Murphy Tutoring Services
About
Hello. I’m Emmett Murphy, but my students usually call me Dr. M. During my 30-year teaching career I’ve had the opportunity to teach and counsel at virtually every level, from elementary through secondary, college, graduate and professional levels. I'm also a NY Times Bestselling Author and love every phase of teaching others how to read, write and speak English, including public speaking, writing fiction or professional reports.
I enjoy: helping a young elementary student grasp the ins and outs of reading through both phonic and whole language methods; assisting a high school student grasp the strategy and techniques required to master the AP Advanced Writing Exam; guiding a collegiate or graduate student through the conceptual hurdles of a thesis or dissertation; and, helping a new arrival to America navigate the unique paths of English communication.
While I’ve enjoyed teaching in many settings I, like my students, have most enjoyed one-on-one tutoring where I have the opportunity to develop a true partnership in learning. With this in mind, I design exercises and follow-on assignments that are tailored to individual needs and levels of mastery.
I also provide preparation for college admission essays, interviews and public speaking. As a father and grandfather, as well as a professional, I have enjoyed working with students with various learning challenges, life-styles and aspirations.
I hold undergraduate degrees in English, Psychology and Music as well as a Master's and PhD degrees and post- doctoral work in Counseling and Organizational Psychology. I've taught at the elementary, high school and collegiate and graduate levels and received the State University of New York's Chancellor’s Award for teaching and research excellence. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss your tutoring needs and interests. I live in the 20815 area and my phone is 716.799.5057. You can also look me up on LinkedIn.
I especially enjoy learning the unique and diverse ways in which each of us thinks and seeks to express our hopes, opinions and plans. I've been fortunate to be able share learning experiences with a wonderfully stimulating range of students, from very young and vibrant elementary students to highly motivated high schoolers eager to succeed at the next level, to undergraduate, graduate and working students moving forward assertively to professional levels as well as new arrivals to American society navigating their way to success.
I have made great and lasting friendships through tutoring with both students and their families. This is a big and complex society and I find great satisfaction in helping others to find their own unique path to success.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to speak with parents of young children first and then, if it's convenient, to say 'hello' to the student so that he or she at least has a 'voice' to identify. In high school, I like to speak first with the party initiating the tutor relationship, either parent or student. That is usually the parent. Regardless, I do like to chat briefly with both to break-the-ice. At the college and professional levels I need to speak directly to the student/client.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
As my bio indicates, I have intensive training in the subject matter as well as very extensive teaching experience. However, I think it's very important for parents and students to feel comfortable raising any questions and concerns they have with me as soon as they come to mind. The great benefit of tutoring is the ability to key into an individual student's needs and tackle the particulars of the challenges he or she faces. That, in fact, is what makes tutoring so rewarding for both the tutor and the student. Please. Feel free to ask me anything at any time.
How did you get started teaching?
I started tutoring my classmates in high school and carried that over into college. One thing led to another and teaching of one sort or another became my personal and professional life path.
What types of students have you worked with?
Quite literally, I've worked with all age levels and, perhaps more importantly, students with a very wide range of needs. I believe that that experience has increased by empathy for others as well as my ability to adapt to individual needs.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I began a tutoring session with a high school senior which was interrupted by his very precocious five year old sister. Rather than say "beat it, kid," my student invited his sister to join us and observe, which she did. At the end of the session, my student invited his sister to summarize what she had observed which she did by noting that: "you played teacher to Dr. Murphy and showed him how to put sentences together...he seems to get it."
That about says what tutoring is all about.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Broaden your horizons and search for someone who can give you more than just the bare bones but a concept or two to hold onto. Just as a Google advises us to use a "rich search term," learning the concept behind the facts and techniques you are learning will give you greater recall and understanding. Get the most for your investment of time and money by selecting tutors who are capable of deliverying the conceptual as well as factual goods...and this goes for the little guys too.