• Undergrad:

  Beloit College

• Tutors Out Of:

  Chicago, IL

• Travel Radius:

  20 miles

• Tutoring Certifications:

  elementary (k-6th) - English - grammar - literature - Microsoft word - proofreading - reading - study skills - vocabulary - writing

• Tutor's Fee Per Hour:

  $27.00 * with a 10% discount after purchasing $360

Do you love stories? I do--that's why I became a writer. I wrote my first story in first grade, and my first novel in middle school. But of course, that didn't stop me from failing seventh grade English because I forgot to turn in my homework four days out of five.

Today's educational system can be hard, especially for kids who don't learn the way educators expect them to. I was diagnosed with ADD in first grade, and I've spent my entire educational career learning to deal with it. These days it's my greatest strength--it's where I get my creativity, my empathy, my energy and my focus. It has also given me a personal view of the difficulties facing kids with non-traditional learning styles. If someone is having trouble in school, chances are it's not because they're stupid or lazy--the information just isn't being presented to them in a way that makes sense.

My job as a tutor is to work with students to find their strengths and talents, and then help them use their unique abilities to interpret the material in a manner that makes sense to them. My specific field is in English--I have a B.A. in Creative Writing from Beloit College, and I can tutor in all aspects of English: from reading comprehension to basic grammar, to advanced composition in both fiction and non-fiction. However, learning, and learning how to learn, is not specific to any one field, and I will be happy to lend my learning expertise to any area in which students may need help.

Teaching has always been one of the great joys in my life, and I look forward to sharing it with you. Thank you very much for your consideration!

Email this tutor in Chicago, IL!

• elementary (k-6th)

  Learning should be fun, but all too often it falls short of the mark. Who wants to stare at numbers on a homework sheet, when you could stare at jelly beans or flowers on the table in front of you instead? Any subject in grades K-6 can be made into a game, and the games will teach students far more effectively than just rote practice.

• grammar

  Now, you already know grammar. You may not know what a gerundive is, but you use it every time you say "X should be done." You may have trouble remembering the precise difference between a verb and a noun, but you instantly recognize the difference between "a run" and "to run." Therefore, learning grammar doesn't involve acquiring new knowledge, merely figuring out the names for things you already know. Best of all, however, once you learn all the names and the rules, you learn when and how to break them. As a writer and a trained literary analyst, I've spent years studying grammar, sentence composition and style, learning not only the rules themselves, but why we use them in particular ways to achieve different effects. This reflection has given me not just a knowledge of grammatical rules, but an understanding of their significance and an intuitive grasp of their inner workings. As a tutor I will impart the sum of my knowledge to my students, in ways that not only make sense and are easy to remember, but which help language itself come alive for them.

• proofreading

  Have you ever played "Where's Waldo," or read an "Eye Spy" book? Proofreading is a very similar game. You start out looking for a specific set of tiny things, hiding in a confusion of text, such as incorrect punctuation, misspelled words, or grammatic incongruities, and every time you find one, it's like winning a little victory. I've written thousands of pages of stories, essays, and letters throughout my educational and literary career, and I spent hundreds of hours proofreading and editing them. I've come up with plenty of tricks to spot mistakes, and I can share those tricks and strategies with my students. Before long, proofreading will be second nature!

• study skills

  Studying doesn't have to be a challenge--it can be a pleasure! You just have to find a way that works for you, while still giving your teachers what they want and allowing you to pick up the information you need. I've spent most of my life finding ways to study that won't leave me drained and frustrated, and I've helped many others find their own ways as well--everything from creating a comfortable and conducive study space to memory tricks to personal incentive programs. Learning study skills that will last you a lifetime is about discovering what works for you on an individual basis, not just doing what other people tell you to do. Studying will always be work, but with the right environment, rewards, and tricks it can be work you enjoy.