About
After decades of teaching English, I have learned to create individual lessons that fit the needs of each unique student. Instead of using a set curriculum, I design lessons for each particular student and become a personal coach. If your child does not know how to begin writing, my classes will change that forever.
Because of my encouragement and patience, students gain confidence in their skills. When I see the spark in their eyes, I know I have done my job.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
60 minutes - $85
30 minutes - $55
60 minutes $40 students who qualify as 1 year behind gradeHow did you get started teaching?
I began teaching primary grades at a private school, and after a few years, I was asked to teach English to the older students. During that time, I tutored students in grades 4-12 who needed extra help in reading, writing, or grammar. In addition, I taught essay writing classes to high school students. Eventually, I started my own private school with grades K-12. After 19 years of teaching, I am now tutoring online.
What types of students have you worked with?
My experiences in teaching cover a broad spectrum of students. Working with students from seven-year-olds to seventy-year-olds, I have taught phonics, reading comprehension, grammar, writing, and speech.
Some of my students are struggling to work at grade level and are taking lessons to improve their communication skills. In contrast, many of my students are advanced in English skills and are taking lessons to give them a competitive edge to enter major universities.
In addition to teaching English to native English speakers, teaching ESL to students from foreign countries has been very rewarding. I even taught a high school girl who had moved from China mid-semester with no ability to speak English. After six months of weekly classes, she could communicate with teachers and classmates very well.
One of my younger students, a seven-year-old from Nigeria, was in a special education class three years ago and could not read one word. After six months of lessons, he could read at the second-grade level. Currently, he is learning to write and is working at the fifth-grade level. Most importantly, he has been moved from special education classes to regular classes in every subject.
A girl from a Vietnamese family was learning to write, but when I discovered that she was entering a spelling bee, I tutored her on spelling as well. She won the county spelling bee for eighth-graders after I shared some study tips with her.
Among other ethnic backgrounds, I have tutored students from Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Ukranian, Russian, Nigerian, Central Amerivan, Mexican, Indian, and Arab backgrounds. I have taught homeschoolers, primary students, middle schoolers, high schoolers, college, and post-grad students. Many adults in the workforce and adults returning to school have benefitted from my Language Arts lessons.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Recently, a young high school girl contacted me for essay writing lessons. When she was given a prompt to write about, she would just stare at the paper for days. She absolutely froze. Five lessons later, she was able to write a well-organized essay without any help. After the third tutoring session, she was beaming with joy. She has improved so much that she is now learning how to score well on the SAT exam.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Language Arts is a very wide field. Be sure that the tutor you choose excels in the particular area that is your weakness.
If possible, speak to the teacher personally to see if you feel you can work together. The tutor should be an encourager more than a critic. Your skill level will increase in direct proportion to your confidence in developing that skill. A great tutor will build your skills and your confidence at the same time.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should try to identify specifically what their most urgent educational need is. Instead of saying, "I need to learn to write essays", a student should say, "I do not know how to start an essay", or "My spelling and grammar need to improve." Ask the tutor what the teaching process to address your needs would include.
In addition, ask if the lessons will be a majority of lectures, exercises, or reading assignments? Does the teacher use a lesson book designed for mass education, or will lessons be individualized to meet your specific need and unique learning style? During the lesson, will there be time for the student to express individual concerns and ask questions?
Finally, will the student be allowed to contact the teacher between lessons for clarity, information, and explanation? If a student needs something clarified about homework and cannot reach the tutor, advancement is impeded.