Helping Students Raise Grades, Build Skills, and Believe in Thems

Jeffery P.

I help students move from “I hate reading and writing” to “I can actually do this.” I am a middle school English Language Arts teacher who works every day with 6th and 7th graders on reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and study skills. In addition to my classroom work, I am a pastor who regularly teaches and speaks, so clear communication, patience, and encouragement are at the heart of my approach.

I have experience teaching and supporting students in a traditional classroom, in small groups, and one on one. Most of my work has been with upper elementary and middle school students, but I also support high school students who need help organizing essays, strengthening thesis statements, or preparing for exams. Parents often tell me that their children feel more confident and less anxious about English after working with me.

In our sessions, I start by getting to know the student, their goals, and their current challenges. Then I break assignments into clear, manageable steps. For reading, I use strategies like annotation, questioning, and summarizing to help students slow down and truly understand the text. For writing, I guide students through brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revising so they can learn a repeatable process instead of feeling overwhelmed. I give specific, kind feedback that shows students exactly what they are doing well and what they can improve.

My tutoring style is structured but relaxed. I set clear goals for each session and explain the “why” behind what we are doing, while keeping the atmosphere encouraging and supportive. I believe that every student can grow as a reader and writer with the right tools, the right guidance, and someone who genuinely believes in them. My goal is not only to raise grades, but to help students gain skills and confidence that will serve them far beyond one class or one assignment.