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Study Skills Specialist Building Confidence and Independence
Catherine S.

5.0 (83 ratings)

335 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $85
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Response time: 2 hours

About Catherine

Bio

Strong study skills create the foundation for a successful student. I teach a series of organizational and study techniques to guide my students to achieve their goals and gain confidence in their work.

Math & English: I aim to make intimidating and confusing concepts more relatable and clear. By breaking down seemingly impossible tasks into smaller concepts, we can pinpoint where a student is struggling in order to reconceptualize the problem and strengthen fundamentals.

Art: At UCSD, I...

Strong study skills create the foundation for a successful student. I teach a series of organizational and study techniques to guide my students to achieve their goals and gain confidence in their work.

Math & English: I aim to make intimidating and confusing concepts more relatable and clear. By breaking down seemingly impossible tasks into smaller concepts, we can pinpoint where a student is struggling in order to reconceptualize the problem and strengthen fundamentals.

Art: At UCSD, I majored in Visual Arts, completing upper division courses and critiques in painting taught by top artists in the field. I also have a strong understanding of art history, various techniques, and guiding natural ability. In high school I took 2 years of AP Drawing and Painting, and TA’d for 1 year.

ADHD: Having ADHD myself, I struggled with organization & time management in ways my peers did not, and teachers did not often understand. I learned to overcome many challenges through trial and error, and I love the way that my brain thinks differently than others'. I have taught students with ADHD for five years, focusing on working memory, self-monitoring, prioritizing, task initiation and organization. By using a student's strengths to support their learning styles, I have helped many become academically successful.

About me: I am a UCSD grad where I studied conceptual and visual arts, concentrating on performance art. I was the Varsity 8 coxswain on the Women's Rowing team, competing at the NCAA level. I learned invaluable skills in leadership, communication, and sacrifice working with my team, as well as how to balance the time consuming sport with work and school. I also love cats!

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Education

University of California, San Diego
Visual Arts

Policies

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Approved Subjects

ADHD

ADHD

I have taught students with ADHD for two years, helping them manage their time, tasks and other concerns. My main areas of focus are working memory, self-monitoring, planning and prioritizing, task initiation and organization. I teach a series of organizational and study techniques to guide my students to achieve their goals and gain confidence in their work. By using a student's strengths to support their learning styles, I have helped many become academically successful. As a TA, I helped students who were struggling to keep up with the course by breaking down assignments into manageable tasks and walking through the processes of researching, studying, and effective note taking. As a tutor, I use these same strategies to help students address obstacles occurring at the root level. Having ADHD myself, at a young age I struggled in academics and time management in ways that my peers did not, and teachers did not often understand. As I grew older, I learned to overcome many challenges through trial and error, but it is still a part of my life. It is the way that my brain thinks, processes and recalls information. ADD and ADHD manifests itself differently in each person, but the common basis for management is simply to rely on some of the same strategies in organization, planning, and comprehension that any student may employ; they just become even more crucial for a student with ADD/ADHD.
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

As a tutor, I aim to make intimidating and confusing concepts more relatable and clear. While math remains one of the most intimidating subjects to many students, it is ironically one of the most straightforward. By breaking down a mathematical topic into smaller concepts, we can pinpoint where a student is struggling in order to clarify that area. Finding a new way to conceptualize a problem and reinforcing the appropriate steps through repetition can make a seemingly impossible task more tangible.
Common Core

Common Core

I have taught Common Core math and English for the last 3 years to students of all ages. Common Core's aim is to set standards for each grade level, and broaden the approaches to what have been standards in learning for years. These new approaches are what seem foreign and confusing to many. However, at its core, it's all the same stuff. All you need a different perspective, and in respect to problem solving and critical thinking, that's really not a bad thing to learn. As a tutor, I aim to make intimidating and confusing concepts more relatable and clear. By breaking down Common Core mathematical topics into smaller concepts, we can pinpoint where a student is struggling in order to clarify that area. Finding a new way to conceptualize a problem and reinforcing the appropriate steps through repetition can make a seemingly impossible task more tangible.
Drawing

Drawing

I have excelled in art courses from middle school through college. In high school I received a 5 and a 3 on my AP Studio portfolios for Drawing and 2-D design, respectively, and was the Art 'Teacher's Aid' for one year.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

Creating a sturdy foundation through the mastery of K-6th fundamentals is an integral part of success through school. I specialize my tutoring to the learning styles and needs of my students so that their academic success begins at a young age, and fosters a love of learning. For four years I taught Sunday school classes and was a counselor at Vacation Bible school for children K-6th. I am also a licensed K-12 substitute teacher, have passed the CBEST, and teach Elementary and Middle school children in San Diego and Escondido. I also have tutor experience working with elementary students on reading, writing, math, grammar, and comprehension skills. I use kinesthetic, visual and auditory techniques to engage different parts of the brain and memory to make learning easier and more stimulating.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

As a tutor, I aim to make intimidating and confusing concepts more relatable and clear. Having a strong grasp of elementary math and the basics helps build a strong foundation for all subsequent mathematics. While math remains one of the most intimidating subjects to many young students, it is ironically one of the most straightforward. By breaking down a mathematical topic into smaller concepts, we can pinpoint where a student is struggling in order to clarify that area. Finding a new way to conceptualize a problem and reinforcing the appropriate steps through repetition can make a seemingly impossible task more tangible.
Elementary Science

Elementary Science

Creating a sturdy foundation through the mastery of K-6th fundamentals is an integral part of success through school. I specialize my tutoring to the learning styles and needs of my students so that their academic success begins at a young age, and fosters a love of learning. For four years I taught Sunday school classes and was a counselor at Vacation Bible school for children K-6th. I am also a licensed K-12 substitute teacher, have passed the CBEST, and teach Elementary and Middle school children in San Diego and Escondido. I also have tutor experience working with elementary students on reading, writing, math, grammar, and comprehension skills. I use kinesthetic, visual and auditory techniques to engage different parts of the brain and memory to make learning easier and more stimulating.
English

English

I teach English and writing by working on strengthening fundamentals such as writing structure, reading comprehension and relating materials and themes. I have professionally tutored English to students of all ages for the past two years, though I began tutoring English my Junior year of high school as part of an honors mentor program. I took honors and AP English Language and Literature throughout high school, alongside other AP's, and had the opportunity to be a Teacher's aid for 10th grade Honor's English and 11th grade AP Language and Composition. I participated in a tutoring program for Honor's students to help elevate their work to the proficiency required in class. My core program at UCSD's Sixth College was also writing based.
Geometry

Geometry

I have taught geometry and algebra for two years. Geometry is more spacial and visual than algebra and to some, one is far easier to grasp. As a tutor, I aim to make intimidating and confusing concepts more relatable and clear. While math remains one of the most intimidating subjects to many students, it is ironically one of the most straightforward. By breaking down a mathematical topic into smaller concepts, we can pinpoint where a student is struggling in order to clarify that area. Finding a new way to conceptualize a problem and reinforcing the appropriate steps through repetition can make a seemingly impossible task more tangible.
Homeschool

Homeschool

Over my years tutoring, I have tutored many homeschool students, and last year took on the role of homeschool teacher for five freshman in English and history. I worked with their homeschool advisor to create a curriculum that satisfied the requirements of the state and their program. Similarly to my work as a study skills tutor, I encourage my students to be independent and problem solvers. I believe it is important for students to learn how to do work on their own. We create action plans together and I assess their levels in confidence, self-assessment, attention to detail, and all foundational elements so that we can work on them and strengthen their abilities over time.
Literature

Literature

From 9th-12th grade I took all honors and AP English and Literature courses. For two years I was a Teacher's Assistant for honor's English and AP Language and Composition, privately tutoring students from both classes. I am familiar with many elementary, middle and high school recommended readings, both from personal learning and through one on one tutoring.
Painting

Painting

At UCSD, I majored in Visual Arts, completing upper division courses and critiques in painting taught by top artists in the field. I also have a strong understanding of art history, various techniques, and guiding natural ability.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I teach a series of organizational and study techniques to guide my students to achieve their goals and gain confidence in their work. In addition to accumulating my own set of study skills, I have also taken numerous courses in communication, and workshops on developmentally appropriate techniques and studying skills. By using a student's strengths to support their learning styles, I have helped many become academically successful. As a TA, I helped students who were struggling to keep up with the course by breaking down assignments into manageable tasks and walking through the processes of researching, studying, and effective note taking. As a tutor, I use these same strategies to help students address obstacles occurring at the root level.
Writing

Writing

I have professionally tutored writing and English students of all ages for the past two years, though I began tutoring writing my Junior year of high school as part of an honors mentor program. I took honors and AP English Language and Literature throughout high school, alongside other AP's, and had the opportunity to be a Teacher's aid for 10th grade Honor's English and 11th grade AP Language and Composition. I participated in a writing tutoring program for Honor's students to help elevate their work to the proficiency required in class. My core program at UCSD's Sixth College was also writing based.
Algebra 2
American History
Biology
Grammar
Physical Science
Prealgebra
Proofreading
Reading
Social Studies
Spelling
Vocabulary
World History
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (83 ratings)
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Reviews

Catherine is just the best.

My daughter was looking to improve her study skills and time management. She is an eighth grader and was having a hard time keeping up with her studies in all subjects. Her school uses a daily planner, but she was not motivated and we were having a difficult time encouraging her. After working with Catherine for the past month, my daughter’s grades, social skills, and time management have improved and she is a happier person. Catherine listens to my daughter’s concerns and works with her to tackle everyday homework and larger assignments. Catherine also sends us detailed reports of completed sessions so we understand both her and my daughter’s thought processes. We would highly recommend Catherine for any student, whether they need a little more homework support or fine tuning of their time management skills. Catherine is just the best.

Sally, 49 lessons with Catherine

Supportive Tutor

Catherine met with my son approximately 10 times in a three-week period to work with him on several large writing assignments. Although she was busy, she made time for him to help him organize, prioritize and fine-tune his writing. She worked with him on research, formatting, content and editing. Twice she came in person and the other times were over Facetime/Google. Each time he worked diligently and each large assignment was completed on time with great quality, thanks to Catherine. We all really appreciate her support and will not hesitate to reach out to her again for assistance.

Tamara, 10 lessons with Catherine

Great Tutor!

Catherine has been working with my daughter for about two months. She has developed a great rapport and my daughter has shown much more confidence in her ability to understand concepts and has improved her study habits as well. Catherine is professional and makes the tutoring session productive while relating on a personal level, sharing common interests with my daughter that keep things interesting and fun. I highly recommend Catherine!

Patrick , 33 lessons with Catherine

Makes learning fun and easy

Catherine emphasized how important it is to get all assignments down in the planner immediately at school, and holds our son accountable for getting it all in there. As they sat in this session and reviewed the homework, she helped him stay focused while he worked on solutions and helped him understand how he was doing, and how to do better.

Luke, 26 lessons with Catherine

Excellent tutor!

She makes confusing topics easy to understand! Catherine helped our son get organized and manage his time better. We saw improvements right away!

George, 4 lessons with Catherine

Great tutor

She is very organized and she helped my son to understand how to study the information in a way he could relate to!

Jodi, 5 lessons with Catherine

She is knowledgeable and worked with my son very well.

She has good communication with students and teaches step by step. Very organized and on time. We are satisfied with Catherine.

Ali, 10 lessons with Catherine
Hourly Rate: $85
Response time: 2 hours
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