"Writing Doesn't Have To Be Scary"
About
I've scored writing tests for ACT, SAT, and the Iowa Test of Written Expression, so I know exactly what criteria teachers and testing specialists are using to evaluate the work of my students.
(I'm also an award-winning professional writer in a variety of genres, from arts features to environmental reporting, essays, reviews, non-fiction and humor. My work has been featured in print, online, and on national radio broadcasts.)
I especially like to help people who hate writing. It can be a really difficult and frustrating task, so helping students breathe easier about the process is really rewarding.
Getting to know each student as an individual is a privilege -- their interests, opinions, and the learning techniques that work best for them personally. Watching their fear melt away and seeing it replaced with relief and confidence -- it's everything.
Highlights
Photos and videos
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
• First, finding out some very basics -- grade level, what kind of writing they've done, what kind of writing tasks they're likely to be working on.
• Then -- exchange some personal info -- what are their interests, likes, dislikes, favorite and least favorite subjects, etc. Try to get a feel for how they feel about academics and writing in particular. Favorite teachers? Least favorite? Do they have any insights about how they learn best?
• Try to get a couple of writing samples to begin to evaluate needs
• After that, looking over near-term writing projects, and scheduling sessions to address issues as they come up.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
B.A., English/Writing, Oberlin College
M.F.A., Iowa Writers' Workshop, University of Iowa
• Test specialist: ACT, Pearson Measurement, Iowa Testing Programs
• Faculty and adjunct writing instructor: Columbia College Chicago, University of Iowa, Kirkwood Community College (Iowa), Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio), Oberlin College (teaching assistant)
• Radio journalist: Wisconsin Public Radio, Iowa Public Radio, Cleveland Public Radio, WMAQ-Chicago
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Hourly, negotiable.
How did you get started teaching?
I began as a peer tutor in high school. Everyone has a different way of learning, and I began to understand how to connect with fellow students to find out what works best for them.
From there, I was selected to be a teaching assistant in college, and later during graduate school was hired by the University of Iowa to tutor student athletes and monitor their academic progress.
What types of students have you worked with?
K-12, college-age, and adult learners.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find someone you can talk to easily, who's interested in *your* experiences, and what *you* have to say.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are the hardest parts about writing for you? Any teachers in particular who have helped? How? (What kind of teaching would you like to avoid?)
Do you have a feel for how you learn best?
Can you describe any past writing assignments that went particularly well, or were particularly tough?