About
I start with the end in mind and work with the student or athlete to do the same. Another word for this is setting a goal. A SMART goal. Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Time-bound. If you make a goal, write it down, say it out loud, I'm confident we can achieve it together.
I absolutely enjoy getting to know the students I work with and watch them grow throughout the time spent working together. If it is football or basketball, enjoy watching students learn fundamentals and how they actually make them more disciplined, and flat-out better athletes. If it is negotiation, I enjoy challenging the student and working through a book review together. And finally, anything else, Personal Finance, Computers, Microsoft products, etc., it's just fun to teach and learn.
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Linda R.
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Toni S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Start with the end in mind. I want to know what the student expects to gain from the experience he or she is signing up for on lessons.com. I am very patient and would rather understand what your goal is so I can tailor the experience you receive. It's how I help you accomplish your goal(s).
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Association of Government Accountants: Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) (2018)
American Society of Military Comptrollers: Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) Candidate
North Carolina State University (2015-2017) (sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard)
- MBA, Finance
- Master of Accounting
East Carolina University (2004-2006)
- B.S. Business Administration, Managerial Finance, 3.94/4.00 GPA
- Many professional readings
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
If virtual-based, it is easy. $50 per 60-min lesson. This is broken down as follows:
25 min lesson
+ 10 min break
+ 25 min lesson
= 60 mins
How did you get started teaching?
My first professional teaching experience was at Garner Magnet High School in Garner, NC. This was from Nov 2009 until Jul 2011. During this time, I was also the head J.V. Football coach of 50 9th and 10th graders. I taught the following courses, receiving honors for each class for "first in peer-group":
1. Personal Finance: This was the first personal finance course ever offered at GMHS. It was solely for 11th and 12th graders. During my second year, I taught this course twice per quarter.
2. Small Business / Entrepreneurship: First, you have to learn to spell the latter. It's all fun from there.
3. Principles of Business: The stape business course taught primarily to 9th through 11th-grade students.
4. Computer Applications I & II: The software and applications used in both courses were Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and HTML.
Before Nov 2009 I came from Fidelity Investments as a Retirement Investments Associate and Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor, and after Jul 2011, I went back on active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard until retiring as the CFO of the largest district (of nine) in Dec 2019.
During my time as an officer in the Coast Guard, I was a Senior Financial Specialist for the executive staff, coordinating hundreds of training sessions and providing training to thousands of military students in subjects such as individual or family budgeting, QuickBooks, debt or credit management, auto purchasing, PCS (company) relocation, tax assistance, personal finance, rent or purchase decisions, and more.
I founded Coastie Financial, LLC in 2018, a financial services firm committed to creating 30 remote-based jobs for military spouses by 2030.
What types of students have you worked with?
- Special education students (Garner Magnet High School)
- High School Students (9th through 12th grades) in subjects noted above.
- Military students raging in age predominantly from 18-55 years of age
- Elderly students (Lessons.com and Volunteer for IRS VITA Program, e-filing taxes for the elderly)
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
NC State Jenkins School of Business released an article in July 2020 titled "Commitment to Service - Dual Degree program", referring to the MBA-Finance and Master of Accounting I completed from 2015-2017, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard while on active duty.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure they have taken the time and effort to put a lot of information about themselves available, such as theses optional questions. I am very transparent, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Our company motto is to start with the end in mind. That will be the first question I ask you. So, start thinking about it.