I am currently enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg as a double major in Secondary Education and Applied Mathematics. This allows me more freedom with the required hours I need doing student observations while also being on the school’s baseball team. Being on the baseball team helps me with time management as I have a lot on my plate to balance. I have completed some of my required pre-student teaching at Greensburg Salem Middle School, being a tutor in the after school Read to Succeed program. The program allows me to tutor a small group of students while getting accustomed to the ways of teaching in my early years at college. I have also been in the classroom observing a 7^th grade English teacher at the middle school as well, observing the everyday activities of a class and how to ensure the students get the best classroom experience. I have also since been in a high school classroom as well as a middle school classroom for observation hours as well as teaching a few lessons to the students as well.

I would say that some of my strengths are time management, being that I must balance playing a college sport, while still going to all my classes and completing the work as well. On top of all of that I do also go in to get my required hours for my pre-student teaching obligations. Another strength I would say I have is patience. Being a tutor for the Read to Succeed program, which is a program for the students who are below grade level readers, I have learned that there will always be students who need extra help, or students who will not give their full attention and will try to be disruptive. And when this happens, you need to be patient with them and ensure they get your full efforts as a teacher, being that is what teachers are for.

I have a good amount of experience with students of all ages when it comes to teaching, whether that be in the classroom, or coaching for the little league back home. I have been in the classroom with students from elementary to middle school for my first 2 semesters, and I have been able to understand the different approaches that are needed when teaching younger students. The same goes for the little league baseball players who I have coached from ages 6-12, that not everyone is the same, so you need to be able to adapt to the students around you for them to succeed. If you have any questions regarding anything in this portfolio, please feel free to contact me at the information provided below.

Yours sincerely,

Tyler J. Litts