Mr. Evans Tutor

After introductions, I patiently listen to clarify the student's goals. Then I assess their abilities and what is needed going forward. Then I respond with an introductory lesson to demonstrate some direct solutions. At the end of the session, I offer an organized plan to achieve success. 

During subsequent sessions, I plan lessons according to the student's needs, balancing structured lessons with answering the questions that come up along the way. A primary feature of my tutoring is that I center it on each student's unique learning styles, characteristics, and goals, observing and adjusting my approach as needed. 

Generally, I teach one-on-one during scheduled weekly sessions. However, I also have flexible students who contact me as needed, such as when they have difficulty completing a speech or writing project for English or History. 

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Writing from Houghton University as well as a master's degree from Fuller Graduate School. I've been a writer, editor, and tutor all of my life. My experience began as a middle school newspaper journalist and continued into my college senior year as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. 

Twenty-five years ago, I had my first experience as a conversational ESL tutor overseas. Then I continued editing college admissions essays as well as university and graduate school essays, theses, and dissertations.

In 2003, I became a full-time writing and test preparation tutor in both classroom and private tutoring settings. Since then, I have educated hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to study at the most prestigious universities.

$40 per hour for most standard online sessions.

$50 per hour for in-person sessions, advanced writing, or test prep online lessons.

Tuition is remitted by cash, check, or Venmo, either prepaid or at the time of service. 

Writing and teaching are my nature; tutoring is part of my calling. During college in 1993, I offered an oral interpretation (storytelling) at a local school during a reading day. Then I hosted a three-day program for young creative writers. The following year, I began teaching conversational English at camps and community events, and I offered an adult writing seminar at the Mental Health Association. After graduation, I was trained as an adult literacy advocate. Teaching opportunities continued to present themselves. In 2001, I began teaching groups of students at an afterschool tutoring company while earning a master's degree. During that time, I also provided college-level seminars in writing, journalism, and the arts, as well as a one-credit college course in film narratives. I've found the work rewarding and haven't stopped tutoring and editing since.

I provide a variety of professional English language services for students of all ages and levels. While the majority of my students are between fifth and eleventh grade, I have tutored hundreds, ranging from first grade to adult language learners and even a seventy-seven-year-old grandmother. Almost one-third of my students are second-language English learners. They and their families have come from many countries like Russia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Korea, France, Germany, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Mexico, and Peru. Every year, I help several students write admissions essays, and many of my students have gone on to graduate from prestigious universities such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Princeton, New York University, Dartmouth, and the University of Chicago. Over the years, I have also worked with countless college and graduate school students to develop and edit their papers and dissertations. In the “photos” section of my profile, I have included past student reviews for reference. 

Most of my students know I'm a baseball fan. I recently went to a major league baseball game with a friend and his son. The Yankees, my favorite team, won! It was my first big public event since the pandemic began. What a great time! 

Also, I take part in fiction writing contests several times per year. After I enter each story, I submit it to a community of other writers for feedback. Through these events, I continue to learn as a writing teacher. 

I suggest that you look for a writing and grammar tutor who understands your challenges and offers tangible and organized ways to overcome them without judgment. Don't settle for a tutor who just provides worksheets without a goal and a plan to achieve it. 

For example, for English standardized test preparation (ACT, ISEE, SAT, AP), avoid a tutor who only offers practice tests and says "read more and study this vocabulary list." Taking several practice tests will not necessarily improve your achievement. You may also need an experienced tutor who offers time-tested strategies to address your personal needs, a tutor who is motivated and help you achieve your goals.

What specifically led to my seeking a tutor? (Was it a grade issue? Was it difficult to understand specific lessons in school? Did a teacher suggest tutoring?)

What are my specific goals to reach? (What do I hope will happen after completing my tutoring lessons?)

Consider discussing your thoughts about these reasons and goals with a potential tutor before your first lesson. Then ask the tutor to reflect these back to you in his or her own words. The goal is to make sure they listened and understand. Then ask the tutor to offer general and specific ways they can help. Listen closely: does this sound like what you are looking for?