About AlphaAbacus

Background

Rachel Phillips M.A. Education received a B.Ed. in Music and Education from Kingston University, England, and an M.A. in Literacy across the Content Areas from San Jose State University, California.

An educator for eighteen years, she has taught in public schools in her native England and in California. Rachel has enjoyed composing piano and vocal music for fun and has sung with the Monterey County Symphony Chorus. She considers contributing to the lives of children her life's work.

Her approach to education is somewhat unique: each student is tutored solely by her in a one-to-one session. This method allows her to a establish a stable and personalized learning environment. She provides all the materials that are needed for each session, with the exception of school textbooks, and students are encouraged to borrow books and learning resources from her lending library. Typically, when a student visits AlphaAbacus for the first time, he or she will take informal assessments in the subject(s) in which he/she is to be tutored and an informal learning styles assessment. Rachel Phillips will then design a learning program based upon his/her strengths, weaknesses, goals, and learning style(s).

She then teaches each student using teaching materials and methods for their learning style, and lessons cover only the skills and knowledge that the student requires. During each session, the student's progress is monitored, and the teaching is adapted to the child's immediate needs. When a student has mastered a concept, the next learning objective is introduced. Programs are available for students who would benefit from supplementary study to support their learning in school, enrichment, and for those who have a diagnosed area of educational need.