About
I offer tutoring and academic coaching that focuses on holistic development of the student as the central agent in lifetime of learning. Of course success in specific classes and programs is important, but what is more important is developing an understanding of how concepts, skills, and academic approaches bridge and transcend disciplines. I want to work with you to help you better recognize your own potential while also helping you to see how even the most (seemingly) trivial of disciplinary skills can be connected to your larger world and applied towards future success.
I think that one of the most important and rewarding components of my approach and practice is helping students to recognize and begin to intentionally respond to the expectations placed upon them. These expectations come from parents, from teachers, from friends, from colleges, from assignment instructions, from society at large, and -- most importantly -- from the self. To speak bluntly and somewhat crudely, learning sucks when it is something the feels externally enforced and unfairly required...but it is amazing when it is something that you take control of for yourself.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to follow a three-step approach to determining fit and focus when working with a new student:
Preliminary Questions -- You and I share some basic information about what you are looking for, what I might be able to provide, and our respective availabilities.
Prologue Meeting -- We schedule an initial, uncharged meeting for student, parent(s), and myself, at which we can better get to know each other, paint a holistic academic picture, and then begin to develop a plan of approach.
Personalized Plan -- Following the prologue meeting, I will draft an initial plan of approach for our work together for the family to review and consider. If the plan makes sense to everyone, then we begin!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a masters degree in teaching with an emphasis on gifted education. I have a bachelors degree in English and history. I have spent nine years as a middle and upper school teacher, eight of those as a soccer coach and homeroom advisor. During that time, I have worked independently as a tutor for students from other area schools.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
To keep thing simple while allowing for the broadest possible scope of approach, I charge $50 an hour for my time, regardless of how it is spent (e.g. in-person meetings, virtual check-ins, travel time, essay or work review, communicating with classroom teachers, attending an academic meeting at school, etc.).
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with all sorts of students, including those labeled as gifted, twice-exceptional, and ESL. I've worked with students who were "on top of their academic game" (so to speak), and I've worked with students who were trying really, really hard to completely check out. If you know exactly what you want from school and life and just need someone to help you chart and maintain a path, I can be your guide. If you happen to currently be raging against the academic machine, no longer able to see much point in even caring or trying, I am here to help you take the fight back to the man. And if you fall somewhere in between those two extremes, in terms of what you want and what you feel, well then we'll figure out whatever personalized approach to success makes sense for you.