John R.

I have been tutoring students ages 9-18 for the past 25 years as director of a large tutoring program. I am highly proficient at any major subject through the 9th grade, and specialize in helping students improve, whether they are having difficulty or striving for top grades.

I consider myself a motivator and someone who quickly assess student's need, finding their threshold and helping them take the next step. I am passionate about the success of each student, recognizing them as a unique person, and consider it my job to inspire each one to maximize his/her own capabilities. I am highly organized and aim to be a model of integrity and reliability for my students.

John's Subjects

Math:	algebra 1, prealgebra
Music:	drums, ear training, general music, piano
English:	Bible studies, English, ESL/ESOL, grammar, literature, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	COOP/HSPT, ISEE, SAT reading, SAT writing, SSAT
Language:	ESL/ESOL
History:	social studies
Special Needs:	phonics
Elementary Education:	elementary (k-6th), elementary math, elementary science, grammar, phonics, reading, spelling, study skills, vocabulary
Sports/Recreation:	basketball
Corporate Training:	ESL/ESOL, grammar
Homeschool:	algebra 1, elementary (k-6th), English, ESL/ESOL, piano, prealgebra, reading, SAT reading, study skills, writing

Algebra 1

I have helped students succeed in algebra for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. Algebra is using what you know to find what you don't know. It requires memorizing steps toward a solution. I help students to understand how each of the steps is simple in itself and these steps follow a logical order. By consistent practice, organization of notes and real life applications, I aim to show that anyone can master this subject. I am both motivational... Read More

Vocabulary

Having a good vocabulary is very useful both for excelling academically throughout school, but also in the real world. I help students learn to identify word roots and to master memorization techniques such as mnemonic devices, grouping of similar words and focused repetition. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust of students so as to give them the tools and confidence they need to advance.

Grammar

I have worked with students ages 8-18 for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. My approach to tutoring in Grammar is first to help students realize that using proper grammar is crucial to making the right impression in the real world. I work on reviewing and practicing the various language skills that need to be mastered and use games and puzzles to reinforce the ideas in their mind. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust... Read More

Prealgebra

I have helped students succeed in pre-algebra for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. Pre-algebra involves memorizing the steps needed to solve each kind of problem. These steps are not hard by themselves so by breaking things down to a simpler form, I help students quickly see that each problem if a combination of things they already know how to do. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust of students so as to give them... Read More

Reading

I have taught reading to students ages 8-18 for the past 25 years, as a teacher and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. My approach is first to cultivate a love for reading and appeal to students' interests. Then I work on reviewing and practicing the skills they need - whether phonics, word recognition, comprehension, vocabulary, memory or reading speed. I am an avid reader myself and aim to cultivate daily reading with all students. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly... Read More

Writing

My approach is to help students realize the power writing gives them to communicate their ideas. Then we separate out the main tasks - brainstorming ideas, organizing the form, writing with proper grammar and improving style. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust of students so as to give them the tools and confidence they need to advance.

English

I have worked with students ages 8-18 for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. My approach to tutoring in English is to help students realize the power to communicate which mastery of their language gives them. Then I work on reviewing and practicing the various language skills that need to be mastered and demonstrate how these apply to their school work and in the real world. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust of students... Read More

ESL/ESOL

I have been a professional tutor for the past 25 years and director of a tutoring program helping mostly immigrant families. I am fairly fluent in Spanish and very familiar with the particular challenges faced by someone trying to learn English. I feel that the best way to master the language - along with immersion - is hearing, understanding and repeating common language forms and idioms so as to gain confidence in listening and speaking. I favor keeping lists of vocabulary and common phrases,... Read More

Literature

I have been director of a non-profit educational center for the past 25 years. Literature is one of my great loves and I am well versed in helping students understand and enjoy the message an author conveys through his writing. This ability is best cultivated through daily reading, but also by learning about the cultural and historical climate in which the author is writing. I use leading questions to help students discover hidden meanings for themselves, drawing attention to hints the author... Read More

SAT Reading

I have been helping high school students prepare for reading section of the SAT for the past 25 years. My approach is to discover the source of struggle in reading, whether it be comprehension, reading speed or memory recall. I provide additional materials to practice the needed skills and return to sample test questions to check progress. I am also very adept at pointing out test taking strategies that will help. I am both motivational and challenging with students and gain their trust by showing... Read More

SAT Writing

I have been helping high school students prepare for writing section of the SAT since it was added in 2005. My approach is to help students quickly organize their ideas and plan their essay in their mind. Then after each writing attempt, we correct and go over errors and weaknesses in the writing. I have found it useful to keep a notebook of writing samples and refer back to past essays in order to build on what we have learned.

SSAT

I have been helping middle school students prepare for high school entrance exams for the past 25 years. My approach to the SSAT is to develop a focused plan for study based upon students strengths and weaknesses as seen through a diagnostic test. I also focus on test taking strategies and recommend using a standardized test book to provide extra exercises in each area of weakness. I am both motivational and challenging with my students and help them gain confidence on the test by showing the... Read More

Spelling

Good spelling is crucial to getting good grades on throughout school, yet there are so many words that do not follow the rules. First I like to emphasize memorization of spelling rules, and then teach students memorization techniques for words which do not follow the rules, sounding them phonetically, and isolating specific irregularities. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust of students so as to give them the tools and confidence they need to advance.

Elementary Math

I have worked with elementary students for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. I am familiar with the core standards for all levels of math. My approach to students is to meet them where they are and patiently challenge them to practice the skills and take the steps needed to improve. I am both motivational and challenging and quickly gain the trust of students so as to give them the tools they need to advance.

Elementary Science

I have worked with elementary students for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. I am familiar with the core standards for all levels of science. My approach to students is first to interest students in the subject matter and show them how it is relevant to them. Then I help break down the concepts with which they struggle into a simpler form so that they understand how everything fits into the bigger picture. I am both motivational and challenging... Read More

Ear Training

My objective with ear training is to help the student identify relationships between notes based upon familiar songs and well-known melodic patterns. I also try to help the student become more aware of their own vocal range so that their own voice can be a reference for remembering melodies and intervals. A very basic use of the piano can also be helpful, as the piano keyboard makes note relationships and melodies visible. With these techniques, I believe we will find success! I majored in music... Read More

Elementary (K-6th)

I have worked with elementary students for the past 25 years, both as a tutor and as director of a non-profit tutoring center. I am familiar with the core standards for all the major subjects, including math, reading, language arts (grammar), social studies (history), science, and even Spanish and religion! My approach to students is to meet them where they are and patiently challenge them to practice the skills and take the steps needed to improve.

General Music

I have been a professional music educator for the past 25 years, providing music lessons to students of various ages. I started my own instrumental music program with 5 donated instruments and built it to over 100 students and three bands for elementary, middle school and high school students. I have performed professionally as a jazz and cocktail pianist and as principle percussionist with the Rhode Island Symphony Orchestra. I love all styles of music and have dedicated my life to helping others... Read More

Phonics

I have worked with remedial students as well as adults in learning reading through phonics for the past 25 years. The key to improvement in phonics is consistent repetition of the particular sounds of letters and groups of letters, and continual practice in combining the sounds. Students should both synthesize words from parts and break down existing words by syllables and sounds if necessary. Students must also be taught not to guess a words or to skip over them when reading.

Piano

I have been teaching piano lessons for the past 25 years. My approach to lessons is teaching students how to read music and to learn songs of various styles, including ones they like. I emphasize style and expression, particularly with older students and help my students learn to practice more effectively so that they make the most of their talents. I majored in music at the New England Conservatory of Music and have played piano professionally for years.

Study Skills

I have been teaching young people ages 8-18 how to become better students for the past 25 years. My approach is first to help them make a true commitment to achieving their best, and then demonstrate that this is only possible if they develop proper techniques of memorization, organization of information and disciplined habits of order and time use. I am both motivational and challenging with students and like to have them demonstrate what they have learned to insure that they have internalized... Read More

Basketball

I have been playing basketball all my life, since I was a boy, and have coached middle school and high school teams. What I think makes sports most fun is the constant challenge to improve and the strength one feels from being part of a cohesive team. I like to focus on developing fundamentals and building fitness and these really help both individual confidence in the sport and improve one's contribution to the team.

Bible Studies

I have been a daily reader of the Bible for the past 25 years. I specialize in the New Testament and also explaining the significance of the texts of the Old Testament in the context of the new. I am Catholic but am willing to engage in helping anyone to understand the scripture from the point of simple faith as well as grasping the historical and literary meanings of the text.

Drums

I have been teaching drums for the past 25 years and specialize in helping my students quickly learn to play together with others. I majored in percussion at the New England Conservatory of Music and was principle percussionist of the Rhode Island Symphony. I have also played drum set professionally and can teach keyboard percussion instruments, especially vibraphone, and also timpani.

COOP/HSPT

I have been helping middle school students prepare for high school entrance exams for the past 25 years. My approach is to develop a focused plan for study, based upon their strengths and weaknesses as seen through a diagnostic test. I also focus on test taking strategies for the particular test for which we are preparing. I am both motivational and challenging with students and gain their trust by showing them that they can succeed with an effort.

ISEE

I have been helping middle school students prepare for high school entrance exams for the past 25 years. My approach to the ISEE is to develop a focused plan for study based upon students strengths and weaknesses as seen through the diagnostic test on the ISEE website. I also focus on test taking strategies and recommend utilizing a test preparation book geared toward the ISEE. I am motivational and challenging with students and help build their confidence in getting a good exam score by demonstrating... Read More

Social Studies

My approach to Social Studies is first to establish an awareness of the given time period in reference to one the student recognizes, and then to demonstrate for them the relevance of the topic. Timelines can be very useful and I like to make outlines with students highlighting important names and their contributions; significant vocabulary and terms; important influences leading up to and outcomes resulting from the events being studied.

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

New England Conservatory of Music (Education) New England Conservatory of Music (Master's)

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John will travel within 20 miles of Chicago, IL 60622.

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