Word Vault English And Writing Tutoring

The first meeting is a "get to know you" session where I ask the student a few general interest questions. I am always interested to know what they think about reading, writing and English grammar or literature, how they regard it, what their challenges or worries are. Then I ask to take a look at what they are currently working on to get a sense of their grade level, ability, and what's expected of them.

I have a BA in Journalism from the University of Houston and spent many years as a professional writer and newspaper journalist including coverage of public and higher education issues. I am a homeschooling parent of 13+ years with four children ranging in age from 11 to 18 with the oldest a special needs student. I have also been a Cub Scout den leader for almost 8 years working with boys ages 6 to 11 including some on the autism spectrum or diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

My standard price is $25 per hour-long session meeting once per week. If a student wishes to meet more than once per week I offer a discount: Two hours per week would be $40. Three hours per week would be $60.

If a student requires travel, that is an additional $5 per session.

I am happy to schedule make-ups that are convenient for both the student's schedule and mine.

My oldest child, now 19, was diagnosed with autism at age 4 and after meeting with special education instructors in our local public school district -- and after doing extensive research into the benefits of homeschooling as well as resources available to me -- I began teaching her formally at age 6. Her three younger siblings have always been homeschooled as well. My oldest is now a college student, excelling in all subjects, especially those that require reading and writing!

I have worked with multiple ages simultaneously in a homeschool setting. My oldest child has autism and my youngest child was late in learning to read so I am very familiar with the differences in the way individual children learn and process information. I have also worked as a Cub Scout den leader since 2011 with a variety of boys, some of who were diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum or as having ADD/ADHD. There is a lot of instruction and hands-on activity in scouting. I have also worked several summers as a Cub Scout day camp volunteer for boys ranging in age from 6 to 11. 

Watching my oldest child start college and hearing from her professors about how well she's doing in school. 

I would tell them that everything in our world is interconnected. If you can read, you can read ANYTHING, including math and science books! If you can read, you can unlock the mysteries of the human body, the instructions to build or paint or draw something, information that lets you fix something to save money instead of hiring a repairman. The more reading and writing a person does, the better and more effective communicator they'll be. These skills factor heavily into higher academic and job success in whatever field you choose.

They (or their parents) should be able to explain to me what their struggle is (if they have one) or what they are working to achieve. I want to know how they currently think about reading/writing and their background in those subjects in school.