English/History teacher, writer, and professional editor for all needs

I have a current California credential for English, and am an experienced, caring teacher. My degrees are in public speaking and English literature, as well as my M.A. in Education. You may notice I have qualified with Wyzant in most of the humanities; that is because I am a lifelong student and love to learn about many subjects. I am also a professional writer and editor of both fiction (mostly historical) and non-fiction (mostly business, education and travel), and can provide samples and testimonials for both. Most importantly, I really want every person I help, whether child or adult, to succeed and enjoy the fruits of his or her efforts. I am patient and encouraging, and try to make learning fun. As a credentialed teacher, I have current background checks on file with two school districts.

Don's Subjects

English:	ACT English, ACT Reading, English, ESL/ESOL, grammar, literature, proofreading, public speaking, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, TOEFL, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	ACT English, ACT Reading, ASVAB, CBEST, college counseling, GED, ISEE, Praxis, PSAT, SAT reading, SAT writing, SSAT, TOEFL
Language:	ESL/ESOL, TOEFL
History:	classics, European history, social studies, world history
Special Needs:	ADD/ADHD
Elementary Education:	grammar, reading, study skills, vocabulary
Business:	marketing, public speaking
Corporate Training:	college counseling, ESL/ESOL, grammar, proofreading, public speaking
Homeschool:	English, ESL/ESOL, reading, SAT reading, study skills, writing

Vocabulary

There are two basic elements to any language: vocabulary and syntax. If you do not know the words being used (or what word you should use), you cannot grasp or convey the exact message you wish -- and sometimes you can be terribly misunderstood. The same goes for syntax, which is the order in which words are placed in a well-constructed sentence. Certainly, Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes are important to academic and scientific English, but the basic elements of vocabulary can be... Read More

Grammar

As an English teacher, I had to pass some rigorous tests measuring grammar and syntax. These are interlinked, but not the same. Syntax is the order in which we place the words to convey an exact meaning. (“I do like you” is totally different from “Do I like you”, especially without the punctuation!) Grammar is more a knowledge of the various parts of speech and how to conjugate (modify) the words depending on certain references, such as timeframe and relationship, in order to make the meaning... Read More

European History

History is more than just memorizing names and dates. It is a relationship between the people, their complete culture, their physical environment, and how all of that impacts the rest of the world or is impacted by the rest of the world. I have studied as many aspects of European history as I can, including religion, literature, politics, geography, art, and so on, in order to better understand the people and events that shaped the course of their society. I have learned how one civilization or... Read More

Reading

Reading skills are not magical, they involve a logical process which can be taught by a knowledgeable and patient instructor. In addition to comprehension and analytical skills for both fiction and non-fiction, I give a strong focus to vocabulary and understanding of syntax because those are the basic tools of good reading. General punctuation will also be included, because a strong command of punctuation is important to understand the important elements of each sentence and the relationship of... Read More

Writing

Having started my career in advertising/PR as a copywriter, I spent 20 years total in marketing, writing everything from commercials to business plans. During that time, I also sold short stories to various publications. As a teacher, I have written dozens of academic articles, many published on Yahoo! Voices. I was (until the program was discontinued) a featured travel writer for Yahoo. I have sold dozens of articles to Yahoo and other sites on such subjects as politics, sports, personal finance... Read More

English

As a credentialed and experienced English teacher, I am extremely knowledgeable of all technical aspects of the language. I also have a degree in public speaking, and can be of great assistance with spoken English. As a writer and editor, I'm also very familiar with some of the finer nuances of both fiction and non-fiction. My background includes both practical knowledge of reading and writing in business for more than 20 years as well as my academic knowledge. I truly love to help all students... Read More

ESL/ESOL

I have taught ESL for both school-age and adult learners. That includes speaking, reading and writing. My training for teaching credentials included knowledge of and sensitivity to those with special needs, including non-native speakers. Whether for school, business, or social purposes, I am an experienced teacher.

Literature

As a life-long lover of literature, I have read thousands of novels, shorts stories and poems from all cultures. My B.A. is in English and Comparative Literature from UC San Diego. As a teacher, fiction writer and critiquer, I have learned a great deal about the art of understanding and interpreting literature. I have written essays and lesson plans on how to understand literature and write essays on the subject. Good literature is a reflection of life and the human experience, and I love to share... Read More

World History

While I have studied world history academically, I have also traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe, some in South America, and bits of Africa -- not to mention North America! I believe my personal knowledge of the countries and cultures augments the book knowledge I have gained. Rather than just names, dates and places, I want to instill in my students a sense of the relationship within and between the cultures and politics of the entire globe when studying world history.

Proofreading

Proofreading is a skill that ranges from technical aspects (spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax) to intermediate writing skills (word choice, sentence variation, clarity of meaning, good transitions, etc.) all the way up to content comments. In non-fiction, content comments include strength of thesis and evidence, logic, interpretation, and argumentation. In fiction, they include character development, plot line, technical errors such as anachronisms and inconsistencies, factual errors,... Read More

GED

I taught GED skills at the Mt. Diablo Adult Education Center, and to my own son here at home. My students have all passed. Regardless of whom you choose as a tutor, I suggest you start increasing your vocabulary right now, today. That is a critical component of the GED, as I’d be happy to explain if you select me to help you.

SAT Reading

As a college applicant, I scored in the 99th percentile in all English disciplines. Reading skills are not magical, they involve a logical process which can be taught by a knowledgeable and patient instructor. In addition to comprehension and analytical skills for both fiction and non-fiction, I give a strong focus to vocabulary and understanding of syntax because those are the basic tools of good reading. General punctuation will also be included, because a strong command of punctuation is important... Read More

SAT Writing

TOEFL

As a measurement of aptitude for university level work, the TOEFL IBT demands a much higher level of vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing ability than most tests. Moreover, unlike most other tests of English, the TOEFL contains a spoken portion. This measures your hearing comprehension (to a certain extent) as well as your ability to articulate both words and thoughts in English. For English learners, this skill clearly requires an exposure to conversation with someone who uses a high... Read More

ASVAB

The ASVAB is probably the most comprehensive test I've encountered. Other than a few direct math problems, however, most of the questions revolve around a knowledge of English comprehension and reasoning. Clearly, a knowledge of auto mechanics and science is a great help, but some of the answers can be figured out through logic -- assuming understanding of the question and possible answers. In that sense, it's much like the GED. While not an expert in science and mechanics (my son is a mechanic),... Read More

PSAT

Other than the few probabilities and statistics questions, most of the math on the PSAT is fairly basic. Most students taking the PSAT have problems with the English. The latter requires a good knowledge of reading comprehension, sentence construction (syntax), and essay writing. All English questions require a good vocabulary. My approach is to combine general knowledge materials, especially vocabulary and syntax, with sample PSAT questions, including timing practice responses, in order to increase... Read More

SSAT

There are two critical knowledge areas of the SSAT: math and vocabulary. While there is some logic to the English portions, both reading comprehension and verbal questions require a good vocabulary. Although the essay is not scored, schools usually take a close look at the writing ability and thoughts of the student to determine placement. Regardless of which of the three levels of the SSAT your child is taking, it may be the first comprehensive test in their life, with timed sections. Fortunately,... Read More

ACT Reading

ACT English

As a college applicant, I scored in the 99th percentile in all English disciplines. Reading and non-fiction writing skills (especially essays) are not magical, they involve a logical process which can be taught by a knowledgeable and patient instructor. In addition to comprehension and analytical skills for both fiction and non-fiction, I give a strong focus to vocabulary and understanding of syntax because those are the basic tools of good reading. General punctuation will also be stressed, because... Read More

Study Skills

There are many approaches to good study habits. The first step is to develop a schedule that fits in with the student’s personality as well as his or her life: ease or difficulty of certain subjects; household chores and obligations; extra-curricular activities; and general recreation/ relaxation. Once a comfortable schedule is established, study skills become a lot easier. Where do you do certain work (e.g., school, home, with a study group, etc.) for the optimum environment? How much help do... Read More

Public Speaking

I have an undergraduate degree in public speaking, and competed in tournaments while in high school and college (both for school and public organizations, such as Toastmasters, Lion's Club, Law Day Oratorical Contest, etc.). As a teacher, I have taught public speaking numerous times. For one year at Pittsburg High School (CA), I taught writing and public speaking at the academy.

College Counseling

After advising countless students regarding both the options of formal education after high school and how to succeed at the higher level, I wrote several articles published on Yahoo! Voices on the subject. Regarding options, I will state that I do not advise every young person to attend a 4-year university, or necessarily a large, prestigious university if that is their direction. I think the key to success in any endeavor – education, career, relationships, etc. – is happiness. If you are happy... Read More

ADD/ADHD

I had some issues with ADD as a young student, and my son had ADHD. My son went through the Orinda school system, which is very demanding academically. When I took my master’s degree in education, I did several research projects on ADD/ADHD and other learning disabilities. That knowledge helped me tremendously when teaching students who had those and other learning challenges. Being aware of those challenges and knowing how to adapt lessons and teaching modalities to accommodate them is a huge... Read More

CBEST

The CBEST is a lot like the GED. In order to enroll in a teacher education program, I not only had to take the CBEST, but pass two very long and difficult tests, the PRAXIS and the SSAT. Since that time, those latter two tests have been replaced by one that is shorter and, I am told, much easier: the CSET. As a teacher in adult education programs, I was responsible for both standard high school subjects and the GED for those who did not wish to complete their diploma courses. While the math and... Read More

ISEE

Regardless of which of the three levels of the ISEE your child is taking, it is probably the first comprehensive test in their life. One of the challenges of the ISEE will be the timed sections, and the overall length of approximately 2-1/2 hours, which is a long time for a child to sit, in addition to possible anxiety. Other than the math section, the other four revolve around language: verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and essay writing. Fortunately, the art of test taking... Read More

Marketing

Marketing is the overall term for any individual or business attempting to get their product or service in front of potential buyers. It starts with research and ranges in execution from word-of-mouth campaigns to full-blown advertising/PR blitzes. I spent more than 22 years in the industry, starting as an agency advertising and PR writer and finishing as Director of Marketing. My clients were retail, B2B, and even highly technical. In addition to my degrees, I took many courses in business and... Read More

Praxis

In order to enroll in a teacher education program some years ago, I had to pass two very long and difficult tests, the PRAXIS and the SSAT. Since that time, those latter two tests have been replaced by one that is shorter and, I am told, much easier: the CSET. As a teacher in adult education programs, I was responsible for both standard high school subjects and the GED for those who did not wish to complete their diploma courses. I have demonstrated my subject proficiency, and have taught many... Read More

Social Studies

Having traveled extensively throughout the world, including working in several foreign countries, I can combine my academic studies with practical knowledge of social studies. As a liberal arts teacher, I have taught history, but I am also well-versed in various governments and economics. I have written historical fiction for years, and the research and writing I have done has given me a very broad perspective of social studies both from an historical standpoint and from what exists today, and... Read More

Classics

As a student of both history and literature (B.A. in English and Comparative Literature), I have a strong academic knowledge of classic literature from Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" to Ovid's "Metamorphoses" to the Norse story of "Beowulf". I have taught these subjects, written essays on them, and studied the mythology behind them. However, a scholar cannot separate the actual history of those and other civilizations, from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to as far west as Mesoamerica, if he or she... Read More

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Education

UC San Diego (English Literature) Chapman University (MEd)

Excellent Tutor — Don is patient and knowledgeable of the subject matter; explains concepts in a way I can understand it; I would highly recommend him.

— Audrey from Alameda, CA

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Hourly Fee

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Don will travel within 16 miles of Orinda, CA 94563.

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Credit	For Only	You Save
$200 - $399	$190 - $379	5%
$400 - $999	$360 - $899	10%
$1,000 +	$850 +	15%

Don M.