Humanities Professor tutors English, Writing and more

I am a well-respected educator, with over 15 years experience in both K-12 and university education. I have a master's degree and an ABD in comparative world religions and culture, with a special focus in Renaissance studies. I have a second master's degree in creative writing and literature. I taught for many years as a residency arts-educator in both PA and NJ schools; I've taught a variety of courses as part-time faculty in a number of Philadelphia-area universities. I have taught intellectual history courses, which are interdisciplinary courses that include the study of writings in science, philosophy, psychology, religion, literature, history and the classics. Additionally, I've taught courses in English literature and American literature, poetry, film and theatre. I've taught a variety of courses in world religions, including Native American spirituality, Western religions, Eastern religions and African diaspora religions. I've taught creative writing classes in fiction, poetry and drama. I've taught writing courses that include business writing, technical writing, remedial writing and ESL writing. I've tutored in many humanities courses, as well as SAT and ACT preparation.

I have worked with ESL populations, special needs students, home-school students, adult learners, at-risk learners and gifted or accelerated learners. For many years, I was a member of the Committee for Special Education in the Lower Merion School District, and was active regarding issues of alternative learning models, differentiated instruction and special needs populations.

As someone passionate about high-quality teaching and learning, I am offering my experience and skills to students needing tutoring, or any kind of special support in order to allow them their best chance at success.

I'm always happy to speak with the parents and prospective student in order to individualize a program that will ideally suit their needs.

Debra Leigh's Subjects

Art:	art history, theatre
English:	ACT English, ACT Reading, English, ESL/ESOL, grammar, literature, proofreading, public speaking, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, TOEFL, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	ACT English, ACT Reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, TOEFL
Language:	ESL/ESOL, TOEFL
History:	American history, classics, European history, government & politics, religion, world history
Special Needs:	ADD/ADHD, Aspergers, autism, dyslexia, hard of hearing, special needs
Elementary Education:	grammar, reading, vocabulary
Business:	public speaking
Corporate Training:	ESL/ESOL, grammar, proofreading, public speaking
Homeschool:	English, ESL/ESOL, reading, SAT reading, writing

Theatre

I'm a theatre professional. My own plays have received readings and productions in the Philadelphia region. I have worked as a dramaturg in the Philadelphia theatre community. I also have experience as a director of children's theatre.

I have studied and taught theatre both in K-12th and at the university level including courses in playwrighting, theatre history, and theatre survey courses. I've run two-year residencies with the NJ Council of the Arts in Theatre Education, where students... Read More

Special Needs

For many years, I was a member of the Committee for Special Education in Lower Merion. I have a special needs son who had a spectrum of learning disabilities. Since we homeschooled, I became very familiar with all the needed supports and alternative learning approaches that work for students with individualized education programs. I have worked with other parents, to offer advice on a variety of topics, including IEP construction, professional supports, therapies and differentiated instruction,... Read More

Religion

The study of World Religions was part of both my undergraduate and graduate work. I have a double major Bachelor's Degree, in both English and World Religions.

I have a Master's Degree which included the study of world religions through a variety of methodologies, including Sociology, Psychology, Literature, History and Art. My ABD included a focus on Islamic Studies, specifically regarding how it pertained to the Spanish Catholic Reformation. It also included much research in the... Read More

ESL/ESOL

I have worked, both K-12th and university level students for whom English is a second language. While they require additional time and specific tutoring focused on the shift from one language system to another, it is not at all a difficult thing to handle with some patience and some individualized attention. Every student with ESL needs is different, and I'm happy to individualize the lessons, and to take additional time in order to ascertain the student's progress and understanding.

Public Speaking

As a theatre professional, I have worked for years in the area of speech, delivery, dramatic impact. I've worked with students K-12 in theatre residencies, acting both as a writer and as a director, helping the students deliver their best performances.

For many years now, I've taken this skill outside of the traditional area of theatre, to coach others on the art of public speaking, including attorneys who often require coaching for their best delivery of an opening or closing argument... Read More

ADD/ADHD

I have been an active member of the Committee for Special Education in Lower Merion School District, and am the parent of a special needs child. I have worked with students, both in K-12 and at the university level who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. I've worked with students who are both medicated and non-medicated. I welcome the opportunity to work with students who have attention issues, and strive to individualize my tutoring to their individual needs.

Art History

In my own graduate work, I have studied Art History in the area of Renaissance art primarily. I also worked, as a homeschool parent myself, with my own son's program of Art History, which included not only Renaissance Art History, but the history of art in America and in specific time periods and geographical regions in Europe and Asia.

During our homeschooling program, my son had a specific interest in Japanese culture, religion and art. We designed an entire program that included... Read More

Aspergers

I have been an active member of the Committee for Special Education in Lower Merion, and am the parent of a special needs child. I have worked with students, both in K-12th and at the university level who have been diagnosed with Aspergers. I welcome the opportunity to work with students who have this diagnosis, and strive to individualize my tutoring to their individual needs.

Autism

I have a son whose special needs are on the Autistic spectrum -- Sensory Integrative Dysfunction. I have deep familiarity with working with students who are struggling with disorders and learning disabilities on the Autistic spectrum. I have familiarity with auditory processing issues, visual processing issues, olefactory dysfunction, vestibular issues, tactile dysfunction and oversensitivity. Each student with an autistic diagnosis has his/her own set of needs, and I'm open to working with the... Read More

Dyslexia

I have a son whose special needs include dyslexia and dysgraphic. We homeschooled him, and I'm familiar with working to adapt materials and programs to allow a dyslexic or dysgraphic student to receive the appropriate supports. I have a deep familiarity with these disabilities, and an open to working with parents and students to individualize any program.

Hard Of Hearing

My son had a whole spectrum of special needs, including auditory processing issues. Since we homeschooled, I had to become familiar with ways in which to adapt programs to support additional ways in which we could address the auditory issues. I am familiar, not only with hearing impaired students, but with students who have issues of auditory overload, auditory dysfunction, and phoneme misidentification. All special needs students are individual, and require very specific and individualized understanding... Read More

Classics

As part of both my undergraduate and my graduate work in Comparative World Religions, I studied with a remarkable Classics/Patristics professor, Sam Laeuchli, who was himself a colleague of the great Joseph Campbell. With him, I studied Greek and Roman mythology, the Greek and Roman dramatists, the Mystery Religions, Patristics and a variety of interdisciplinary courses - i.e. Myth and History, Myth and Art.

I continue to teach courses at the university level which include a study... Read More

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

Temple University B.A., M.A. 1983 (Graduate Coursework) 2003 M.A. Creative Writing and Literature (Master's)

Hourly Fee

Standard Hourly Fee: $75.00

With Prepaid Discount: $63.75 - $71.25

Save up to 15%

Cancellation: 12 hours notice required

You don't pay until after your tutoring and there are no hidden fees or charges. The price you see here is the price you pay.

Your first hour with any tutor is always 100% refundable. You must be completely satisfied or we will gladly issue you an instant refund.

Travel Policy

Debra Leigh will travel within 15 miles of Philadelphia, PA 19147.

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Credit	For Only	You Save
$200 - $399	$190 - $379	5%
$400 - $999	$360 - $899	10%
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Debra Leigh S.