Donna O.

I am interested in helping students succeed. I think learning should be a pleasant experience, not a chore. Being able to enhance a student's reading and writing skills is very rewarding. I tutor students of all ages, from Pre-K to adult. I have tutored numerous ESL students and enjoy helping people learn to speak English.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in English with two years' work towards a Master's. I also have a 2-year language certificate in Italian, and would welcome the opportunity to tutor students in beginning or intermediate Italian.

I was a volunteer tutor for Tulsa Public Schools and have OSBI as well as FBI Fingerprint background clearance, last updated 1/2011. Other references are available upon request.

As a board member of Nimrod Poetry and Literature magazine, I read short stories submitted for acceptance into the publication.

While in college, I tutored students with low SAT scores and/or low grade averages who had been accepted into college on a probationary basis. This included tutoring in reading, basic grammar and verb conjugation, as well as spelling and sentence construction.

I would like the opportunity to help you or your child. Please contact me for further information.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Donna's Subjects

Science:	philosophy, sociology
Music:	composition (music), general music, music history, music theory, piano
Art:	architecture, art history, Art Theory , composition (music), painting
English:	ACT English, ACT Reading, English, ESL/ESOL, grammar, proofreading, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, TOEFL, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	ACT English, ACT Reading, GED, GMAT, SAT reading, SAT writing, TOEFL
Language:	ESL/ESOL, French, Italian, TOEFL
History:	American history, classics, geography, music history, social studies
Special Needs:	phonics
Elementary Education:	elementary (k-6th), elementary math, grammar, phonics, reading, spelling, study skills, vocabulary
Business:	GMAT, marketing
Sports/Recreation:	ballet, cooking
Corporate Training:	ESL/ESOL, French, GMAT, grammar, Italian, proofreading
Homeschool:	elementary (k-6th), English, ESL/ESOL, French, piano, reading, SAT reading, study skills, writing

Reading

Every student I have tutored in reading/reading comprehension has improved by at least 40% after our time together.

Students preparing for the reading/grammar part of the ACT Test have improved as much as 65% on their scores, after taking the test a second time.

Composition (Music)

I have studied music and music composition for over 20 years. I took numerous music courses and am able to teach composition on an elementary to intermediate level.

Elementary (K-6th)

I have tutored children ages 5 through 6th grade in subjects such as reading, phonics, spelling and grammar. To me this is the most important age for children learning to read. If they don't love reading by the time they reach middle school, it seems to be an uphill struggle from then on out. Instilling the love of reading is the most rewarding thing a teacher can do. Helping young students learn to spell and pronounce words takes away a lot of the fear and insecurity they sometimes develop if... Read More

General Music

I have studied music for over 20 years, piano in particular. I have a good basic understanding of music composition, can sight read music and have a good background with knowledge of composers, musical styles and trends, etc. I have taught piano to students ranging in age from 6 years to adult learners. I have a great deal of patience and try to make learning music an enjoyable and rewarding experience for students of all ages.

Phonics

I have tutored pre-K as well as grade school students in phonics and pronunciation.

Piano

I have studied piano for over 15 years, and am proficient in reading music, playing classical as well as modern piano selections. I have taught children as well as adults how to read music and to play. Even if you have never had a lesson, it is possible to master the basics in a relatively short period of time.

Playing the piano is a richly rewarding experience and engenders confidence at any age. I love music and enjoy helping others to learn to read and play it. I feel music helps... Read More

Study Skills

My approach to helping students with their study skills is two-fold. First, I help them organize their homework and assignments on a daily basis, by subject. Then I do an overview of the subjects in which they are weakest and strongest, ranking them. Depending on the age of the student, together we work on a plan to improve the weaker subjects thus spending more time on them, while maintaining the subjects in which the student is already doing well.
We then decide on a plan of action for... Read More

ESL/ESOL

I have tutored students in ESL for several years. My students have come from Colombia, India, Greece, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and India.
I have had great success working with them on grammar, reading comprehension and speaking. I have worked with several on preparation for the TEOFL test, which they passed with flying colors. I have great patience and empathy for non-English speakers. and realize the difficulty of learning another language. I try to find the areas where they are weakest,... Read More

Art History

I minored in Art History in college and have always had a strong interest in art. I spent a lot of time in Europe in museums and studying with various groups--my main interest areas are Italian Renaissance Art-- especially Piero della Francesco, Giotto, and Florentine artists, as well as modern abstract art and collage. During my time in Paris I was fortunate enough to get to know several gallery owners whose collections were of particular interest. I've done research papers on various art movements... Read More

Ballet

I have over 20 years experience in classical ballet. I have studied with Ballet Russe dancers, New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre dancers and am equipped to teach the fundamentals of proper ballet placement and alignment. I studied with Moscelyn Larkin and Roman Jasinski, who founded Tulsa Ballet, as well as with their son, Roman L. Jasinski. I follow the guidelines for ballet class as taught by the schools for the companies listed above. I also help students who need instruction... Read More

Sociology

I was a sociology major for two years before changing my major to English. I keep current by reading numerous books and journals on Sociology, as well as attending meetings with other sociology teachers.

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