Veteran English Teacher Sharpens Student Reading, Writing, Confidence

Heather W.

Hi! I'm Heather. I've taught and tutored writing, English, reading and language arts for over 30 years. I graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor's degree in English and a 3.5 cumulative GPA from the University of West Alabama. I also achieved a 4.0 GPA in my journalism minor. During my undergraduate career, I began tutoring adult literacy in the University writing lab. I completed several quarters as a tutor in this setting. I knew from then on that all I wanted to do professionally was to help people find and develop their reading and writing skills so that they could use these tools effectively to succeed professionally and personally.

I received my Master of Arts degree from The University of Alabama in 1995 with a 3.5 cumulative GPA. During my graduate school career, I served as a teaching assistant who specialized in rhetoric and composition. I also worked extensively as a Student Support Services language arts tutor to help fellow students hone their academic writing skills. After graduation, I took my first teaching job at a local community college. After my husband and I moved to Birmingham in 2001, I taught English composition, developmental English, reading, and American literature at several different institutions in the Birmingham, Alabama, area for the next 23 years. During that span, many of my students used skills that they built in my classroom to gain employment in various professions-- including health care, education, social work, business, and international relations. In June 2024, I was laid off from my position as an English teacher at a small, private university because my former employer was forced to downsize. Literally, the next day, I decided that I would focus my professional energy on tutoring students who need help and encouragement to improve their writing, reading, English and language arts skills.

If I can help you, please reach out. I look forward to working with you!