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is a developmental learning specialist? | contact
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Simply put, a tutor is usually an expert in subject matter;
a Learning Specialist is an expert in learning itself. And while
a Learning Specialist traditionally carries a degree in Special
Education, my degree comes from the Developmental Teacher Education
program at UC Berkeley. The Developmental approach to teaching
refers to an emphasis on meeting each student exactly where
she is on her developmental path—that is, the focus is on the
student first rather than the subject matter being taught. Studying
all varieties of pedagogy, remediation and enrichment for all
kinds of learners, I came to find my niche in looking for creative
ways to solve individual learning struggles for all kinds of
students. In fact, my experience has shown me that the labels
gifted, mainstream and special needs sell
all three categories grievously short.
| Each child carries a remarkable, unique and
very personal spectrum of strengths and struggles; a
child placed in any category can benefit from the multi-sensory
approaches developed for the "special needs" population
and surely every child deserves the kind of "enrichment"
activities developed for the "gifted" population. |
Herein lies the joy of one-on-one work: for
a child who is wilting under the sense that he is somehow defective
or even utterly incapable, we can throw the labels out the window,
continually reinforce the notion that everyone has
both strengths and struggles, and celebrate that child's strengths
while he learns to use them to overcome learning challenges.
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© Mike L. Miller 2008
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Herzog
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