Goldman History Tutoring
About
Brief bio: Chicago North Shore guy - Glencoe to be exact. New Trier High School, '74. U. of Illinois undergraduate and Master's degree. Two adult children. My wife and I have always made our home in Evanston. Adult career: built, owned and operated a commercial transportation company for 30 years. Retired from the commercial world now
I am not going to lie, and claim that I was an actual history teacher during my adult life. However, a few points:
1. I majored in history in college, for the obvious reason that I just loved it.
2. I enjoy teaching so much that I have been giving free, three-month long history courses at local nursing homes as a volunteer for the past two years. I'll never know what it is, but it truly floats my boat to lead others down the path of knowing and understanding the past. I do get fairly animated, so as to remove the "this stuff sure is dry" reaction by my audience. My senior citizen students applaud me at the end of my presentations. I get terribly embarrassed, and wish they wouldn't, as the pleasure is all mine. That is why I'm glad to do it for free. They claim that it is my enthusiasm and occasional but appropriate sense of humor that makes the subject come alive to them. One of them once asked if I were a retired Ph.D. history professor, because she thought I knew so much. I could only chuckle, and assured her that my knowledge was absolutely nothing compared to that of a Ph.D.
3. In my adult life hobbies, I have been a washout when it comes to playing adult sports (tennis, golf, and the like), the outdoors, the performing arts, what have you. Reading, pretty much, has been my hobby. Like so many of us, I enjoy reading on a variety of topics. However, history has easily been my number one. I truly have continued expanding my horizons in my undergraduate major during my adulthood, with great, great satisfaction.
Areas of knowledge:
1) 20th century American
2) 20th century European (strong focus on WWI and WWII)
3) 18th - 19th century European (the rise of modern Europe)
4) Ancient Rome: both the Republic (pre 44 b.c.) and the Empire (44 b.c. - 476 a.d.)
5) 20th century China: (1911-2000 – WWII, The rise of Mao, and communism)
While I did not enter the noble profession of teaching, as I felt it would not provide me with the financial rewards I was seeking as a father, I love doing it. I taught English as a second language to Chinese people when I lived in Taiwan (Asia). I found it enormously rewarding to see my students' improve, and to see the looks on their faces when they realized that they had moved up a notch or more in their English speaking skills. As a volunteer lecturer in a three month long course in 20th century American and European history that I give to the residents of area nursing homes, I love not only seeing them attain a better grasp of the subject that was taught to them in high school, but I love learning myself. I ask them questions about their parents' and grandparents involvement in or connection to World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II. Virtually all attendees heard things about these pivotal events around the dinner table while growing up. When professional historians get such information, it is known as "Oral History." Such input is every bit as informative as a scholarly book from a library, to the lover of historical enquiry.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Firstly, ask the student his or her age. Secondly, ask for his or her top 3 results sought via using me. Thirdly, ask what specifically is going on in his/her life that is causing them to need such tutoring. Once I have a grasp of the situation, I'd give introductory input. However, having spent 30 years in sales to businesses, the last thing I will do is launch willy-nilly into some subject, without having a good grasp of the situation, and the needs, of my student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
1. I majored in history in college, for the obvious reason that I just loved it.
2. I enjoy teaching so much that I have been giving free, three-month long history courses at local nursing homes as a volunteer for the past two years. I'll never know what it is, but it truly floats my boat to lead others down the path of knowing and understanding the past. I do get fairly animated, so as to remove the "this stuff sure is dry" reaction by my audience. My senior citizen students applaud me at the end of my presentations. I get terribly embarrassed, and wish they wouldn't, as the pleasure is all mine. That is why I'm glad to do it for free. They claim that it is my enthusiasm and occasional but appropriate sense of humor that makes the subject come alive to them. One of them once asked if I were a retired Ph.D. history professor, because she thought I knew so much. I could only chuckle, and assured her that my knowledge was absolutely nothing compared to that of a Ph.D.
3. In my adult life hobbies, I have been a washout when it comes to playing adult sports (tennis, golf, and the like), the outdoors, the performing arts, what have you. Reading, pretty much, has been my hobby. Like so many of us, I enjoy reading on a variety of topics. However, history has easily been my number one. I truly have continued expanding my horizons in my undergraduate major during my adulthood, with great, great satisfaction.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
1. I majored in history in college, for the obvious reason that I just loved it.
2. I enjoy teaching so much that I have been giving free, three-month long history courses at local nursing homes as a volunteer for the past two years. I'll never know what it is, but it truly floats my boat to lead others down the path of knowing and understanding the past. I do get fairly animated, so as to remove the "this stuff sure is dry" reaction by my audience. My senior citizen students applaud me at the end of my presentations. I get terribly embarrassed, and wish they wouldn't, as the pleasure is all mine. That is why I'm glad to do it for free. They claim that it is my enthusiasm and occasional but appropriate sense of humor that makes the subject come alive to them. One of them once asked if I were a retired Ph.D. history professor, because she thought I knew so much. I could only chuckle, and assured her that my knowledge was absolutely nothing compared to that of a Ph.D.
3. In my adult life hobbies, I have been a washout when it comes to playing adult sports (tennis, golf, and the like), the outdoors, the performing arts, what have you. Reading, pretty much, has been my hobby. Like so many of us, I enjoy reading on a variety of topics. However, history has easily been my number one. I truly have continued expanding my horizons in my undergraduate major during my adulthood, with great, great satisfaction.
How did you get started teaching?
I taught English as a second language for three years in China, when I was in my twenties. Now that I am retired from the business world, I am a volunteer at area nursing homes. At several of them, I have given a three month course on twentieth history European and American history. I love doing so!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with ages between teens and the elderly.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A Bob Dylan concert.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
1. Think of a few quick but very tough questions in the subject at hand. This should show you if the tutor is competent enough.
2. You must be comfortable with the tutor's speaking style and overall personality. Talk at some length, at least over Zoom if you cannot do so in person. If you are not comfortable with this person, not only will the sessions be unpleasant, but you'll learn way less. Apply the "airplane" test: Would I want to sit next to this person for and hour and a half and have a conversation with him or her? If not, RUN!