I am qualified to tutor in math at the elementary level through Algebra I and Geometry, assist students with essays for college applications and high school courses, develop and edit college resumes, tutor for the ACT's Reading, English, and Writing Sections, and work on vocabulary and grammar.
I have a college degree and a law degree. I am the mother of two children who are now successful students at The University of Texas-Austin. My educational background, life experience, and "being wired" as a math person--not a teacher certification--make me qualified to tutor your children.
In high school, I never saw myself as a "math nerd" because I was very artsy; however, strong math and spatial reasoning scores on a standardized test indicated I should study engineering. George Costanza of the "Seinfeld" show tried to impress women by telling them he was an architect, and I wonder to this day if I should have been an architect --not that I would have done this to impress anyone, but it probably would have been a better fit for my aptitude. Instead, I graduated from Smith College with a double major in English with high honors and Government. After working for a year, I entered law school and received my J.D. from St. John's University School of Law, became licensed in New York, and then took and passed the Texas bar examination. I practiced law in Texas for almost ten years and then took time off from the law to raise my son and daughter, who attended Spring Branch Independent School District elementary, middle, and high schools. When they attended Spring Branch Middle School, I mentored/tutored two at risk students in math and realized that I had a knack for explaining math to children. I really, truly enjoy explaining the concepts encountered in elementary and middle school math up through Algebra I and Geometry. Mathematics is very procedural and logical and just requires an effective communicator to make the concepts understandable to students. I have a rapport with young children and teenagers, an ability to reach those who are "math challenged," and a working knowledge of the Spring Branch Independent School District mathematics curriculum.
Additionally, as the parent of two children who are now in college, I have first hand insight into the college application process. I can tutor in standardized testing, resume development, and essay writing.
I have read numerous books on college essay writing and read hundreds of essays, including my own children's, and I know what makes a successful essay response to an essay prompt. Adapting a little bit of the Socratic method, which is the bane of every law student's existence, I can effectively question a student to bring out the details that will turn a dull essay into an exciting one. When a student's voice shines through, which in my opinion is a combination of writing style, personality, and unique personal experience, this is the beginning of a good college essay. Next, you edit and edit and edit again, never forgetting vocabulary and grammar. In the end, technically and substantively, each essay has to be a story that "clicks" just right and, when it does, this is an exciting moment for the student, the parent, and the tutor--and, hopefully, for the college admissions officer who reads the student's application!
The college resume is also a critical component of the college application. I have a great deal of experience writing these resumes. I can assist students with areas they can focus on to "beef up" their resumes while they are still freshmen through juniors in high school. I can assist students who are juniors and seniors with structuring and editing their resumes.
The third major component of the college application process is the standardized test. Dreaded by many and loved by few, the standardized tests cannot be forgotten; although some colleges and universities are test optional, most institutions require them. Both of my children took the SAT and ACT and SAT II Subject Tests. They put most of their focus and energy into the ACT. I actually took an ACT and timed myself on the ACT English and Reading sections and scored 35 out of 36 on each. I coached my daughter on these sections and think that I'm qualified to tutor students on these ACT components, as well as the Writing section of the ACT. I can also assist with reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing for the SAT.
Whether your student requires academic attention in math up through Algebra I and Geometry, or requires assistance with essay writing for school courses or college applications, or requires help with his or her resume or college standardized test preparation, please contact me. I look forward to working with your student.
back to top