All of
Pamela’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Pamela’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
American History
Since 2007, I have been teaching K12 curriculum for the third through eighth grades with a heavy American History component for the California Virtual Academy (the only California State supported home-school curriculum). As an avid lover of history, I have taken course work beyond the requirements for my college degrees and take great pleasure keeping my knowledge base current.
Elementary (K-6th)
Since 2008 I've been tutoring elementary and middle-school children in a variety of subjects for the California Virtual Academy (the only state approved and supported home school system in California) and Stanford University's EPGY Online School program. I've worked primarily with children in grades 3 through 8, from ages seven through fourteen in this curriculum. My specialties are reading, comprehension and composition along with history, basic science and mathematics.
Literature
Both my master's degree and the current MFA program I will complete in 2012 focused on literature and writing. The MFA, a culminating degree for Creative Writing in the United States, has included a large component of essay and thesis work. To date, I have completed two theses involving literature.
As a professional writer, my approach to literature and literary analysis is broad. I have direct experience with a wide range of literary criticism techniques and thoroughly enjoy supporting my students develop their own concepts and expand their appreciation of these works.
Painting
As the daughter of an artist with a large amount of coursework in art history in both my bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as a member of the artistic and museum communities, I have a plethora of perspectives to provide the student of painting. Along with many studio classes in painting and my own shows and sales, my education in the subject is beyond academic. Personally I am a great appreciator of the many art movements and their relationship to changes in culture and history as well as advances in the tools, technologies and pigments available.
Having studied with great local artists such as Livia Stein and having the privilege to work with internationally renown works in my museum and gallery experiences, I can provide a student with a well-rounded and grounded understanding of the art of painting.
Public Speaking
As a professional consultant and in my academic life, public speaking has been a key tool to communicating and advancing ideas and information in person to large groups of people. I do not come by this interest naturally and have taken many courses in public speaking, required and otherwise, to improve my technique and confidence. My natural realm of comfort is in extemporaneous speeches and I have expanded my skill base with several academic and professional programs to enable me to provide long academic speeches and run meetings. In both my master's and bachelor's degrees, as well as my fellowship in Community Leadership with CORO Northern California, public speaking was a strong element of the programs. Prior to entering those programs, I took professional courses to develop a style appropriate to the corporate sector. Sharing these techniques and skills with students, particularly those who "hate public speaking" is one of the most empowering classes one can teach. Seeing a "shy" student find her or his voice is truly a worthwhile.
Reading
Both my master's degree and the current MFA program I will complete in 2012 focused on literature and writing. The MFA, a culminating degree for Creative Writing in the United States, has included a large component of essay and thesis work. To date, I have completed two theses involving literature.
As a professional writer, my approach to reading and literary analysis is broad. Comprehension of literary and other written works is key to opening the door to many worlds of any culture or topic. Teaching comprehension and providing techniques for improving reading is some of the most gratifying work as it will help the student in every subject and throughout their life.
Religion
The study of the world's religions, both ancient and modern, captured my attention as a child and has continued throughout my adulthood in both my academics as well as in my professional and personal lives. As a Humanities major, with both a bachelor's and master's degree, an overarching understanding of world religion is necessary as a basis for understanding history, literature and art. In my professional life with museum and gallery exhibition, religion frequently comes up as an important element of the underlying purpose or meaning of the works on display. As a writer, a deep personal understanding of religion is imperative to understanding a character and the cultural background in which they are living.
My studies have included completion of lower division anthropology courses which required a review and study of native and ancient belief systems. From studying Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Persian practices, I have gained a strong base of understanding for the onset of Jewish, Christrian and Moslem religions. My Asian studies of art and culture include Buddhist, Confusion and Hindu religions. It is a subject that I am constantly updating my understanding of from both a historical and spiritual view point.
Study Skills
Study skills are the basic tools necessary success in all education environments. Each student, no matter their age, develops their own style of studying. The most effective style takes into consideration any blocks or difficulties in learning. Defining these areas and developing skills that counteract any deficits in the students learning is the best means for using study time most effectively. Creating a style of study that incorporates simple positive habits, motivational methodology and skills that support both strengths and challenges in learning, are key to developing strong study skills. I am currently pursuing an MFA in writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
World History
Since 2007, I have been teaching K12 curriculum for the third through eighth grades with a significant World History component for the California Virtual Academy (the only California State supported home-school curriculum) as well as tutored in the subject for local colleges and universities. As an avid lover of history, I have taken course work beyond the requirements for my two Humanities degrees and take great pleasure keeping my knowledge base current.
Writing
Both my master's degree and the current MFA program I will complete in 2012 focused on literature and writing. The MFA, a culminating degree for Creative Writing in the United States, has included a large component of essay and thesis work. To date, I have completed two critical theses involving literature and many essays. My creative work includes a historical fiction trilogy along with children's fiction, an article series for an online magazine, poetry, etc.
As a professional writer, my approach to writing begins with the writer. Sometimes the topic itself chooses the structure, but it's the writer who chooses the topic and develops their own style.