About

My Mission

Provide resources for teachers and families to help support beginning reading skills and a love for reading.

Create meaningful and innovative learning experiences for children that are tailored to their needs and interests.

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About Me

My name is Sam and I’m a credentialed K-3 public school reading specialist that is passionate about creating more effective ways for schools to raise reading rates. I have over a decade of experience teaching in a variety of educational settings and love collaborating with fellow educators and companies to support students, teachers and families. In addition to being a full-time teacher, I also have six years of experience providing private tutoring in reading to TK-6 students.

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and spent summers in Sonoma at my grandparent’s house that they bought in the 60’s when they moved here from Ireland.  Sonoma has always held a special place in my heart and was like a second home to me. It is a dream to now be living in Sonoma as an adult and I hope to set roots down for my own family here in the “Valley of the Moon”.

I received my BA in Human Development with minors in Early Childhood Education and Business from Sonoma State.  After receiving my BA I moved to San Francisco to acquire my CLAD Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Francisco State.  After teaching in the classroom for a few years I went back to school to become a K-6 Reading Specialist. I currently work with students K-4th in a California public school and create resources for teachers and families on Teachers Pay Teachers. I have experience working in preschool and elementary settings, both public and private.  I have also worked at summer camps, provided childcare for private families throughout the last fifteen years and have planned and taught a six class parent workshop on kindergarten readiness and beginning reading skills.

As a teacher I have always been drawn to innovating the ways literacy and social-emotional intelligence are incorporated into my classroom. Through Valley of the Moon Learning I hope to help children grow their love of reading and become lifelong learners.

EDUCATION:

  • CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential – San Francisco State (Cleared through BTSA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with Minors in Early Childhood Education and Business – Sonoma State

CERTIFICATES:

  • Professionally trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach(2021)
  • CA Reading Certificate – Reading and Literacy Added Authorization
  • CLAD Certificate – Authorization to instruct English Language Learners

OTHER:

 ValleyoftheMoonLearning@gmail.com

Click here to learn more about me, my credentials and experience.

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Click here to view my teaching resources on Teachers Pay Teachers

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Click here to learn more about my services

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Click here to check out what Valley of the Moon Learning is up to on Instagram