Creative Writing Gamer Tutoring
About
Hello!
My name is Jesse Campen! I am a high school and college graduate, a published writer, and professional writer. I, along with my brother, have won multiple awards collectively and even have a Hollywood made short film with our name on it out there!
Oh, right... and I have been a gamer since 1989. Now why the heck would I go putting that on my profile? Does this really stand out as a qualification to tutor? Well, if you or your kid is a gamer themselves, then I think it is... here's why--
When I was growing up, I had many troubles as a student myself because of-- you guessed it-- my gaming habits. Not only that, but I have had Attention Deficit Disorder for my entire life. It certainly wasn't easy going through all of my schooling.
Herein lies my niche tutoring ability I feel I can bring to the table-- I can teach individuals how to learn while possibly tying it in to how it relates to their gaming life. When you grow up the way I did, I have always seen gaming as a part of my own identity. But it doesn't have to be hard to manage like it was for me. I can teach individuals how to better manage their time while learning, and even try and 'gamify' the learning process a little.
So, what do you think? Well I can tell you what I think-- I think I feel ready to help you in any way that I can. If I'm being honest with you, I don't have much personal experience with tutoring itself. I am in the process, however, of getting a tutoring certification. I've also had plenty of experience training/teaching others in my sales jobs in the past.
If you think I could be a possible fit to better your learning experiences, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at: [email protected] . I can't wait to hear from you!
Thank you,
Jesse Campen
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Firstly, I'd just like to know a little bit about who they are, where they are coming from and where they would like to go in life. I would trade my stories in return-- doing this builds a very sturdy foundation. Finding similar interests and talking about them only serves to strengthen the foundation we'll build on.
Secondly, I would get their point of view on their work they want/need to do. If they have a negative outlook, I will do my best to give reasons to turn it into a positive outlook.
Thirdly, we would go into the specifics-- what they are working on currently and the particular abilities they feel they need to improve. It is important to listen, so I try not to micromanage. It's better if they are working on whatever they need because they want it. I would give personal examples from my experiences as a student and writer, and try to get them feeling more confident in what they need to focus on.
Lastly, I would ask them to possibly keep a school work journal with no rules except for the fact that they need to use it. If the person doesn't like or want this, I would ask them at the very least to write down about whenever they had successes or had hard times with something whenever they can-- in a message to parents or friends or themselves, or any alternatives that make it feel like less of a chore. Ninety-five percent of succeeding at anything is forming great habits that a person wants to do; that's what will help the individual to improve the way they want.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My qualifications include:
High School Diploma.
Work at multiple colleges.
Professional creative writer.
BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment.
Two Course Directors Awards.
Experience training multiple employees.
Short film work.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For now since I have less experience at this, I am willing to come down on the regular price one would pay a tutor. The introductory session I wouldn't charge for, but would be shorter than a normal one. It's important to know one another to see if you think I am a good fit and vice versa.
How did you get started teaching?
I've worked a couple retail jobs (8 years total) and lead a couple writing teams in college that helped hone my teaching skills. For whatever reason, a lot of people have complimented me on how good of a teacher I am, even when I was just an Electronics Associate at Wal-Mart or a Bookseller at Barnes & Noble. The most important thing about teaching is to never assume someone knows how to do something until you see them do it or hear them say that they know how.
What types of students have you worked with?
Everyone from kids that didn't understand how something works, to middle-aged single mothers who were working a job to the side to support their families.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I'm a member of the MWA (or Maryland Writer's Association), and when I go to a meeting, there's always something different to talk about. And while I am not heading any of the workshops, I do learn plenty about things by experiencing how someone teaches a fellow member the ins and outs of creative writing. I also take joy in learning from others and sharing my knowledge-- that's one of the most fun things about the teaching/learning experience.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The absolute must for any teacher to actually be an effective educator may seem simple, but it's not-- they need to care. If you find a teacher that makes you feel in any way like they don't care about you or the process, then that's a big time no go. I would also generally advise that if your experiences or life goals don't match up in any way, and you feel awkward with them, that's a bad sign too. Make sure that they really care and that you both want to be teaching/learning, and you'll have an excellent set up to succeed.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
The best thing to do would be to write all of your thoughts down, then re-read them to yourself. After that, it may be necessary to separate some problems from others, because not all hurdles are the same height. Not every problem has the same answer. Specifically it would be good to explore your own history and track record in school and at home studying before explaining their needs. In this way, we can make sure that the needs are accurate and true.