John DeKams
Elementary ELA and Math Skill Development
New York, NY
Expertise
I have seven and a half years of experience in education, both classroom teaching and private tutoring. I currently hold a dual certification in Childhood Education Grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6. For the last four and a half years I have worked as a sixth grade special education teacher for the New York City Department of Education. Along with daily classroom duties, I have been a vital part of my school's test prep programs for both English Language Arts and Math exams.
Teaching Methods
I set aside ample time to get to know all of my students. It is vital for me to adapt my teaching style to each and every student. While getting to know the learning style of every student, I will start to develop a more specific curriculum attending to his or her educational needs. The structure of each of my curriculum will allow students to complete current homework assignments as well as provide extra time to work on specific English Language Arts skills. Students will be exposed to grade level skill work using appropriate pieces of literature to drive instruction. As far as teaching organizational skills, I enjoy using using helpful resources like Quizlet and Google Education Applications with my students.
Education
- MS from Long Island University-Brentwood Campus in Students with Disabilities 1-6 in 2011
- BS from SUNY New Paltz in Childhood Education 1-6 in 2008
Professional History
- 6th Grade Teacher at New York City Department of Education in New York, New York from 2011 - Present
- Teacher at East Islip School District in East Islip, New York from 2011 - 2011
- Teacher at Kings Park Central School District in Kings Park, New York from 2008 - 2011
About Me
I am originally from Kings Park, New York. While attending public school through high school, I became fond of the educators who left a lasting impact on my life as a student. It was those teachers who made me want to become the educator I am today. I attended SUNY New Paltz for my undergraduate degree in Childhood Education. Along with my studies, I was a member of the baseball team for all four years. After graduating with my undergraduate degree, I began my teaching career in September 2008. A few months later I started a masters program at Long Island University in Students with Disabilities 1-6 and graduated two years later. I am currently in my eighth year of teaching and my fifth year with the New York City Department of Education. Besides teaching, I enjoy any form of exercise, traveling, and spending time with my family.
References
(2)
Mayra A.
14:55 PM 09/Jan/15
Relationship: Friend
I'm the four years that I've known John he has exhibited professionalism with his colleagues and students. He develops nurturing relationship with his students which make students comfortable to seek guidance from him. Through his observations and assessments , he creates activities and assignments that engage and challenge students with various learning modalities. In science activities he incorporates manipulatives, articles, charts and media as varying entry points for students to access the material being taught.
John is also reflective in his practice and makes adjustments to assure that he reaches most if not all of his students.
Allison F.
13:00 PM 04/Aug/14
Relationship: Friend
John DeKams and I work together as co-teachers in an Integrated Co-Teaching classroom in East Harlem, New York. John is a motivated, dedicated and thorough educator. John ensures that his students receive the best possible education, incorporating student's specific learning styles into tailored instruction. Over the past three years, John and I have co-taught in an inclusion program for students with Aspergers. I have witnessed John tirelessly revamp the curriculum each year, and each unit, to meet the students where they are and help them acquire and improve upon skills necessary for academic success. John has created educational and social action plans to help individual students feel successful in whatever task they undertake. The students respect John's steady and calm demeanor, and feel confident that if they are struggling to grasp a concept, John will adapt the lesson in a way that they can then understand both the content and strategy. John has depth of knowledge in a variety of academic areas, which has allowed him to incorporate literacy and math into our Science instruction. This has given the students we work with a sense of continuity and generalization, that academic subjects are not learned in isolation but are all connected and that strategies build upon one another. John is compassionate yet direct when working with students and utilizes various instructional methods when working one on one with students, as well as in small group instruction. John is an extraordinarily effective educator and brings a positive and energetic attitude to every task he undertakes.
Mayra A.
14:55 PM 09/Jan/15
Relationship: Friend
I'm the four years that I've known John he has exhibited professionalism with his colleagues and students. He develops nurturing relationship with his students which make students comfortable to seek guidance from him. Through his observations and assessments , he creates activities and assignments that engage and challenge students with various learning modalities. In science activities he incorporates manipulatives, articles, charts and media as varying entry points for students to access the material being taught. John is also reflective in his practice and makes adjustments to assure that he reaches most if not all of his students.
Allison F.
13:00 PM 04/Aug/14
Relationship: Friend
John DeKams and I work together as co-teachers in an Integrated Co-Teaching classroom in East Harlem, New York. John is a motivated, dedicated and thorough educator. John ensures that his students receive the best possible education, incorporating student's specific learning styles into tailored instruction. Over the past three years, John and I have co-taught in an inclusion program for students with Aspergers. I have witnessed John tirelessly revamp the curriculum each year, and each unit, to meet the students where they are and help them acquire and improve upon skills necessary for academic success. John has created educational and social action plans to help individual students feel successful in whatever task they undertake. The students respect John's steady and calm demeanor, and feel confident that if they are struggling to grasp a concept, John will adapt the lesson in a way that they can then understand both the content and strategy. John has depth of knowledge in a variety of academic areas, which has allowed him to incorporate literacy and math into our Science instruction. This has given the students we work with a sense of continuity and generalization, that academic subjects are not learned in isolation but are all connected and that strategies build upon one another. John is compassionate yet direct when working with students and utilizes various instructional methods when working one on one with students, as well as in small group instruction. John is an extraordinarily effective educator and brings a positive and energetic attitude to every task he undertakes.