DBC: Latin, Literature, Social Studies, Test Prep

DBC, a Rice University alumnus with a BA in Classics, has taught Latin, English, US Government, US History, World Geography, and a custom course called Preparation for College Admissions in public schools in Texas and Connecticut. He has also conducted test preparation classes for SAT, GRE, and LSAT with Stanley H. Kaplan. He actually enjoys LSAT logic games. He has spent the last 16 years in information technology training and service desk positions.

In 2013, DBC would like to add some Advanced Placement test preparation to his repertoire, particularly in Latin, the various Histories, and Government.

In the musical realm, DBC plays piano, trumpet, and bass guitar, and he has done some composing, but feels qualified only to tutor piano through the intermediate level.

David's Subjects

Math:	algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry, SAT math
Music:	piano
English:	English, grammar, literature, proofreading, SAT reading, SAT writing, vocabulary
Test Preparation:	GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT math, SAT reading, SAT writing
Computer:	Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word
Language:	Greek, Latin
History:	American history, classics, geography, government & politics, world history
Elementary Education:	grammar, vocabulary
Business:	GMAT, GRE, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word
Corporate Training:	GMAT, grammar, Greek, Latin, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, proofreading
Homeschool:	algebra 1, algebra 2, English, geometry, piano, SAT math, SAT reading

Algebra 1

Taught SAT Math preparation for several years, including the various formulae and procedures to solve all varieties of problems in Algebra 1.

American History

After passing the comprehensive social studies certification test (ExCET), I taught US History at Pasadena High School. I am very familiar with both halves of the US History curriculum as taught in Texas, as well as an avid reader of history books that fill in the interesting details omitted by textbooks.

Vocabulary

Background in classical languages and a lifetime of reading combine to yield a sizable vocabulary, including the ability to combine Latin or Greek roots and prefixes into new terms (neologisms) as needed.

Grammar

Background in classical languages provides an even more exacting sense of grammar and usage than one would achieve by studying English alone. For one example, Shakespeare's line "If music be the food of love, play on!" is grammatically correct, at least in Renaissance English, since the conditional clause requires a verb in the subjunctive mood. Also can explain the difference between uses of the pronouns in the following sentences:
"You may choose whomever you want." ("object of want")Read More

Microsoft Excel

MOUS certified in Excel 2003, with a perfect score on the exam. As a corporate trainer, I taught MS Excel from the introductory level through advanced VBA programming. Familiar with most of the worksheet functions except those in the engineering category and obscure statistical functions. I am adept at formatting worksheets to enhance readability or highlight key data, whether using built-in auto-formatting tools or designing formats from scratch.

Geometry

I taught SAT math preparation with Stanley Kaplan Centers for several years, as well as a high school course called Preparation for College Admissions that included math for college entrance exams.

Microsoft Word

MS Word user since 1988, MOUS certified in Word 2003. Taught Word classes for 10 years at all levels, including custom courses in VBA programming and template development, in corporate and non-profit environments. Familiar with intricate workings of mail merging, tracking changes, paragraph styles, page formatting, tables, and manipulation of graphics (including text wrapping).

Microsoft PowerPoint

As a corporate trainer, taught introductory and advanced PowerPoint classes, including linking and embedding various objects. Familiar with key design and presentation principles: e.g., do not make presentations merely scripts for the presenter to read; be consistent with capitalization and endline punctuation; limit graphics and sound effects to what is necessary to underscore the main points.

Latin

I completed a BA in Classics at Rice University, as well as the teacher certification program, reading works of Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace, Cicero, Martial, Propertius, Tibullus, and a collection of Medieval Latin poetry and prose. I also took four semesters of Ancient Greek. I taught Latin I & II for 10 years. I'm probably not as swift in reading Latin poetry as I was 20 years ago, but I managed to translate all the tangled sentences in WyzAnt's certification test.

Geography

I taught World Geography at Pasadena High School. I have been keenly interested in geography since childhood; friends and relatives know that geography is my specialty in Trivial Pursuit.

English

At various times, have taught high school English, SAT Verbal test preparation, and Latin, as well as sponsoring high school newspapers and literary magazines. Currently participating in a writers' group, assisting other fiction writers with making their written communication as precise as possible.

Government & Politics

In the teacher certification program at Rice University, I selected Political Science as my second field (they don't call it a "minor"). I successfully completed courses in US government, comparative government, regulatory structures, urban politics, defense and security policy. I am an avid reader of politically oriented books, magazines and websites.

SAT Math

I taught SAT preparation for Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Centers in New Haven, CT and Houston, TX. I'm familiar with the types of questions posed in the Math portion and strategies to address them.

Literature

Once taught 9th grade English, certified via ExCET. Familiar with the canon of British and American literature; avid reader of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama from all eras.

World History

I am certified via ExCET to teach all regular social studies subjects in Texas. I helped son get through AP World History (2006-07); familiar with the types of questions and writing prompts on the World History AP exam. Enjoy reading historical nonfiction, especially ancient civilizations and 20th century, as well as histories of philosophy and religion.

LSAT

I taught courses in LSAT preparation for Stanley Kaplan Educational Centers. I am familiar with the subtypes of Logical Reasoning and Analytical Reasoning questions, as well as strategies for improving scores in Reading Comprehension. I am also aware of recent changes in the LSAT format, including the writing portion.

GRE

Taught GRE classes with Stanley Kaplan Centers, as well as SAT and LSAT. I enjoy teaching writing strategies almost as much as I enjoy writing, and endeavor to make it enjoyable for the student as well.

Proofreading

I have held several jobs that involved precise use of written English: taught high school English, sponsored student newspapers and literary magazines, and worked as an editorial assistant with a small publishing firm. More recently, while working as an IT trainer, I was sometimes called upon to edit custom courseware, as well as publishing an online newsletter for PC end-users.

SAT Reading

Familiar with the types of questions posed in the Reading/Verbal portion, including recent changes in the test format, and strategies to address them. Previously taught SAT preparation for Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Centers.

Piano

I began formal piano lessons in fifth grade, continuing through tenth grade; continued playing on my own through high school, and advancing to UIL State Solo & Ensemble competition with Gershwin's Three Préludes.

I also played piano in jazz ensembles at Cypress Creek High School and Rice University.
In the late 1980s, for about a year I taught piano and electronic keyboards at Bill's Music Shop in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

More recently, I have accompanied youth choirs... Read More

Greek

I took five semesters of Ancient Greek at Rice University, during which classes read from Homer's "Iliad," Plato's "Dialogs," the Gospel of John, and several dramatic works. I have managed to remember quite a bit of the vocabulary and grammatical fine points despite not using Greek much since then.

Microsoft Access

MOUS certified in MS Access 2003. From 1997 to 2004, I taught MS Access from the introductory level to application development, including VBA programming and interfacing with other Office applications. I helped construct and modify databases for several large-scale corporate projects and a few non-profit organizations. I am familiar with most new aspects of Access 2010, including the use of ADODB commands for data access and manipulation (though this knowledge may require a little refreshing).

Microsoft Outlook

I used and taught MS Outlook for a total of 10 years, up through version 2010. I am familiar with useful features and techniques such as Rules and Alerts, flagging messages, creating repeating meetings, finding lost items, and restoring deleted items from Exchange within 14 days of deletion.

Classics

In high school I was invited to participate on the regional Certamen team for the Texas Junior Classical League state competition, the only member of the team not from the mighty Baytown Lee High School.

I graduated from Rice University with a BA in Classics. My studies included a course on Roman civilization, including history, art, and mythology.

While teaching Latin I & II for 10 years in public high schools, I also sponsored Junior Classical League chapters and trained... Read More

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

Rice University (Classics)

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David will travel within 15 miles of Houston, TX 77004.

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