About
I am a newly licensed secondary English teacher in Minneapolis. I love teaching English because I love getting to help students say the creative and brilliant things they think in a way that makes sense to other people.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Communication Arts and Litertature Education with a minor in Linguistics. I love reading and talking about literature of all sorts, especially when I get a chance to encourage new creative writers. I have studied and conducted research on the intersection of linguistic theory and literacy, trying to answer the question: "how does the way we speak influence the way we write?" But, my true passion is teaching people how to write clearly, creatively, and impressively.
Most recently, I have spent one semester co-teaching 11th grade AP English courses. Before that, I coached creative writers at a summer camp for students entering grades 6-12, I was a teacher's assistant in an introductory college writing class, and I spent four years as a college writing tutor. In that position, I served as the Assistant Director of Online Programming (meaning that I am very confident tutoring online!).
Special skills and focus areas: High school writing, college writing, grammar, college application essays, essay writing, creative writing
Highlights
Reviews
Sarah B.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I want to get to know a little bit about you: what are your skills in this area? What makes you nervous? What goals do you have?
Second, I want to know about the assignment you're working toward. Teachers and professors usually have specific requirements and expectations, and my job as a tutor is to help you use your skills to meet those expectations.
Third, we'll make a plan to help you meet the needs of the assignment. This might mean a plan to get started or a plan to put the finishing touches on something that's already pretty great. To me, a plan means specific steps working toward an achievable, measurable goal.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Communication Arts and Literature Education and a Tier 3 Minnesota Teaching License in English and Language Arts for grades 5-12.
I have extensive tutoring training from four years of work tutoring at the college level.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
All tutoring sessions are $40 per hour. Time will be rounded up to the nearest 15 minutes/ten dollars.
(For example, a session lasting one hour and eight minutes will be charged $50.)
How did you get started teaching?
When I was in high school, my favorite subject was math. I went to college fully intending to become a math major, but all of that changed when my writing professor offered me a job at our campus writing center! I found that nothing made me happier than helping students reach their writing goals. I haven't stopped teaching writing since then.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked extensively with college students, both individually and in full-class settings. I have also spent a great deal of time working with high school students in and out of classrooms.
My favorite teaching opportunity was an extended one-on-one tutoring relationship with a student with significant developmental and cognitive disabilities. Through getting to know her brain and her voice, I was able to coach her toward strategies that made writing manageable and possible. The best compliment I have ever received was when she told me "I always thought writing was stressful, but you make it fun."
The students I have worked with represented a broad range of academic backgrounds, racial identities, abilities, genders, ages, English proficiencies, citizenship statuses, and confidence in writing. I believe all people have something important to say and the ability to make their voices heard.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure that a teacher is willing to get to know you and your work. A lot of writers have very set methods that we use to write, but those don't always work for every writer or every writing assignment. A good writing teacher will help you develop your own skills and strategies to make sure you are using your own voice.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1) What do you know? What are you confident in, sure of? How does that impact your ability to do this work?
2) What are you confused about? What's stressing you out?
3) What obstacles are you facing to being able to complete this work? What knowledge are you missing? What skills do you still need to master?
4) What's your goal? What do you need from your teacher or tutor to be able to meet that goal?