About
I have been a passionate reader and writer all my life. I am a published writer, I have edited online magazines for twenty years, and for three years I managed the Adult Literacy Program at the Echo Park branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. I specialize in working with adults on all levels of reading, writing, and interpretation, especially more advanced work. My philosophy is that each student deserves individualized attention based on their needs, skills, and personality. You will not be given canned lesson plans, though you will have to work.
If you need references, I have them. If you want to read some of my writing and literary criticism, please go to http://crowtreebooks.com
Reviews
Rensi
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I interview the student to learn what they seek from tutoring and to assess their speaking skills and get a feeling fo rtheir personality. It is important to determine what they need as well as what they want; these are not always the same. This interview will take up most of the first session. Then I will give homework. After reviewing the homework, I can usually devise a plan of action that will help the studnet reach their goal.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Lifelong reader of everything possbile.
English major in college.
Speak English, Spanish, and French and read in all three.
Published writer.
Twenty years experience editing.
Currently managing an Adult Literacy Program at a Los Angeles Public Library branch in Echo Park.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$60/hour (negotiable)
How did you get started teaching?
People who knew me and my writing asked me to tutor them. Eventually I was recruited to manage a local literacy program for the Los Angeles Public Library.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types: men and women from Iran, China, and Central America, as well as native-born US residents. I work only with grown-ups.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Beginning to teach one of my volunteer tutors from the program I manage. She is a Chinese national who speaks English very well but wished to improve her writing. We have been making great progress; her first assignment, an essay on a song by Jackson Browne and its commentary on US working-class culture, is in its fifth draft and is probably a marketable piece of writing.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don't be too desperate; meet with them first, even if it may cost money, and make sure you are comfortable with their personality. Try to figure out whether they will try to jam you into a one-size-fits-all lesson plan, or whether they will treat you as an individual.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What do they really want to achieve? Are they really willing and able to do homework, to sit down and write even when they don't have much free time? List your immediate and long-term goals before your first meeting; this will help the tutor determine what they can do for you.