My goal is for each student to find success by addressing their individual challenges and discovering their personal strengths. I help them understand the importance of augmenting executive functioning and developing lifelong organizational and study skills that will serve them now and in the future.
Susan Keller
B.A.
Learning Strategies & Special Education Teacher
Credentials
Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, Valdosta State University
Utah Certified Teacher-Professional License, with Special Education Endorsement
Licensed in K-12+ Special Education with Endorsements in Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Professional
Susan has been with Gateway since 2013. She worked in the Social Services for 20 years, but when given the opportunity to teach, she knew she had found her passion. She has over 10 years of experience in education as a tutor, paraprofessional, and a substitute teacher and in 2016 was accepted into the State of Utah Alternative Route to Licensure for Special Education, which she completed in 2020.
Philosophy
Susan believes it is important to instill a love of learning in every young person. By developing a relationship with her students, she helps build the trust they need to face academic challenges and develop self-confidence. Susan wants every student to leave her classroom with an expanded range of knowledge and critical thinking skills that will serve them the rest of their lives. Her great sense of humor helps students feel comfortable, inspires lively discussions, and shows that learning can also be fun. In the end, her goal is for her students to go out into the world more equipped to take on the challenges they will face as adults.
Personal
Susan is originally from Georgia, but has lived all over the United States. She came to Utah in 2005 and fell in love with the state. She enjoys the outdoors--running, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, camping, and gardening, but also likes to read, cook, and bake. Susan says she is a music fanatic and loves to attend concerts. She enjoys spending time with her four children. She and her daughter share an interest in art and computer animation.
Creating Student Success
“Math phobia” is so common in high school students. Susan insists that she will never allow a student to believe they “cannot do it.” With one particular student, she set a goal to help him build the skills and the confidence to do math by showing him that practice is the key. It was thrilling to help him to succeed in math and to see the joy in his face when he would tackle and successfully complete a difficult math problem. Susan always wants to instill in her students the knowledge that with the right skills and practice, they can become confident in their capabilities.