Covid-19 pandemic. My students have fun and engaging lessons. I specialise in English Language, Arts, English as a Second Language, use of dramatic arts to enhance oral communication and primary level maths. After meeting with students (and/or parents) to discuss their learning goals, I create tailored lessons. These centre around the goal and targets, I use interactive games and powerpoints. I like to make my lessons student centred to ensure engagement and learning retention. In 2018 I started tutoring one-on-one with students aged 3-12 in their homes. During the pandemic I conducted private small-group online classes as well as my regular online teaching schedule. My in person tutoring classes transitioned to online in 2020 and I took on more online students from there. I enjoy seeing students progress and develop a love for English themselves! It brings me joy to see students become more independent and confident in the skills I teach them in English and in maths. I am forward planning and highly adaptable to each student's needs. I like to think of myself as a facilitator during lessons rather than a lecturer. I encourage students to take charge of their own learning and see myself as a guide to them. My favourite thing is getting to know students a bit more personally. One-on-one or small group sessions give teacher's and students a better rapport allowing us to develop a mutual trust. This all contributes to my understanding of each student but gives them more breathing room and space to thrive in a learning environment! I believe each learning environment and each student is unique, making it's own community. My role in this community is to help each individual grow academically, socially, emotionally and personally. I create a safe learning space where students won't be afraid to share their ideas, make mistakes or take risks. I have high expectations of my students as I believe it promotes self-discipline and reaps positive benefits. They love being able to have an input. Students want to learn more when presented with topics interesting to them in an exciting way. They love hands-on activities and use of technology I provide in my classes. They feel comfortable to approach me with any question they have in or outside the classroom. My greatest success has been seeing my students grow and learn from me. I, myself, have grown immeasurably in my practice and have learnt from each and every child that has come in to my physical or virtual classroom. I have a BA(Hons) in Drama and Performance, where I specialised in drama therapy. I have a TEFL certificate and am currently completing my PGDE in primary education. My high school drama teacher Miss Ferguson. I had many problems and worries as a teenager, Miss Ferguson's classroom was a haven where I felt so safe. I learned so much from her, I could talk to her about anything. Her lessons were so fun, I was always excited to go to her class. I knew from an early age I wanted to have a positive effect on the lives of young people the way she did mine. I like travelling, walking my dog, practicing yoga and enjoying the outdoors! I love cooking and talking about food with others. I'm an avid reader and currently reading all about primary education! I have taught students up to age 11 in an IB setting where there is unit assessments. Outside of that I have done formative and summative assessments to track students progress.