Virtual & In-Person Sessions Seattle
Welcome to The Kinder Year
I am so glad you are here! This educational platform is dedicated to providing children and parents with the tools and resources needed to create a personalized learning experience. My mission is to empower learners to take control of their education by designing a path that works best for them. I believe that every student deserves a quality education and I am committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Unique Options For Each Unique Child
Design the educational experience that works best for your child.
Workshops
-Small group setting (capped at 6 children)
-Socialization and collaboration skills
-Community Building
-Homeschool support
-Individualized learning
-Regular schedule / Structured Routines
-Quarterly enrollment
-Flex options available for reading, writing, phonics, and math
-Virtual or in person
1:1 Tutoring
-Virtual or in person
-One-on-one instruction
-Personalized instructional design
-Flexible scheduling
-Academic, physical fitness education (in person), and Social Emotional Regulation sessions available
-Additional support for the home school or traditional school programs
Educational Consult
If you are a parent who would like to teach your child at home, I can coach and empower you to realize that mission.
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-Yearlong mapping
-Child development
-Educational Resources
-Assessment types and designs
-Feedback on current curriculum/management/structures (Instructional Coaching)
-Support with specific learning needs for exceptional learners
-Utilizing data to support instructional strategies and next steps
-Styles of teaching: Inquiry Based Learning / Explicit Instruction
-Differentiation
-Social Emotional Learning
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Available for virtual consults today!
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How it works
Who is a good fit?
A Holistic Approach
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For one-on-one tutoring, I welcome all parents of learners K-6 to connect with me to see how we can work together to meet your child's needs.
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Parents who are teaching from home can reach out for a consult as well.
Where are we located?
The Kinder Year is based in Seattle, Washington. Tutoring can be conducted in person or online. Virtual tutoring can be conducted for students anywhere in the world.
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When
The Kinder Year is currently accepting virtual tutoring sessions. If you would like to sign up for an introductory meet and greet, the first consultation is free. Tutoring sessions have options for 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
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Workshops and group sessions will be held upon request.
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Academic Subjects:
I can support your child to learn the core subject areas: math, reading, phonics, writing, science, and social studies.
Health and Physical Fitness Education:
I am a trained yoga teacher, tennis coach, and have coached cross country with high schoolers for the past 3 years. I am also passionate about olympic weightlifting. If your child has an interest in any of these areas, I can work with them on these skills. I love learning about nutrition as well and would be able to design lessons for this topic upon request.
Social Emotional Learning:
I am trained in using regulation tools such as The Zones of Regulation as well as management strategies to support impulse control and emotional regulation. Furthermore, my approach to education is based on building strong relationships with each child to ensure a positive learning experience. Relationship skills are important for development and that is a foundational element in my teaching philosophy.
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My Story
Amanda McCracken
About the Founder
Hi! My name is Amanda. I grew up in Michigan, but after graduating from college in Indiana, I decided to explore the world. I started by teaching second grade in Hawaii for 6 years. Then, I wanted to fulfill a dream to live in Colorado. There, I taught kindergarten for 2 years and first dabbled in tutoring. I had many students who were from countries all over the world and they inspired me to teach in an international setting abroad. It landed me in Singapore where I was a classroom teacher in IB schools for 4 years teaching first grade at GEMS World Academy and EtonHouse and then second grade at Singapore American School for another 3 years. Teaching abroad allowed me to travel to places I had only dreamed of, meet people from different walks of life, and enhance my teaching skills. It was a fulfilling learning journey. After teaching through the Covid pandemic, I realized that school can be anywhere and whatever we choose it to be. I decided to explore how I can support children to learn outside the traditional setting- thus, The Kinder Year was born.
Experience and Education
15 years classroom teaching experience
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8 years in the US, 7 years Internationally
-2 years Kindergarten (CO)
-4 years First Grade (SG)
-9 years Second Grade (HI + SG)
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BA in Elementary Education (K-6)
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2009 - Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
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Minor in Early Childhood Education
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2009 - Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
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MA in Educational Leadership
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2023 - University of Northern Iowa
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Teaching License State Certification
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Current: Hawaii
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Previous: Indiana and Colorado
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Additional Certificates
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Supporting Children with Difficulties in Reading and Writing
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2018 - University of London​
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Making the PYP Happen (IB curriculum training)
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2017 - IB Global ​
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Exceptional Learners
All children have the right to a quality education. I have supported students working with a wide variety of abilities and have partnered with parents to support their child with school IEPs, child psychologist plans, and occupational therapists. Some exceptional learners I have taught are working with dyslexia, autism, selective mutism, ADHD, are multi language learners, or are twice exceptional.
SLV, Former Student, Grade 2, HI
"You always listened and took time away from everyone else to talk one on one."
LH, Former Student,
Grade 2, HI
"I love how kind you were. You were always patient with me and it made me feel seen and heard."
MB, Former Student,
Grade 2, HI
"You always treated me and the rest of our class as we were one of your kids. It made us feel safe and we were ready to learn new things."
"It’s wonderful to still have a connection with you. You’re still positive and encouraging to my kids so many years (15) after you have been their teacher. Your powerlifting is also an inspiration to Z*** who is also pursuing that as well. We have followed you and your teaching career throughout your time as a teacher on social media and we are proud of your accomplishments. Anybody would be lucky to have you as a teacher."
L.V. / 2x parent / 2nd Grade / HI
