Colleen Tretola, MSpEd

Colleen is a certified New York State General and Special Education teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a dual master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Hofstra University. She has experience working as a classroom teacher in a special education preschool as well as a private school, private tutor for all ages, and a home-based Special Education Itinerant Teacher for ages birth-five.

After a few years as a lead kindergarten teacher, Colleen understands the importance of a multi-sensory approach that is directed towards each child. It is important to remember that kids do not just learn academic skills from flash cards, reciting the alphabet, teaching to test, worksheets and more in the average day classroom. Rather than it is more beneficial and enjoyable for the child to learn through play, which is also demonstrated in long-term academic success.

Each child is different, which means not everyone will learn the same. Colleen will develop the most appropriate and individualized plan to help achieve the desired goal for your child. Colleen will make sure your child is prepared to enter the school setting, supported academically through the summer months, and acclimated in play to make sure the proper milestones have been met as your young one grows.

•  Kindergarten and School Preparation 

  Sessions to prepare your child to enter the school setting will be guided towards play. Play helps young children learn important skills like negotiation, collaboration, problem solving and fine motor skills. Through these sessions your child will also learn to write their name, letters and letter sounds, proper pencil grip and everyday tasks that your child will need to execute during the average school day. 

• Special Education Instruction

  As a Special Education Itinerant Teacher, Colleen will be able to assess and guide your child to reach the appropriate milestones. We will work on building the necessary skills, academically, socially, and behaviorally while adjusting the teaching to the individual needs of each child ages 0-5. 

• One-on-one Primary Tutoring (kindergarten-third)

  During the session for tutoring, we will work on skills and academics that are needed to be successful in the classroom. This is directed towards the learning goals of your child. If they are struggling in number recognition, decoding, handwriting, or phonics, I will be able to adjust teaching to specifically meet their learning needs.