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Writing Teacher, Linguist, and History of World Thought
James P.

5.0 (1,082 ratings)

3,857 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $65
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Response time: 6 hours

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
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $65
  • Rate details: Beginning on August 1, 2022, I will adjust my hourly rate to $67 per hour due to continued inflation and overhead charges before I am paid. 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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Approved Subjects

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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
American History
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Response time: 6 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (1,082 ratings)
5 star
(1,068)
4 star
(11)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(2)

Reviews

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

Excellent tutor

James has given me a such strong foundation in Latin since us starting in September 2025. He is intuitive in how each student learns to help tailor certain methods to help you succeed and form skills. I am 27 years old and am going back to school where Latin will be taught and I know with the teaching already and the future of our lessons, that I will be more than ready. He is willing to work around Job scheduling and time zones to help out those who are in that position. He makes the learning of Latin feel exciting and rewarding. Whether you're a high school student, or in adulthood looking to learn Latin, I highly recommend James to be your choice.

Jacob, 15 lessons with James

Excellent Tutor

James has been a wonderful English tutor for our teenager. He knows how to challenge just the right amount, and we’ve really seen the progress. We’re grateful for his support and highly recommend him.

Alesia, 14 lessons with James

knowledgeable and well prepared tutor

Jim always prepares before tutoring my two kids on SSAT verbal and reading comprehension. After each session, he would write summary of each's kid's progress. That's really helpful for kid's assessment of their readiness for SSAT! Jim also assigns reasonable amount of homework after each session. That helps my two kids to retain the new words learned from tutoring sessions. Excellent tutor!

Fred, 12 lessons with James

absolutely unacceptable attitude

Shocked to see all the positive reviews. This isn't about his teaching style rather it's about the way James handled scheduling a first lesson. Apparently he only works through zoom and doesn't use Wyzant, the very platform we found him on. In the email, he said I will send you zoom link without mentioning that make sure you only log in through zoom. I guess he doesn't realize that when we schedule a tutoring session through wyzant, they also send a link to join the session and daily reminders with the same link to log in. So my son logged in through email link and apparently James logges in through his private zoom. After 3 min James wrote that he is going to wait another 5 min and charge me cancellation fee, to which I told him that my kid logged in a minute earlier and waiting for the session. Instead of logging in, he cancelled the session and charged a cancellation fee! No where in his emails it said he must log in through my private zoom link, I actually checked all his emails. So instead of actually admitting that there was clearly a misunderstanding, he very rudely told me that I should take it up with Wyzant and never contact him again! Hmmm, wonder if he really thought after all the miscommunication, I would actually find him a good match? Also he went ahead and scheduled my son for many many lessons even before we had a first lesson with him. I founded it very unprofessional, odd and desperate? I never gave him a permission to book follow up lessons without having a first lesson and seeing if he is a good match. With that rude and unprofessional attitude absolutely shocked about his positive reviews. Quite shocked to see he also doesn't have a background check on file.

Christina , 1 lesson with James
Tutor responded:

Sour grapes for misunderstanding clear instructions. I waited for her, sent an email to remind her about my using Zoom, and then waited some more. She even acknowledged with a "Thank you" receipt of the Zoom link? What more could I have done? J. Peters

Best Tutor

A great tutor for a high schooler struggling with writing would provide the proper guidance and practice to build their confidence and help them develop into a skilled writer.

Madhavi, 38 lessons with James

Highly Skilled and Enthusiastic Tutor

James is an incredibly knowledgeable and patient tutor who helped my son with Latin. He immediately assessed my son's needs and created a plan that addressed my son's confusion and weaknesses. The lessons and practices James provided helped my son develop understanding, skill, and confidence. He is an excellent tutor whom I highly recommend!

RoseMaria, 7 lessons with James

Outstanding tutor!

Mr Peters has been teaching my middle schooler Latin for the last few months. He is prompt, knowledgeable and his lessons are engaging and fun. My child is way ahead in his class and gets straight As. More importantly, my child has developed a love for the language and looks forward to his sessions with Mr. Peters I highly recommend him .

Lydia, 233 lessons with James

Happy learner

My teen has recently started taking classes with Jim with the focus on grammar. They go over SAT samples and continue improving her grammar understanding. She has started proof reading her essays with more astute eyes for grammar which used to be left as an afterthought in the past. She looks forward to her classes and enjoys Jim’s focused approach to teaching. We look forward to continuing classes with Jim and highly recommend him as an instructor.

Naila, 71 lessons with James

James is GOOD!

Needed a language arts tutor for my 18 year old nephew who has never had any proper education (don't ask) and is prepping for the GED. James was immediately helpful and connected well with my nephew and we are looking forward to continuing with him.

Geoffrey, 6 lessons with James
Hourly Rate: $65
Response time: 6 hours
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