Melanin Ink

At the first meeting, I like to find out about the student I am working with. I will ask about their favorite subjects, their strengths, their areas that need improvement, their hobbies, and their dislikes. I give students information about me, related to my experience as a tutor, and answer any questions they may have.

After our initial introductions, I find out what areas the student needs help with in their studies, and find out what techniques they already know and use that work for them. Assessing student strengths helps put positive learning experience into action while identifying any difficulties they may be having. I will then provide structured instruction, detailed explanations, and examples of how to do the work, along with targeted study practice assignments that support their ability to master the challenging exercises. 

The process is relaxed and non-confrontational, allowing the student to feel comfortable with not knowing something, and develop an understanding that it is normal (and sometimes helpful) to make mistakes when learning something new. Through repetition, this approach allows students to build confidence in their ability to overcome obstacles, and learn new skills.

I hold an M.Ed. in Education and Entrepreneurship from the Special Studies Program of Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. in Entrepreneurship from the Center for the Adult Learner of Lesley University. I have over 25 years of hands-on professional teaching, and teacher training experience, serving students of all ages and from all walks of life.

I generally offer my services at a rate of $50/hour.  Hourly rates are negotiable for special circumstances.

I started caring for children as a pre-teenager working during the weekends and summertimes as a mother's helper, a babysitter, and a nanny. In my later teen years, I got a position working in an afterschool program and then a preschool. For many years I worked in private, community, and public school programs, and have held positions as a self-employed instructor, tutor, and professional development coach teaching various academic subjects, visual and performing arts, and wogrkshops in entrepreneurship.

I have worked with students of all developmental stages (from infants to senior citizens), and from all different kinds of socioeconomic, cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, spiritual, and political backgrounds. I am familiar, and comfortable, working with students of various cognitive and social-emotional ability levels (learners with different challenges and those with advanced learning needs).

I have enjoyed learning to use media and technology to produce educational materials and resource information  that supports distance and on-line learning opportunities for educators, traditional and alternative learners, homeschoolers, and their families.

My advice to students looking for help from a teacher like me is that developing a lifelong love of learning is a great investment in your self and your future, and 'where there is a will, there is a way'. Contact me, I am here to help.

Have you been paying attention to, taking notes, and asking questions during instruction provided by teachers in classes and tutoring sessions?

Do you have notes or examples in your class work, notebooks, and homework sheets that can help you? 

Do you have access to friends, family members, and/or online samples and tutorials that can help you?

Do you have specific questions about your assignments that you need help with?