All of
Terrence’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Terrence’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ADD/ADHD
I have supervised a program for adolescents with ADD/ADHD compounded by other emotional and acting out behaviors. I have served as a social worker in an extended care facility, where the children often had ADD/ADHD as a condition above their medical issues. I have tutored adults and transition age youth with ADD/ADHD in GED prep through a Career Center.
Algebra 1
Algebra presents people with problems as it goes beyond numbers. Where straight use of numbers is fairly straightforward, adding "x"s and "y"s can be intimidating. I will work with you to overcome that anxiety and see that these letters are not as complicated as they appear.
Aspergers
I have worked with young adults with Aspergers in a career center and various children in residential programs. I am also very familiar with Aspergers from a personal position, having a nephew with Aspergers; now an MIT graduate. My brother, the MIT Grad's father, was undiagnosed, but is almost assuredly Aspergers.
My approach to working with Aspergers is, first and foremost, work to the strengths. Beyond that, I address the areas that present issues to the client and find tools and methods to accommodate those issues. The goal being to enable the client to function to his greatest potential.
My ultimate intent is to ensure that every client has all appropriate skills needed to compensate for weaker areas, thereby improving the probability of success.
Autism
I spent three years in residential care at the Institute of Logopedics (now Heartspring) in Wichita, KS, providing academic support, life skills training and behavior management for children with autism. Two of these years was as a houseparent, while the third as Crisis Counselor. As Crisis counselor, I would assist other houseparents with behavior management, intervene in acting out situations and support academic training.
Dyslexia
People with Dyslexia use parts of the brain others do not when trying to learn. The key to dealing with dyslexia is to find the modality of learning upon which the brain is capitalizing . I have worked with children and adults, helping them do just that. I worked for three years in a residential program in VA. There, I supervised a campus of students with various forms of learning disabilities, including dyslexia, ensuring homework was done and aiding students understand the concepts.
I also assisted adults in a career center as the disabilities specialist. I aided in tutoring adults in GED prep working with those who could not understand due to the teaching methods being utilized. I would identify what was needed to help the student see the concepts.
I would help you by assessing what modalities you use (Vision, touch, etc.) when trying to learn and use tools and techniques to make that learning easier.
Elementary (K-6th)
Having been Director of a child care program with an After-school component, I managed an hour-long homework time for all children in the After-school program. All children in this program were in K-6 and would receive instruction and assistance with their homework. I would aid children with math, social studies, English and any other area of study for they needed assistance.
Elementary Math
Having spent my career working primarily with children, and having a strong math sense, I am well-qualified to assess what is preventing your child from succeeding in his or her study of mathematics. I am well in tune with children's development and have am a strong advocate for appropriate education within the school program. I feel many schools overlook the children who are struggling, unless an IEP is in place. These struggles come in the form of subject-specific issues as well as those students who are advanced, but not challenged. This lack of challenge can result in the student becoming bored and result in acting out behaviors. I use my knowledge and experience to provide you, the parent, recommendations on how to proceed in getting appropriate services for your child.
English
English is a very complicated language. It has too many exceptions and has developed from numerous sources. However, the ultimate base of our language is Latin and Greek. I took four years of Latin and have used that learning well to develop my skills in English grammar, syntax and semantics. I will use these skills to aid you in developing your skills and in assessing where you are having difficulties
ESL/ESOL
I am well versed in English, especially as it relates to grammar and semantics. Having a degree in speech pathology aids in my ability to guide speakers of both English and where English is not the natural tongue, to appropriately articulate and understand the nuances of this language.
GED
I have numerous years of experience assisting adults and young adults in preparing for the GED. Recently, I worked in a One-stop Career Center as Disabilities Specialist. Within that position, I often worked with customers seeking to improve their knowledge and prepare to take the GED tests. I would be called in to our self-directed program to provide guidance in varied subjects, primarily math. The participants did not need to have identified themselves as having a disability to access my assistance.
Previously, I also assisted young adults in a residential program studying for the GED and general studies to help them develop into productive adults.
General Computer
Computers- a necessary evil in today's world. If you do not have basic skills, at a minimum, you could find yourself passed over for a job, a promotion, or simply lost. I have been using both Mac and PCs since the 80's. I do prefer PCs.
I am well versed in key combinations, as I prefer the keyboard over a mouse. I can teach you the basic- from turning on the machine and options, to complex programs. I do not do programming!
If you are struggling with your computer and feel guidance will help- it usually does- give me a try. I will help you become comfortable with the machine.
Geometry
Geometry is a subject that requires the ability to visualize. This is often difficult for children and adults. I approach teaching geometry through helping the student see real-life uses. You will learn to drive easier and be a better driver if you know geometry. I try to put a face on learning, rather than only using factual information.
Grammar
Grammar is the backbone of English (and all languages). However, Grammar is not taught in the public schools as it was in the past. Grammar is now an afterthought. The schools seem to feel students will "pick up" grammar as they do other language-related activities. This is wrong! I am well-versed in Grammar, having been taught this well, I took four years of Latin, a major base for English. I believe all students must be taught Grammar in order to utilize our language, in writing, speech and comprehension.
Microsoft Word
MS Word has gone through multiple revisions. Whether you are new to the program, or trying to update from a former version, I can guide you through the menus, key combinations and overall formatting to get a working knowledge. You will be able to do all basic skills and, if desired, learn some complex aspects of the program to improve the overall appearance of your documents.
I always gear my tutorials to the current level and needs of the individual.
Phonics
Phonics requires breaking words down so that they may be recognized and pronounced correctly. Having a background in Speech Pathology, I have had to be able to not only decipher words, but listen to how these words are said by clients and aid in correcting the mispronunciation. These skills are applied to learning to use phonetic cues to read. Further, having taken Latin for four years, I have an excellent understanding of the makeup of words and their meanings.
Phonics is only the first step to reading and speech, knowing what you are saying and its use is also vital.
Reading
Reading skills begin at birth. The love of reading is learned by a parent or significant individual to the child reading to the child. As the child sees that books are enjoyable and fun, they are more likely to desire learning from them.
Armed with the skills instilled from birth, older children, especially those having difficulty with the task, are more receptive to different techniques and approaches to help them master reading.
Never give up on your child's desire to learn to read, even where s/he voices a dislike for doing so. Keep reading- your example will do vastly more than you may believe. Then use others to augment and aid your child's skill building.
Special Needs
My career has been with special needs children and adults. I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Mass. I raised a significantly medically impaired daughter. She was tracheostomy dependent, gastrostomy fed, with a litany of diagnoses. To name a few: congenital encephalopathy, seizure disorder, developmental delay, neurogenic bladder and COPD. Further, I worked as social worker in a pediatric nursing care facility. All 80 of my patients were medically and cognitively impaired. I also have my own disabilities, principally, a seizure disorder, for which I had brain surgery.
Study Skills
My career has been working primarily with children. This includes children in need of homework/study skills assistance. I did this in at least two settings, first in a residential program for adolescents, and then as Director of an after-school program. I assisted these children, especially those with attention issues, to stay on task and recognize when he or she needed assistance. I did similar work with high school youth and young adults within a career center, aiding them in preparing for the GED tests