Love working with gifted as well as special needs populations

I am a recently retired school teacher looking to supplement my pension with tutorial work. After teaching middle school and high school English in the Fairfax County Public School System in Virginia, I moved back to Southern California in 2009 when my husband's project was completed. English is my specialty having been deemed "highly qualified" after the Virginia Educational System adopted qualification standards for teachers. I taught special education students and have tutored general education high school and college students in such areas as writing (expository, narrative, creative writing, persuasive, etc.), reading, and organization skills.

My background also includes 35 years in business and marketing working for such firms as MCI/WorldCom, The Geneva Companies, and Bechtel Power Corporation. After earning a Master's in Education at Marymount University in Virginia, I began teaching students with learning disabilities. After two years as a teacher, I was asked to become Department Chair.

Although I lived in Virginia for 15 years, my home is Southern California. My hope is that tutoring work will allow me to continue to participate in the educational process and make a difference in students' lives.

Elena's Subjects

Art:	drawing, painting
English:	ACT English, ACT Reading, English, grammar, literature, proofreading, public speaking, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	ACT English, ACT Reading, SAT reading, SAT writing
History:	social studies
Special Needs:	ADD/ADHD, Aspergers, autism, special needs
Elementary Education:	grammar, reading, study skills, vocabulary
Business:	business, marketing, public speaking
Corporate Training:	business, grammar, proofreading, public speaking
Homeschool:	English, reading, SAT reading, study skills, writing

Reading

I am experienced in helping students improve their skills in the areas of reading comprehension and critical thinking. My approach is to work on study skills, drills, and practice tests. I review and explain correct answers to clarify understanding. I also use vocabulary enhancement, spelling, and writing practices to help students read not only for information, but also for enjoyment.

Writing

My area of expertise is in reading and writing. I enjoy working with people to help them communicate in writing. I feel I can help individuals put a variety of sentences together to convey a thought or idea in an interesting fashion. I'm experienced in narrative, expository, persuasive, and creative writing, and employ the six traits to include: ideas, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency, and conventions. Good writing can make a difference in how one is perceived in both the academic... Read More

English

I am highly qualified in all areas of English reading comprehension, elements of writing (persuasive, narrative, expository, creative), basic skills, organization, and strategies for test taking at the middle, high school, and college level. I am experienced at teaching both the general and special/exceptional student populations.

SAT Reading

I am experienced in helping high school students practice for the critical reading section of the SAT specifically in the areas of reading comprehension (both short and long), and sentence completion. My approach is to work on test taking strategies, study skills, drills, and practice tests. In addition, I go through explanations for correct answers to clarify understanding and assert confidence when taking the test.

SAT Writing

I have experience in helping students prepare for the writing portion of the SAT as well as other college admission exams. Writing can be enhanced and improved through fundamental understanding of the process. I can help students improve their writing skills and give them test taking strategies, specifically in the area of the SAT. I've accumulated test preparation materials that will help students practice, review, and understand the process of writing.

Study Skills

While within the Fairfax County Public School System, I taught a class called "Basic Skills" -- primarily a study skill class wherein students were given help in staying organized, using a daily planner, focusing on subject matter that was difficult for them, and engaging test taking strategies. Students found these skill sets to be valuable and employable when moving out of "Basic Skills."

Special Needs

Having taught Special Education students when I was with Fairfax County Schools, I have a strong foundation for working with the special needs population, particularly in the areas of autism and moderately developmentally disabled. Not only do I enjoy working with the special needs population, but my master's degree is in the field of Education with an emphasis on Special Education. I'm fluent in the techniques and strategies needed to help the developmentally disabled and autistic student population... Read More

Drawing

For the first three years of my undergraduate curriculum, I was an art major. I was accepted into a highly regarded art school but unfortunately due to finances, was unable to attend. Subsequently I graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Now that I've retired, I paint and attend uninstructed drawing classes to keep up my draftsmanship skills. I would be pleased to present a portfolio of my capabilities as an artist. I also should mention that I taught school in the Fairfax County... Read More

Business

I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, and attended Pepperdine University's School of Business working toward an MBA. I served as director of a marketing program for a mergers and acquisitions firm, and developed numerous marketing and strategic plans. As a director, I was encouraged to be entrepreneurial in my thinking. My strengths are in writing and communication and I strive to encourage those I work with to develop their own personal skill sets.

Public Speaking

I've given many presentations in my professional life, and I enjoy addressing groups both large and small. The most important element in public speaking is to be extremely familiar with your subject matter and to organize your speech/presentation well so that it flows naturally. I've been a member of Toastmasters and have taken courses in Public Speaking. In this regard, I believe myself to be highly qualified in this area.

Painting

I spent three of my undergraduate years as an art major having studied painting, drawing, design, color theory, sculpture, art history, et al. Subsequently I received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, and spent over 35 years in the corporate world. My first love is painting and I currently study with two resident artists, attend uninstructed drawing classes, and will be having my own exhibition (oil painting) within the next two weeks. I welcome the opportunity to share my portfolio... Read More

ADD/ADHD

I have a Master's Degree in Education with a focus on Special Education. I taught students with Learning Disabilities to include ADD and ADHD, therefore I have first hand knowledge of the challenges and strategies one would use to strengthen academic skills. As Special Education Department Chair I was responsible for writing and supervising IEP goals for all the Special Ed students at my school. I believe that employing the right strategies and study techniques for students with ADD or ADHD would... Read More

Aspergers

I earned a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Marymount University with a 4.0 GPA. I taught special education in the Fairfax County Public School System (Virginia) and specialized in autistic students. I like to teach students on the autism spectrum of which Aspergers is associated. I have a sister who is autistic and am very familiar with most phases of the spectrum.

Autism

I hold a Master's Degree in Education and taught Special Education in Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia). Not only have I taught a variety of students on the autism spectrum, I have a sister who is autistic. I welcome the opportunity to discuss individual cases and learning levels.

Marketing

As a director of a marketing program for a mergers and acquisition firm, I was responsible for running a multi-million dollar operation which included strategic planning, business development, management of a cadre of business analysts, market research, and market analysis. I work with individuals to develop their strengths in writing and communication in order to be effective in the corporate world.

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

University of Redlands (Business Admin.) Marymount University (MEd) Pepperdine University (Graduate Coursework)

Excellent tutor! — Elena provided challenging assignments, gave honest feedback and helpful test taking advice. As a result my daughters writing skills and reading comprehension greatly improved. Thank you Elena!

— Monette from Long Beach, CA

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Hourly Fee

Standard Hourly Fee: $65.00

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Elena will travel within 15 miles of Long Beach, CA 90803.

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