All of
Bill’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Bill’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ADD/ADHD
My background and experience as a dianostician has helped me become an effective educator for students who are struggling with attention and distractibility issues. There are a number of proven techniques that have come into wide usage that I have embraced over the years. Although each student is unique in his/her needs, please know that there are ways for all students to overcome obstacles to their learning.
Aspergers
My familiarity with students with Aspergers syndrome is not only from experience (I have both taught and worked with students), but also from my studies (I have a master's degree in special education), as well as assessments as a certified educational diagnostician. I have found that all students are unique and need individual attention to their needs for successful learning to take place. I enjoy the challenge of finding what works with each student, and I welcome the opportunity to help in any way I can.
Autism
My familiarity with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder has been developed not only from experience (I have both taught and worked with students), but also from my studies (I have a master's degree in special education), as well as assessments as a certified educational diagnostician. I have found that each student is unique and, especially with the variability of Autism in each student's case (e.g., severity, level of functioning, etc.) there must be a concerted effort by both parents and educators to find what strategy/ies will lead to successful learning for that particular student. I enjoy that challenge, and I welcome the opportunity to help in any way I can.
Drums
I can teach beginners to advanced. My specialty is rock, but I'm well-versed in jazz as well. The most important attributes a drummer should have are
1. Great listening skills
2. Dependability
3. Steady timekeeping
Dyslexia
As an educational diagnostician, I have tested, worked with, and taught many students who exhibit symptoms of dyslexia. This condition can cause problems with decoding letter symbols, reading fluency, pronunciation, and especially writing/spelling. Although it is not considered curable, its effects can definitely be overcome with practice and perseverance.
Elementary (K-6th)
I've taught and tutored first through 12th grade students with great success. My background in special education has also helped me achieve success with students with dyslexia, ADHD, and specific learning disabilities.
Methods I have used include research-based techniques for phonetics (e.g., Wilson), increased comprehension (e.g., guided reading), and fluency (paired reading, choral reading, etc.).
I am dedicated to your child's success in lifelong reading.
Geometry
Good Geometry skills will help students understand shapes, angles, and solve real-life problems.
Guitar
I have been playing guitar for well over forty years. Although I'm mostly self-taught on the guitar, I have been classically trained on piano and trumpet. I can help students learn how to read music, form chords to accompany themselves or others, play in a band, and learn songs by ear and from sheet music. I have experience in the recording industry, and I still occasionally perform live in local clubs.
Phonics
My background as a special education teacher and diagnostician has given me many opportunities to teach a wide variety of students to read. Basic Reading depends on good phonological skills, and those skills are developed through the effective use of attaching unique sounds to each letter of the alphabet. Certain students with dyslexia find that phonics is difficult and can be the hardest part of their reading. There are many tools available to help students develop good phonics skills. The most important aspects of their successful use is consistency and practice. Over time, the challenges of learning phonics can be met with a thoughtful, patient guide.
Special Needs
My familiarity with students with Special Needs has been developed not only from experience (I have both taught and worked with students), but also from my studies (I have a master's degree in special education), as well as assessments as a certified educational diagnostician. I have found that each student is unique and, with the incredible variety of special needs' diagnoses being discovered, there must be a concerted effort by both parents and educators to find what strategy/ies will lead to successful learning for that particular student. I enjoy that challenge, and I welcome the opportunity to help in any way I can.
Study Skills
One of the most difficult skills to master is the ability to effectively study and comprehend what is being read. For too many students, studying is a dreaded chore with countless preconceived notions about "cramming" in a locked room with a book and a light. Using techniques such as Cornell or SQ3R, studying can become much more process-related with short bursts of energy separated by periods of rest/reinforcement. Each student requires different things to trigger the learning/remembering process.