--- title: | Fran de la Torre-Shu description: Fran de la Torre-Shu is an Upper School Learning Support Specialist at Westtown School. Previously, she served as the Learning Support Specialist at the Academy of Notre Dame for grades 6-12 where she also coached swimming. Her teaching career began as a Special Education Teacher in Philadelphia public charter schools, but she holds Pennsylvania certification as a Reading Specialist, Special Educator, English Language Arts 6-9, and Math 6-9. She earned her BA in Classical Studies and MSEd in Language and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania. She also earned a MSEd in Special Education from Saint Joseph's University and is currently working towards a certification in English as a Second Language. Post-secondary transition planning is also an area of interest. --- [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2454828850-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_graphic.png?width=68&height=68&name=logo_graphic.png)](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2451508821-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_text.png) Spirited Quaker education since 1799](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) # A Well-Lit Path: A Blog from Westtown School ## Fran de la Torre-Shu Fran de la Torre-Shu is an Upper School Learning Support Specialist at Westtown School. Previously, she served as the Learning Support Specialist at the Academy of Notre Dame for grades 6-12 where she also coached swimming. Her teaching career began as a Special Education Teacher in Philadelphia public charter schools, but she holds Pennsylvania certification as a Reading Specialist, Special Educator, English Language Arts 6-9, and Math 6-9. She earned her BA in Classical Studies and MSEd in Language and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania. She also earned a MSEd in Special Education from Saint Joseph's University and is currently working towards a certification in English as a Second Language. Post-secondary transition planning is also an area of interest. ### Recent Posts ## [Parenting in the New Classroom](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-new-classroom) Posted by [Fran de la Torre-Shu](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/fran-de-la-torre-shun) on January 14, 2021 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/blog%20Jan.jpg)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-new-classroom) One year ago, teachers were in classrooms and parents were not. Now, with virtual or hybrid learning, parents and caregivers are participating in a much more material way with students’ education. The classroom is now the dining room, the bedroom, or some other space at home. This unexpected blending of roles is not simple to navigate. Considering the circumstances of this school year and the reason for all of the adjustments we are making, it may be helpful to have a bank of ways to respond to things that are happening at home from a [learning specialist’s perspective](https://www.westtown.edu/westtown-distance-learning/student-support). Here are some common situations that you might encounter. If your student is struggling with an assignment or task: | Instead of: | Try: | | --- | --- | | Did you read the directions? | Can you explain the assignment to me? | | Keep trying/keep working on it. | Take a break and work on something else. You can go back to it later. | | Why didn’t you ask your teacher for help? | Is there a teacher who has office hours now who can help?  OR Can you rewatch the class recording where the teacher explains it? | When a student is experiencing difficulty, we want to do whatever we can to foster their endurance for hard work and their desire to persist, and to empower them to seek a productive path. Asking the student to explain the assignment forces them to engage in the learning cycle by using metacognition to teach another person about the task. This exercise either helps the student to plan the next step or demonstrates a need to revisit prior learning or materials. [Read More](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-new-classroom) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/the-new-classroom#comments-listing) Topics: [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens), [Communication and Children](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children) [All posts](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Inspiring the Best in Kids (46)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) - [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens (29)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens) - [Help with learning (19)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/help-with-learning) - [Communication and Children (18)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children) - [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers (7)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) - [sustainability (4)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Building Self-Esteem in Teens (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/building-self-esteem-in-teens) - [How to get your teen to talk (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-get-your-teen-to-talk) - [How to Pick the Best Independent School in Philly (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-pick-the-best-independent-school-in-philly) - [How to manage the mood swings (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-manage-the-mood-swings) - [Student Life at Westtown (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/student-life-at-westtown) - [Westtown Picks (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/westtown-picks) - [Summer Camps (1)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/summer-camps) see all 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - - [powered by finalsite](http://www.finalsite.com/)