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James P.

Writing Teacher, Linguist, and History of World Thought

Writing Teacher, Linguist, and History of World Thought

$63/hour

5.0 (186 ratings)

  • 493 hours tutoring

  • Nob Hill San Francisco, CA 94109

About James

Bio

With the 2010-2011 school year, Mr. P celebrated his twentieth year as a teacher with the Alameda Unified School District and twenty-two years in the profession, having taught in both high school and middle school. A former Teacher of the Year, now retired from the Alameda Unified School District, he is so glad to be able to continue working with students as a private tutor.

He currently holds four valid California Single-Subject Teaching Credentials in French, History, English, and Latin,...

With the 2010-2011 school year, Mr. P celebrated his twentieth year as a teacher with the Alameda Unified School District and twenty-two years in the profession, having taught in both high school and middle school. A former Teacher of the Year, now retired from the Alameda Unified School District, he is so glad to be able to continue working with students as a private tutor.

He currently holds four valid California Single-Subject Teaching Credentials in French, History, English, and Latin, as well as an elementary Multi-Subject Credential.

His philosophy of education maintains that feeling like one is an equal part of a Community of Learners with a teacher is how learning takes place. Feeling safe enough to risk doing something outside each one's safety zone is how learning takes place best.

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Education

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Classical Studies
San Francisco State University
Masters
California Teaching Credentials (5)
Other

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $63
  • Rate details: Beginning on January 15th, 2019, new WyzAnt rules will require me to adjust my hourly rate to $63 per hour. Group rates are negotiable.
  • Lesson cancellation: 3 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Subjects

Art

Art History

Art History

Holding a valid California single-subject credential in history I have taught European history and history of thought, linking the various art epochs from medieval times through the Industrial Revolution to and with historical events, with extensive knowledge of the history of photography

Business

Microsoft PowerPoint,

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint is fun way to make clear and precise presentations of information of whatever kind. I have used this application hundreds of times in 20 years of education and social work. This more complex presentations can include music and text animations. I can help you make them full of impact yet not overly elaborate.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

I have been a practicing poet in San Francisco over the decades; I have also been a classical music DJ and appeared on radio and television representing the Independent Living Movement where disabled folks learn to help themselves. I just retired from a 22-year teaching career and have planned an after-school program on debate and speech making, everything from annunciation to speech writing style.

Computer

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint is fun way to make clear and precise presentations of information of whatever kind. I have used this application hundreds of times in 20 years of education and social work. This more complex presentations can include music and text animations. I can help you make them full of impact yet not overly elaborate.

Corporate Training

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
French,

French

I am excellent with beginning students. I have a knack for getting good French pronunciation from beginners and have fun with those who are just exploring their knowledge of the language since I offer much information on French history, art and music.
Grammar,

Grammar

Grammar makes sentences "work." Without it, we cannot make our points, get our ideas across, or make a reader understand our meaning. This is really why grammar is so important. I have taught writing to high school and middle school students for over 20 years, using a variety of approaches for arriving at both understanding and correct usage.
Latin,

Latin

Latin is a complex but rewarding language to learn. Like computer programming, it requires every word to be correctly in place for sentences to work, to make sense. My global linguistics approach teaches students how the language "works" before getting into the details.
Microsoft PowerPoint,

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint is fun way to make clear and precise presentations of information of whatever kind. I have used this application hundreds of times in 20 years of education and social work. This more complex presentations can include music and text animations. I can help you make them full of impact yet not overly elaborate.
Proofreading,

Proofreading

No one can catch everything about grammar, punctuation, and spelling in a work of writing. But knowing Latin and having taught English grammar for years in high school and middle school, I can scan a page and spot errors pretty quickly. Having worked for newspapers and having to face print deadlines, I can work fairly fast as well. Outcome: coherent, grammatical prose!
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

I have been a practicing poet in San Francisco over the decades; I have also been a classical music DJ and appeared on radio and television representing the Independent Living Movement where disabled folks learn to help themselves. I just retired from a 22-year teaching career and have planned an after-school program on debate and speech making, everything from annunciation to speech writing style.

Elementary Education

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I hold a valid California multiple-subject credential which is required for elementary education. I have just retired after a 22-year career in the schools of Alameda, California. I am very knowledgeable about paragraph writing, as well as grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Grammar,

Grammar

Grammar makes sentences "work." Without it, we cannot make our points, get our ideas across, or make a reader understand our meaning. This is really why grammar is so important. I have taught writing to high school and middle school students for over 20 years, using a variety of approaches for arriving at both understanding and correct usage.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the basis of so much, once elementary education is left behind! It becomes a matter of reading "for" content, the basis for acquisition of knowledge by means of vocabulary and speed of access to the text. But reading fiction and non-fiction requires two different sets of skills. These can be taught!
Study Skills

Study Skills

I currently hold four California single-subject credentials as well as a valid multiple-subject credential. I have just retired from teaching both high school and middle school. I can both plan a study skills program based on a first-meeting evaluation and also fill-in as necessary any deficits which appear in a student's profile--from grammar, punctuation and spelling to vocabulary.

English

ACT English,

ACT English

ACT English is about understanding the basics of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. It's about understanding how "particles" of language like adverbs and conjunctions help create transitions from one idea to another as we express ourselves in logical and subtle ways.
English,

English

English as a course of study involves both grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as well as techniques for thinking about and responding to literature in essays and other forms. Appreciation of our language as reader and writer and speaker makes up a complete English student.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
Grammar,

Grammar

Grammar makes sentences "work." Without it, we cannot make our points, get our ideas across, or make a reader understand our meaning. This is really why grammar is so important. I have taught writing to high school and middle school students for over 20 years, using a variety of approaches for arriving at both understanding and correct usage.
Literature,

Literature

Literature is a vast field and involves both knowledge of the text, its historical context, as well as techniques for approaching literary form. As a retired teacher with over 20 years' experience, I have led discussions, helped students create writing prompts, created ways of entering long works of literature without stress, and taught ways to write about works of world literature.
Proofreading,

Proofreading

No one can catch everything about grammar, punctuation, and spelling in a work of writing. But knowing Latin and having taught English grammar for years in high school and middle school, I can scan a page and spot errors pretty quickly. Having worked for newspapers and having to face print deadlines, I can work fairly fast as well. Outcome: coherent, grammatical prose!
Public Speaking,

Public Speaking

I have been a practicing poet in San Francisco over the decades; I have also been a classical music DJ and appeared on radio and television representing the Independent Living Movement where disabled folks learn to help themselves. I just retired from a 22-year teaching career and have planned an after-school program on debate and speech making, everything from annunciation to speech writing style.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the basis of so much, once elementary education is left behind! It becomes a matter of reading "for" content, the basis for acquisition of knowledge by means of vocabulary and speed of access to the text. But reading fiction and non-fiction requires two different sets of skills. These can be taught!
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Careful reading can take time: test reading requires certain skills to understand how to reach comprehension in the least amount of time. As a now-retired teacher of high school and middle school students, I have trained several generations in techniques to achieve both speed and accuracy in tests of reading.
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

A twenty-year academic professional, I was Teacher of the Year in the Alameda Unified School District. My students excelled in writing after completing their year with me. If anything, I know how to prepare writers, being one myself!
Writing

Writing

Writing is 25% inspiration and 75% technique. I have taught writing in high school and middle school for more than 20 years. I can offer the how to as well as how to generate ideas for what to write about!

History

Art History,

Art History

Holding a valid California single-subject credential in history I have taught European history and history of thought, linking the various art epochs from medieval times through the Industrial Revolution to and with historical events, with extensive knowledge of the history of photography
Classics,

Classics

I have a BA in Classics with a major in Latin and a minor in Greek from the University of Michigan. I hold a valid California single-subject teaching credential in Latin. I have taught Roman art and history for many years.
European History,

European History

Well versed in ancient and early modern European history well though the Industrial Revolution, also in history of ideas relevant to these times.
Geography,

Geography

Knowledge of how weather, water, and land masses interact is the basis for understanding why and how much of history as taken place. Knowing the correct names for places is the basis for knowledgeable discussion. Political geography helps us to understand the effect of humans upon the planet. I have taught history and geography for over 20 years and have many tricks and games for learning what is necessary to be competent in this field.
Music History,

Music History

A former classical music DJ and holding a valid California single-subject history credential, I have taught world history incorporating the musical arts for many years. My students have heard everything from Gregorian chant to the call to prayer from the minaret. Now retired, I continue to try to understand the links between music and the history of thought.
Philosophy,

Philosophy

I am both a writer and teacher well-versed in 20th-century philosophy. I have taught the rise of science in the Renaissance and its concurrent thought revolution in the Reformation. I have used the work of Heidegger extensively in my own work available on the internet. I am much more knowledgeable about continental philosophy than analytic philosophy. I can help frame the history of philosophy as its main currents have changed over the decades.
World History,

World History

World history is knowledge of how the future and the present come out of the past. I have focused as a teacher for over 20 years on the period 500-1500 AD, all over the world: from the rise of Islam to the world of post-Han China, from the European Renaissance to the peoples of Meso-America. I have developed strategies to help students understand why events take place, beyond the mere facts and dates themselves.
American History

Homeschool

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I hold a valid California multiple-subject credential which is required for elementary education. I have just retired after a 22-year career in the schools of Alameda, California. I am very knowledgeable about paragraph writing, as well as grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
English,

English

English as a course of study involves both grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as well as techniques for thinking about and responding to literature in essays and other forms. Appreciation of our language as reader and writer and speaker makes up a complete English student.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
French,

French

I am excellent with beginning students. I have a knack for getting good French pronunciation from beginners and have fun with those who are just exploring their knowledge of the language since I offer much information on French history, art and music.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the basis of so much, once elementary education is left behind! It becomes a matter of reading "for" content, the basis for acquisition of knowledge by means of vocabulary and speed of access to the text. But reading fiction and non-fiction requires two different sets of skills. These can be taught!
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Careful reading can take time: test reading requires certain skills to understand how to reach comprehension in the least amount of time. As a now-retired teacher of high school and middle school students, I have trained several generations in techniques to achieve both speed and accuracy in tests of reading.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I currently hold four California single-subject credentials as well as a valid multiple-subject credential. I have just retired from teaching both high school and middle school. I can both plan a study skills program based on a first-meeting evaluation and also fill-in as necessary any deficits which appear in a student's profile--from grammar, punctuation and spelling to vocabulary.
Writing

Writing

Writing is 25% inspiration and 75% technique. I have taught writing in high school and middle school for more than 20 years. I can offer the how to as well as how to generate ideas for what to write about!

Language

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
French,

French

I am excellent with beginning students. I have a knack for getting good French pronunciation from beginners and have fun with those who are just exploring their knowledge of the language since I offer much information on French history, art and music.
Latin

Latin

Latin is a complex but rewarding language to learn. Like computer programming, it requires every word to be correctly in place for sentences to work, to make sense. My global linguistics approach teaches students how the language "works" before getting into the details.

Most Popular

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I hold a valid California multiple-subject credential which is required for elementary education. I have just retired after a 22-year career in the schools of Alameda, California. I am very knowledgeable about paragraph writing, as well as grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
English,

English

English as a course of study involves both grammar, punctuation, and spelling, as well as techniques for thinking about and responding to literature in essays and other forms. Appreciation of our language as reader and writer and speaker makes up a complete English student.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
French,

French

I am excellent with beginning students. I have a knack for getting good French pronunciation from beginners and have fun with those who are just exploring their knowledge of the language since I offer much information on French history, art and music.
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the basis of so much, once elementary education is left behind! It becomes a matter of reading "for" content, the basis for acquisition of knowledge by means of vocabulary and speed of access to the text. But reading fiction and non-fiction requires two different sets of skills. These can be taught!
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I currently hold four California single-subject credentials as well as a valid multiple-subject credential. I have just retired from teaching both high school and middle school. I can both plan a study skills program based on a first-meeting evaluation and also fill-in as necessary any deficits which appear in a student's profile--from grammar, punctuation and spelling to vocabulary.
Writing

Writing

Writing is 25% inspiration and 75% technique. I have taught writing in high school and middle school for more than 20 years. I can offer the how to as well as how to generate ideas for what to write about!

Music

Music History

Music History

A former classical music DJ and holding a valid California single-subject history credential, I have taught world history incorporating the musical arts for many years. My students have heard everything from Gregorian chant to the call to prayer from the minaret. Now retired, I continue to try to understand the links between music and the history of thought.

Other

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
Geography,

Geography

Knowledge of how weather, water, and land masses interact is the basis for understanding why and how much of history as taken place. Knowing the correct names for places is the basis for knowledgeable discussion. Political geography helps us to understand the effect of humans upon the planet. I have taught history and geography for over 20 years and have many tricks and games for learning what is necessary to be competent in this field.
Philosophy,

Philosophy

I am both a writer and teacher well-versed in 20th-century philosophy. I have taught the rise of science in the Renaissance and its concurrent thought revolution in the Reformation. I have used the work of Heidegger extensively in my own work available on the internet. I am much more knowledgeable about continental philosophy than analytic philosophy. I can help frame the history of philosophy as its main currents have changed over the decades.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I currently hold four California single-subject credentials as well as a valid multiple-subject credential. I have just retired from teaching both high school and middle school. I can both plan a study skills program based on a first-meeting evaluation and also fill-in as necessary any deficits which appear in a student's profile--from grammar, punctuation and spelling to vocabulary.

Science

Philosophy

Philosophy

I am both a writer and teacher well-versed in 20th-century philosophy. I have taught the rise of science in the Renaissance and its concurrent thought revolution in the Reformation. I have used the work of Heidegger extensively in my own work available on the internet. I am much more knowledgeable about continental philosophy than analytic philosophy. I can help frame the history of philosophy as its main currents have changed over the decades.

Special Needs

Study Skills

Study Skills

I currently hold four California single-subject credentials as well as a valid multiple-subject credential. I have just retired from teaching both high school and middle school. I can both plan a study skills program based on a first-meeting evaluation and also fill-in as necessary any deficits which appear in a student's profile--from grammar, punctuation and spelling to vocabulary.

Summer

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I hold a valid California multiple-subject credential which is required for elementary education. I have just retired after a 22-year career in the schools of Alameda, California. I am very knowledgeable about paragraph writing, as well as grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

Learning a second language is part knowledge and part comfort level with taking risks--in making mistakes and yet just keeping going. My knowledge of world languages, my expertise at grammar, punctuation, and spelling in English make me someone who appreciates how hard English is to learn and to speak colloquially.
French,

French

I am excellent with beginning students. I have a knack for getting good French pronunciation from beginners and have fun with those who are just exploring their knowledge of the language since I offer much information on French history, art and music.
GED,

GED

A GED is the ticket to many higher levels of success, including higher education or entrance to the world of work. Certain basic skills are necessary for success in either realm. GED prep relies on your whole education to fine tune those areas where you are weaker and to polish your strengths. No one needs to score 100% to pass this test. No one cares--only that you have received the certificate!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is the basis of so much, once elementary education is left behind! It becomes a matter of reading "for" content, the basis for acquisition of knowledge by means of vocabulary and speed of access to the text. But reading fiction and non-fiction requires two different sets of skills. These can be taught!
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I currently hold four California single-subject credentials as well as a valid multiple-subject credential. I have just retired from teaching both high school and middle school. I can both plan a study skills program based on a first-meeting evaluation and also fill-in as necessary any deficits which appear in a student's profile--from grammar, punctuation and spelling to vocabulary.
Writing

Writing

Writing is 25% inspiration and 75% technique. I have taught writing in high school and middle school for more than 20 years. I can offer the how to as well as how to generate ideas for what to write about!

Test Preparation

ACT English,

ACT English

ACT English is about understanding the basics of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. It's about understanding how "particles" of language like adverbs and conjunctions help create transitions from one idea to another as we express ourselves in logical and subtle ways.
CBEST,

CBEST

I have just retired from teaching in California after 22 years, having passed the CBEST myself. In addition, I worked for several years as a Mentor teacher on various projects. As well, I served as a BTSA Mentor for first- and second-year teachers who were fulfilling their clear-credential requirements. I have also worked as an Alameda County Mentor for an intern teacher who was working and studying simultaneously. All this serves me well for CBEST-based knowledge and experience.
GED,

GED

A GED is the ticket to many higher levels of success, including higher education or entrance to the world of work. Certain basic skills are necessary for success in either realm. GED prep relies on your whole education to fine tune those areas where you are weaker and to polish your strengths. No one needs to score 100% to pass this test. No one cares--only that you have received the certificate!
ISEE,

ISEE

I have four valid California Single-Subject Credentials in English, history, French and Latin, as well as the Multiple-Subject Credential for elementary school. I have just retired as a 22-year veteran in middle school and high school. I have served on Writing Testing committees within my school district, both scoring tests and writing prompts for testing. I have administered Princeton-based tests in my younger days through UCLA.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

Careful reading can take time: test reading requires certain skills to understand how to reach comprehension in the least amount of time. As a now-retired teacher of high school and middle school students, I have trained several generations in techniques to achieve both speed and accuracy in tests of reading.
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

A twenty-year academic professional, I was Teacher of the Year in the Alameda Unified School District. My students excelled in writing after completing their year with me. If anything, I know how to prepare writers, being one myself!
SSAT

SSAT

Having taught at both middle schools and high schools, I know what lies ahead for most students as the degree of difficulty increases. I have experience tutoring the ISEE and SSAT but also have worked with many students on the Writing and Vocabulary portions of the SAT tests over many years of service.

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (186 ratings)
5 star
(178)
4 star
(8)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Show reviews that mention

All reviews engaging prepared amazing creative skill

Featured review

Efficient, enthusiastic tutor

My son, a high school senior, needed work on his writing skills, primarily for the SAT but also in general. I wanted to prepare him for college level writing and a private tutor is very helpful to develop these skills. Jim was great working with him and his vast experience as an English teacher really shows. Jim began the first lesson with a solid assessment of my son's skills. Jim's lessons were quick paced (high school boys can be easily bored) and he gave solid techniques to my son for thinking his way through writing prompts to come up with appropriate content for the essay. He had a very organized, step by step approach for improving writing style as well. I highly recommend Jim to anyone who wants an experienced, engaging and perceptive writing tutor!

Eileen, 17 lessons with James

Very happy with James

James is coming twice a week and we are very happy we found him via Wyzant. He is very well prepared, understands our daughter's personality and makes great progress with her.

Hanno, 13 lessons with James

Great tutor!

James has an excellent and effective teaching style. My son was struggling with the concept of essay structure, and James helped him figure it out in just one session.

Jonn, 1 lesson with James

Patient and experienced tutoring

James is very experienced and patient. He help my son improve a lot before his SSAT test. He always gives him some valuable advice to help him to have a better plan to study and very good follow up for next class. He is very passion for teaching kids and make study having more fun.

Jennifer , 53 lessons with James

Well versed tutor

Today I had my first lesson with James and It could not go better. He is very patient and well versed. He told me clearly what my mistakes are and we started working on them quickly. He was very helpful. And we have just schedule our next lesson!!

Maria, 5 lessons with James

Super Tutor and All-Around Expert

James provided SSAT tutoring for our son, and even though after a few sessions James said our son would be fine and did not need to continue, our son asked to keep meeting with him - testament to a super tutor. As a bonus, we were also happy James was also great at coaching our son with interviewing.

Patrick, 6 lessons with James

Efficient Teacher

He was very good, as he came up with strategies that worked for my son (like which order the questions he should answer first) as well as helping him find his weak points and then working on them through drilling.

Elaine, 1 lesson with James

Accomplished A Lot In A Short Period Of Time...

James helped my son zero in on the strategies he will need to construct a successful university research paper under very challenging time constraints. My son felt this first session was extremely helpful and looks forward to future sessions with James to prepare for university in the fall.

Emily, 3 lessons with James

Inspiring & helpful...

James taught me how to map out & organize my thoughts in order to create an informational & well written essay. He also taught about sentence structures & the rules that apply to them in just one session!

Stephanie , 7 lessons with James

Excellent tutor!

Jim did a great job in teaching writing strategies. He set-up a framework that my son could use in structuring his thoughts and ideas. We also worked on writing five-paragraph essays. Jim was an excellent fit for our son - he kept him engaged and motivated through the many sessions that we had with him. I would highly recommend Jim.

Uzma, 8 lessons with James
Contact James

Response time: 4 hours

$63/hour

James P.

$63/hour

  • No subscriptions or upfront payments

  • Only pay for the time you need

  • Find the right fit, or your first hour is free

Contact James

Response time: 4 hours