All of
Justine’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Justine’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ACT English
I am a longtime English instructor and writer who also happens to be familiar with tests like the ACT. In fact, I have taught test-preparation courses for the SAT and CUNY exams. So, I can help you not only with your reading, writing and grammar, but also with your test-taking skills.
ACT Reading
I am a longtime English instructor and writer who also happens to be familiar with tests like the ACT. In fact, I have taught test-preparation courses for the SAT and CUNY exams. So, I can help you not only with your reading, writing and grammar, but also with your test-taking skills.
American History
My major in college was English,and most of my teaching experience has been in the subject. However, I minored in history and taught American and World History, as well as English, in a private high school. I continue to read extensively in American History because I find it intrinsically interesting, and because a lot of current events make more sense with some understanding of history.
I am familiar with Regents Exams, the SAT, ACT and GRE, and with AP courses. In fact, I have taught test-preparation classes. So, I can help you not only to increase your understanding of American History, but also to write good papers and do well on tests involving the subject.
Elementary Math
While I have never taught math, I understand some of the difficulties young people face in learning it. I had some of those difficulties myself! In spite of them, I learned basic math well enough to remain on honor rolls and deans' lists through high school - and to balance a checkbook.
Elementary Science
Although I don't have much educational background in science, I know that is something that's part of our lives. That is what can make it interesting and relevant. I understand enough about how young people learn to know that many learn most effectively through concrete examples from their everyday lives. I would tutor through those examples.
English
I am a writer with more than two decades' experience in teaching and tutoring English. My experience includes all aspects of the subject, including literature, grammar, English as a Second or Foreign Language and, of course, writing.
My work as a writing instructor is influenced by the fact that I am a writer and encompasses creative as well as expository writing, as well as business and professional writing. I have worked with students of all kinds, from elementary school pupils to graduate students working on theses, as well as business and professional people who were writing proposals and business plans.
My experience has made me more flexible in my tutoring and teaching. I know that not everyone learns in the same way, so I am able to adjust my methods and adapt materials to help you write that paper on "Othello" or a contract, or to score high on an exam.
ESL/ESOL
I have taught English to non-native speakers in language schools and institutes as well as in academic settings. I have taught business and professional people, unskilled workers and students how to effectively communicate in their new language. Furthermore, many of my students in regular English classes do not speak the language with their families or in their communities, so I often do the same sort of work as an ESL teacher.
Much of my teaching is based on situations you may encounter, and on role-playing, rather than on memorization of rules. I also try to use what students know in their own languages, and whatever interests they may have - whether they are literature, baseball, music, bicycling or cooking - in order to help them learn and feel more confident in their new language.
European History
Although most of my teaching experience is in English (writing, literature and language), I have also taught American and world history in a private high school. Also, History was my undergraduate minor, and I continue to read in the subject whenever I have the opportunity.
I like to teach and tutor European, or any other kind of, history as a living subject. It's not just about the past or about distant places; it's about who and what we've become. That's why I believe that the best way to learn history is to make it interesting, and the best way to make it interesting is to make it relevant. So, I not only want to help you pass your tests or write your papers, I want to help you understand why history matters.
GED
My teaching has included a lot of work with adult students who had recently earned their GEDs. So, I am familiar with the requirements of the test and the challenges faced by GED students, and want to help you.
Geography
Most young (and old) people are interested in geography, whether or not they realize it. To get from one place to another, we have to think about where one place is located in relation to another, and what we might find in that place, or in other places along the way. Also, we hear more in the news about other places, as we are more and more interconnected in every way. That is not only the reason why we need to learn geography, but one of the best ways to learn it.
Grammar
You might find grammar difficult, intimidating and even boring or dry. I understand: simply memorizing rules is not terribly interesting or, I believe, useful. Instead, I prefer to help students learn grammar through their own reading and writing. Grammar isn't just about correctness; it's about making language work for you. That will be our goal if I work with you on your grammar.
Literature
As a writer and longtime English instructor, literature is one of the great passions of my life. I have taught English, American and world literature classes at the high school and college level.
Writing about literature does not require esoteric knowledge or vocabulary. It requires your ability to trust yourself as a reader and to express the thoughts, questions and reactions your reading inspires. My job, in tutoring you in literature, is to help you do those things, based on your own ways of understanding.
Also, I have taught test preparation classes and am familiar with Regents exams, the SAT and GRE. So, whether you have to write a paper about Macbeth or Marquez, are going to take a test or simply want to learn and enjoy more about poetry, fiction, drama or any other kinds of literature, I would be very happy to work with you.
Proofreading
I have worked as a proofreader. In addition, proofreading is part of my job as an English instructor.
Reading
I have taught reading courses in CUNY community colleges, and I have helped more advanced students improve their reading skills.
Whenever I work with a student on his or her reading skills, the focus is on helping the student to become a more confident as well as competent reader who can apply his or her skills in a variety of situations, from school to work to everyday life.
SAT Reading
As a longtime writing and reading instructor who has also taught test-prep courses, I can help you do well on the reading part of the SAT. If I were to work with you, I would help you to improve both your reading and test-taking skills.
SAT Writing
As a longtime writing instructor who has also taught test-prep courses, I can help you do well on the writing part of the SAT. If I were to work with you, I would help you to improve both your writing and test-taking skills.
Social Studies
I have taught American and world history in a private high school. In addition, I minored in history in college and often use it in my teaching of English. Also, I have lived outside of the US and in neighborhoods of immigrants, so I am aware of many different kinds of cultural practices and make a point of learning as much as I can about them.
Spanish
Soy americana.
So now you know I'm American. See how easy it was to learn a Spanish phrase?
That's how I like to teach Spanish. Instead of spending a lot of time on memorizing rules, I prefer to use everyday situations and phrases to help students learn Spanish.
Although I took Spanish in school, I feel I really started to learn it when I used it in various situations. Not only did I learn idioms, I also gained confidence in my ability to use the language. While a couple of hours' tutoring a week cannot substitute for such experience, I believe I can impart some of the competence and confidence I have in reading, writing and speaking Spanish.
Spelling
I know that spelling can be intimidating. However, it's not just a matter of memorizing rules (although that's a part of it). I think it's more important to recognize and internalize patterns - which are things people of all ages can do. Also, having worked with students whose first language is not English, I understand why they have their own particular difficulties with English spelling, and can work with them.
Study Skills
In teaching English and history, I often find myself working with students to improve their study skills, particularly if they have to take standardized tests. Also, I have worked in summer immersion programs for incoming college freshmen. Upgrading students' study skills - or, in some cases, helping students acquire any study skills at all - was an important part of the work I did in such programs. Finally, I have helped adults who were returning to school or preparing for civil service exams. Their skills were often rusty (or, in some cases, nonexistent) after years away from school and books.
TOEFL
I have extensive experience in teaching English to non-native speakers, in academic settings as well as in language schools and institutes. I have worked with children, university students, business executives and professionals to help them improve their reading, writing and speaking skills.
I am also familiar with TOEFL and, as someone who has taught test-preparation classes, I can also help you with your test-taking skills.
Vocabulary
I like to use the vocabulary a student already has in order to help him or her expand his or her repertoire of words. I think this is more effective than simply memorizing a lot of words and definitions; people are more likely to use something they've learned if they can relate it to what they already know.
Also, if a student speaks another language besides English, I will use it (to the extent that I know the language) in order to help expand that student's English vocabulary.
World History
My major in college was English, and most of my teaching experience has been in the subject. However, I minored in history and taught American and world history, as well as English, in a private high school. I continue to read about world history whenever I have the opportunity because I find it intrinsically interesting and because a lot of current events make more sense with some understanding of history.
I am familiar with Regents exams, the SAT, ACT and GRE, and with AP courses. In fact, I have taught test-preparation classes. So, I can help you not only to increase your understanding of world history, but also to write good papers and do well on tests involving the subject.
Writing
I have taught and tutored writing for more than twenty years. My experience includes everything from guiding people in writing proposals, reports and other professional and business correspondence to leading poetry workshops with handicapped children. Most of my experience is in teaching college composition; however, I have also taught creative writing as well as remedial classes and test preparation.
Whether you are preparing for state tests or your dissertation, need to write better letters or memos, or simply want to explore your inclinations to write poems or stories, I can help you and make the work fun and interesting as well as useful!