About
A lifelong proficient reader and writer, I've tutored my own mother in her college courses, and was the best writing tutor at my small college (Clarke University). Sometimes, I even edit a project manager friend of mine's communications.
I grew up reading the King James Bible and feel at home with Shakespearean English, but more jocular contemporary English like "A Clockwork Orange," "Slaughterhouse V," and "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" I resonate well with too.
In addition to my affinity for classic literature I have 1600 volumes of Japanese manga (translated into English) in the front room of my house. I've worked with kids of all ages my whole life, through my church and other opportunities, and even spent 2 weeks at camp as a counselor with our middle and high school kids this summer.
I also serve as a high school foreign exchange coordinator for Academic Year in America.
I love working with kids and the creative energy they have. I love thinking about communication, literary themes, thinking itself, and all of the other underpinnings that go into robust, effective communication. Writing and reading force us to think about these things, which create the system of rules we use for grammar, spelling, and the English language as a whole.
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Ritu S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Everyone's needs are different- the first step is always to get to know the person and assess what the strengths and weaknesses are. From there we figure out what goals they're looking to achieve, and how to best meet them. The tutoring process is individualized education, not just fixing up assignments, but helping the learner understand concepts and techniques for the future. Figuring out what that process looks like for different individuals with different strengths, weaknesses, goals, learning styles, etc. is the art of tutoring.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied Bachelor's level English, Education, and Psychology, and was a collegiate writing tutor at Clarke University. I've worked in children's ministries through my church for over 15 years, taught communication merit badges for Boy Scout Camp, and I help foreign exchange students with (among other things) communicating while in a foreign culture. In the workforce I've been a lead trainer for phlebotomy/plasmapheresis.
How did you get started teaching?
I was homeschooled and largely self-instructed; it taught me the value of personalized education. In high school my favorite public school teacher, combined with a great experience teaching merit badges at Boy Scout camp inspired me to pursue that line of work.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students as young as 4 and 5 that needed speech pathology assistance, and as old as 45 writing college essays. I've worked with special needs students and students with behavioral issues, and students who think you're there to write the paper for them. My favorite students are bright, happy, earnest teens with a flare for creativity, and with a little work most people can be at least 3 of those things.