Hello, I am Barbara J., a former high school English teacher who has a law degree that is quite helpful to me in many ways, even in tutoring. I taught all levels of juniors and seniors for 10 plus years; this included students who took Advanced Placement English Literature, AP Language and Composition, Honors English, Regular English students who needed remediation as well as gifted students.
As a published, award-winning teacher of juniors and seniors in a large public school system, I was also responsible for preparing students to take the English portions (essay writing, reading, vocabulary, grammar, etc.) of all standardized tests; special emphasis was placed on the ACT and the SAT.
I love teaching and empowering young people, but I also love writing, and that is why I retired in 2007, quite early, to pursue a writing career.
Since 2007, I have written two books: Journaling: Twenty Plus Reasons Why You Should Start Now, was published in 2008; my second book, Coming Full Circle, was published in late January 2012.
Although I retired in 2007,I voluntarily tutored two home schooled teens,a sister and brother,from 2007 until they graduated in June of 2011.I became a certified tutor with WyzAnt in January of 2011,because I truly enjoy helping students become successful,life long independent learners and thinkers who realize that learning really can be loads of fun!
In preparing students for the English portions (reading, essay writing, vocabulary, grammar, etc.) of The ACT, SAT, or The AP Exam in English, I first give students a timed -40 minute- diagnostic writing assignment that quickly reveals their strengths and weaknesses in thinking, organizing and writing their ideas;the diagnostic results allow me to get right to the problem.I also give the students pretests in the subjects, and I systematically give timed practice tests so that they can get a real feel for the exams under exam constraints and conditions; after testing, students and I analyze responses to determine why their answers are right or wrong. Students are also encouraged to look for patterns (good and bad) in their responses so that they can focus on eliminating the bad patterns (not reading the entire question or all options before making a selection,or overlooking key words, for example) and enhancing the good ones. Needless to say, this approach is extremely helpful in building students' confidence. As a result, their scores on the practice tests improve considerably, and because the practice tests are based on actual past exams, students' chances of success on the real tests are increased significantly.
This methodical approach to test taking gives the students the help needed to exercise the discipline and develop the confidence necessary to stay focused on their test preparation until the test is taken.
Needless to say, I spend much time preparing activities, writing prompts, etc., for each session; accommodations are also made for a student's individuality, including preferred, and or dominant learning style(s).
I know how concerned you are as parents about your child(ren)'s education, and I applaud you for taking the extra measures to assure his/her/their success. You should know that I have always taken my responsibilities seriously, and that is why I give to your child(ren) as I'd give to my own.
Continue to encourage your child(ren) and accept nothing but the best from him/her/them;you know better than any one what their best looks like.
Working together, I believe we can help your child(ren) reach his or her highest academic goals!
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