SONNY MARION TUTORING

I generally bring three samples of writing I would like the child to read to get a sense of his or her reading skill before lessons take place:

A poem

A non-fiction article

The first chapter to a story

I make an assessment of the child's strengths and weaknesses, and create a specific study plan for helping shore up weaknesses.  I also praise the student and make sure to include some time during the lesson in which the young reader can read or report on a topic he or she demonstrates enthusiasm for. 

I give the student HW to be completed before our next meeting together. 

I completed grad school in journalism where I took classes on reporting, creative non-fiction, radio and tv writing. My education included internships with the PBS affiliate WNET in New York.  I've worked in three tv newsrooms since completing my education. 

At Oberlin College where I completed my undergraduate education,  I passed courses in Expository Writing, Creative Writing, and read the Greek Classics including Homer's Illiad and the Odyssey.

Please contact me for individual pricing on 1 hour and a half, 1 hour, and 45 minute private tutoring. 

I have always tutored and volunteered.  My most recent volunteer work was with Baltimore's Reading Partners where I was a tutor for 2 years at Furman L. Templeton Elementary School in Baltimore City in 2015 and 2016.

My students are typically young readers between third grade and eighth grade.  I am open to working with older readers who are preparing for reading comprehension portions of the SAT and the GRE.

I am currently writing creative non-fiction of my experiences learning how to dance alongside the world's best choreographers.  These are personal essays which chronicle my life-long exploration of the dancing body. 

Work with a teacher who does not shame the student or the student's current reading ability. Every seasoned reader once began as a beginner himself or herself.  A life-long love of reading cannot be fostered if there are overly negative experiences encountered.

Look for a teacher who is enthusiastic and generous with her praise.  Seek a teacher who your child naturally gravitates towards, someone he or she feels comfortable around.  Hire a teacher who can command your child's respect and attention without using punitive measures.