All of
Jennifer’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Jennifer’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
Bar Exam
I passed both the Illinois and the Texas State Bar exams on the first try, in the same year. I feel strongly that my success was mostly due to my preparation of general essay answers ahead of time, and being able to use my pre-written answers to boost or add to the particular analysis required to answer each specific test essay question. Another crucial factor in my success was to set a time limit on each section of the test, and to strictly maintain the pace. These are learned techniques which are as important to passing bar exam tests as showing that the student has learned the law and can perform legal analysis.
College Counseling
I am very familiar with the colleges and universities in the United States. My father and brother both worked for the College Entrance Examination Board, so conversations about colleges were always taking place at the dinner table. I have edited several admissions essays. The breadth of my academic experience and my writing ability have helped me to greatly improve the essays I have edited.
Drawing
From a very early age my parents encouraged my artistic talent. Both of them were artists and they enrolled me in private art classes. I have been privately trained in drawing, oil painting, watercolors and various mixed media/collage building. I took painting and drawing throughout high school and college.
As an adult, I enjoy working on my own. I have taken non-academic classes. I design greeting cards, render watercolor landscapes, illustrate architecture, and make three-dimensional paper objects. I use oil paints, acrylic, colored pencils, charcoal, markers to create colorful representational art.
English
I am qualified to tutor in English because I have had extensive education and much family training in English. My father was an English professor at Columbia University. He and my mother impressed me with the importance of speaking and writing correct English. My siblings and I have all entered the field of education. I have been teaching ESL and writing for about 2 years. Also, I have two advanced degrees, a MS and a JD. Earning both degrees required a good deal of excellent writing skills. I love good writing and am enthusiastic about teaching better English skills (grammar, reading comprehension, writing, speaking) to people who have the desire to learn.
ESL/ESOL
In 2010, I completed Literacy Chicago's course entitled "How to Teach English as a Second Language". Since then, I have been teaching ESL to a variety of people, both as a volunteer and a paid tutor. Mostly, I teach adults who are in advanced education programs (Master's or PhD) who need to write professional papers and improve their conversational English. I enjoy editing their papers and the "conversation" classes because the people are interesting and intelligent. My students learn to write better and get better grades. In conversation, we use ESL lessons and whatever material is at hand to talk about what interests us. I help them with vocabulary and pronunciation.
Study Skills
I completed four years of college at a top liberal arts school, two years in a graduate program to receive an MS, and three years in law school to earn a JD. So altogether, I was in school for about 21 years of my life. To stay in school so long and earn so many degrees, I had to develop good study skills. Good study skills involve being organized, taking superior notes, remembering information, understanding processes, studying effectively for exams, writing winning essays, and passing standardized tests. I learned my study skills from teachers and educators, by trial and error, through experience, and from books and study guides. I know what techniques and habits worked for me, and I would be glad to help other students find out ways that they can improve their own study skills.
Swimming
I feel I am well qualified to teach both children and adults how to swim because I was a competitive swimmer when I was younger, and I understand that some people are afraid of the water and find it hard to get used to the feeling of moving in water. I, myself, feel very secure in water and love the feeling of swimming. I used to race in crawl and butterfly contests. Originally, I learned how to do the different stokes correctly, in the right form, from a Red Cross certified teacher.
Writing
I have had a lot of writing experience as well as a strict education regarding English composition, grammar, and vocabulary. In all my previous professional positions, I have had to use my writing skills. I have had lots of experience editing and reviewing student papers, student research papers, chapters of books, and school writing assignments.
I have written all sorts of documents, such as letters, resumes, personal statements, essays, newsletters, contracts, articles, histories, research papers, legal briefs, summaries, reports, and advertising copy.
In graduate school, took a business writing class. Additionally, I won a legal writing competition which gave me a lot of satisfaction. I rely on my writing skills to make a living, and I love editing!