The Play's the Thing! and English, and Writing and Onward!

Hello! I'm Melissa! I am a well-rounded individual with many interests, and therefore much prior knowledge from which to draw when tutoring. I understand learning styles, and the struggles students face when dealing with material that may not be their strongest suits. I am incredibly patient, understanding, and encouraging, and am convinced that people are capable of things beyond our immediate grasp when we dare to push and challenge ourselves. If I am unfamiliar with the material I am asked to tutor, I research alongside my students so that I am able to demonstrate good study skills and techniques, as this is an art form lost to many of us, but one that is crucial to the success of the learner.

I have done much private tutoring in the past, working especially with ESL students of a variety of ages. I am adept at customizing my tutoring approach to accommodate the interests, aptitudes, and skill levels of the students whom I tutor. My focused background is in English, literature, theatre, and writing, though my general knowledge extends into all branches of education.

Currently, I am working toward becoming a fully credentialed teacher for the state of Texas, and I am a mere test day away from this accomplishment. I aim to teach theatre and English at the middle or high school level, though securing a position as an elementary teacher in my hometown is where my heart lies, as I feel helping to positively shape the minds of our youngest citizens is an admirable path for giving back to the community.

I am eager to help students embrace their aptitudes as well as their weaknesses, as it is only by solidifying those areas in which we are not as comfortable that we truly stretch ourselves. This is as important, if not more so, than developing aptitudes, as it is usually our weakness that holds us back from obtaining our paramount achievement.

Thank you for considering me as your tutor! I look forward to getting started!

Melissa's Subjects

Science:	anatomy, philosophy, psychology
Art:	theatre
English:	ACT English, ACT Reading, English, ESL/ESOL, grammar, literature, proofreading, public speaking, reading, SAT reading, SAT writing, vocabulary, writing
Test Preparation:	ACT English, ACT Reading, GED, SAT reading, SAT writing
Language:	ESL/ESOL
Special Needs:	ADD/ADHD, phonics
Elementary Education:	elementary (k-6th), elementary science, grammar, phonics, reading, spelling, study skills, vocabulary
Business:	public speaking
Corporate Training:	ESL/ESOL, grammar, proofreading, public speaking
Homeschool:	elementary (k-6th), English, ESL/ESOL, reading, SAT reading, study skills, writing

Elementary (K-6th)

I have recently undergone alternative certification testing in several content areas, one of which was for content area EC-6 generalist. This test measures an individual's ability to work with students from Early Childhood through the sixth grade. My test scores demonstrated that I am of a skill set to be qualified to educate students in this age group. This content area test was administered through the TEA.

Phonics

While in college, one of the electives I took for my major was a course on dialects and accents. During the course of the course I was required to study, memorize, and apply the sounds and symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). I did so with proficiency, and have since had occasion to practice the IPA throughout my years as a teacher of English as a Second Language. Having the ability to utilize the IPA has become an invaluable tool for me as a teacher.

Theatre

I have been a student of theatre since my freshman year in high school. I went on to study acting, theatre history, playwriting, and theory and crit in college, performing in several plays and numerous directing scenes before graduation. Then off to Los Angeles I went where I spent seven years with Long Beach Shakespeare Company as a company member studying Shakespeare, performing, singing, building plays, building puppets and managing the theatre. I am also a playwright, and have written and... Read More

ESL/ESOL

After taking and passing the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test), and along with my Bachelor's Degree in Theatre and English, I was brought aboard to teach English as a Second Language at a private school in Los Angeles. I maintained this position for four consecutive years, working with students from across the globe whose native languages were something other than English. I developed and tailored my lesson plans to the students' specific needs, while simultaneously working to meet... Read More

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