My Background

My name is Valerie Opacic (formerly Griffiths). I am an enthusiastic and experienced teacher, having taught children across the whole primary age range for over 30 years. The Skipton Tuition Website was built and launched in 2011 to promote my private tuition services.

I have a son and daughter, both of whom won places at Ermysted's Grammar School and Skipton Girls' High School respectively, and I am very familiar with local mainstream education provision.
 

My Qualifications & Experience

I graduated from Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln in 1983 with a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd).  My main subjects of study were English, Art and Professional Studies. Since that time I have been employed in full time education in Primary Schools in several different counties (See my CV, and References).
 

My Philosophy & Ethos

I still hold true to much of what I learned in my training:

• the importance of a child centred approach
• to create a stimulating and creative environment so that learning is exciting and fun
• that children be treated and taught as individuals
• that children are given opportunities wherever possible to discover through first-hand experience.

I have worked alongside children with special needs, including gifted and talented children. As children need to feel secure in their learning environment, I always explain that good questioners make good learners and encourage them to ask for help whenever they need it. I am firm and fair with children, maintaining good discipline and therefore effective learning. I am an open, approachable person with ability to work with and relate to both adults and children of all ages. In all my years of teaching I feel I have displayed enthusiasm, integrity, loyalty and dependability. I also recognise that being flexible, spontaneous and having a good sense of humour all help in many situations (See my Testimonials).