English & Special Needs Tutor: Effective, Supportive, Compassionate

Nina Z.

I am a recently retired teacher with valid California Teaching Credentials in English, Special Education, and Reading Specialist. I have a Master's Degree in Education from UC Berkeley. I have 30+ years of teaching experience, mainly at middle school and high school levels. Many of my students had special needs including ADD/ADHD and Learning Disabilities. Others were English Language Learners. I also have experience tutoring college students in English and I have helped PhD students edit their dissertations.
As a Resource Specialist in Berkeley and Oakland, I supported students with IEPs to be successful in their classes. For the last five years before retiring, I taught Reading Intervention classes for students in grades 6-8 at a middle school in Berkeley. Over the years, I have helped countless students substantially improve their reading and writing skills. I can provide references from former students.
Since retiring, I have provided online 1:1 tutoring and writing support to students in grades 5-12 and college. My tutoring experience covers a range of skills and levels. For example, I provided homework help to middle school students, some diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and Learning Disabilities, and also helped them develop Organization and Executive Functioning skills..I tutored a 5th grader in reading comprehension and writing. I tutored a college student in writing.
I love teaching and take this work very seriously. I enjoy working with unconventional or reluctant learners, as well as self-motivated students. I connect well with all types of students, including those who may have struggled in school or become discouraged. My students say I have a good sense of humor and also say, "She gets me." I am confident I can provide expert tutoring support to students with diverse needs.