About
Being a bit of a perfectionist with myself, I am a tenacious coach. You may think I am too tough at times, but you will see that I am always on your side, and you will enjoy "winning" when you realize how much improvement you have made. Also, many of those I have taught or tutored marvel at my patience.
I enjoy helping people in general. But with teaching and tutoring, I get a very special feeling of fulfillment when I see that I have made a genuinely positive impact on a student. Plus tutoring poses the special challenge to figure out the best way for another person to learn something and develop new skills. I find adventure in finding the best track to take together.
Highlights
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nathan B.
Madina K.
KELLY L.
Besrat M.
Aneela
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For reading and writing, I start with some informal testing of reading comprehension and ability to write.
I follow that up with some quizzing on grammar.
Once I have a general sense of the student's level, the two of us talk in detail about what the student aims to learn and what skills he or she aims to improve.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have taught English as a Second Language at Truman Community College in Chicago.
At the university level, I taught anthropology, sociology, interdisciplinary social science, and American literature.
I taught at the university level in Russia and Iraq as well as the United States.
I am also a freelance journalist.
I have won awards for my Masters Thesis.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
At this time, that is open to negotiation.
How did you get started teaching?
I first taught when I was in high school. It was well-known that I was the most advanced student in math class. Twice I got calls out of the blue from parents seeking math tutoring. I really enjoyed it. Then, after college, I took a job teaching GED math. I just always liked it and it was obvious to everybody.
What types of students have you worked with?
remedial math, college students at several universities, adult Southeast Asian refugees, elderly Assyrians (citizenship classes), college students in Russia and Iraqi Kurdistan.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have been engaged in some freelance journalism with the City Bureau's Documenters Program. After writing reports that my clients found surprisingly informative and interesting, one of them interviewed me and published snippets of the interview online. I felt something like a "poster boy" for the program.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for someone who is generally wise and knowledgeable, who can adapt to your unique situation. Don't by lured by someone who seems like a very competent expert, but who is too specialized and does not show enough flexibility.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should think carefully especially about what skills they want to improve and why. It would be a good idea to jot down a list of those skills and, for each skill, exactly why you need it. You then should be ready to ask a prospective tutor how they propose to help you improve each of those skills.