Donna Ann P.
San Francisco, CA
Experienced English Tutor: Essays, Term Paper Emergencies, and ESL
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University of Texas, Austin
About Donna Ann
I have been teaching foreign and American students English, essay writing, literature, and
Policies
Cancellation
4 hours notice requiredI charge $32/hr. for tutoring in San Francisco or via Skype. For tutoring outside San Francisco, I charge $40/hr.
Travel Radius
Travels within 5 miles of San Francisco, CA 94109Donna Ann offers online lessons
Donna Ann is approved to conduct lessons through Wyzant Online. Wyzant Online allows students and tutors to work remotely via video, audio, and collaborative whiteboard tools. For more information about how online tutoring works, check out Wyzant Online.
If you’re interested in online lessons, message Donna Ann to get started.
"Very patient"
- Lisa, San Francisco, CA on 8/29/16Donna is very good tutor because she really cares about students. She's there for students whenever they need help. Great to have her be tutor. Thanks again!
"Knowledgeable and Patient"
- Mary, San Mateo, CA on 8/24/16Donna was really informative and very intellectual. She has a great background with the colleges and the types of majors that you should pursue in. Donna is also very patient and very kind. Her passion to tutor other students in their college application process is very evident, and she is determined to make sure each of her students understand the criteria in writing an appropriate college essay.
"Knowledgeable and patient tutor"
- Nat, Palo Alto, CA on 7/4/16Donna Ann taught my son the importance of a thesis statement in an essay by reviewing a sample essay. Very knowledgeable. Also reviewed grammatical errors in an essay. We look forward to more lessons with her and excited to see improvement in my son's writing! Thank you, Donna Ann!
"Good tutor to have!"
- Sau wei, San Francisco, CA on 6/15/16Donna is an experienced tutor who has the knowledge in tackling what her students needs are. She breaks down the steps in helping students with identifying sentence structure and helping them brain storming in summarizing report writing.
"Great teacher"
- Irene, San Francisco, CA on 4/2/16The first lesson with Donna was really good. We plan our way to study to prepare the exam and she motivated us.
"Rating Donna's lesson"
- Leila, San Mateo, CA on 12/10/15I was happy with her work on my essay. She is very professional. :))
"Easy to work with"
- Gillian, San Francisco, CA on 10/9/15She did a great job proof reading my nursing school application essay. She also was very patient with me when I decided to completely rewrite my essay before she finished proofing.
"Knowledgable tutor"
- Michelle, San Francisco, CA on 9/28/15She reviewed some grammar and choices of words with my son. She also demonstrated how to write about the certain topic from the book.
"Excellent tutor! Highly recommended."
- Zhiyan, San Francisco, CA on 1/22/14Thanks so much Donna for your help with changing my resume. I really liked your input. Your advice makes a lot of common sense. I feel more confident in finding a suitable position in paralegal now and am more clear about my career path down the road. Excellent tutor! Highly recommended.
"The best tutor ever!"
- Maria, Danville, CA on 4/2/13Excellent tutor. Having Donna as a tutor is the best education investment everyone could make. Thank you for all your help Donna!
Approved subjects are in bold.
Approved subjects
In most cases, tutors gain approval in a subject by passing a proficiency exam. For some subject areas, like music and art, tutors submit written requests to demonstrate their proficiency to potential students. If a tutor is interested but not yet approved in a subject, the subject will appear in non-bold font. Tutors need to be approved in a subject prior to beginning lessons.
Career Development
I have assisted many students with their college entrance essays for both undergraduate and graduate programs including personal statements to be submitted with their MBA applications. Basically, you need to tell the school why you are unique and what you can add to their graduate class as well as how their program will meet your unique needs. Stating simply that you wish to obtain a degree in order to make more money is not what the school wants to hear. Instead, the school wants to know what unique projects you have previously completed, and how a degree from their university will help you achieve something special. The purpose of the essay or statement is to set you apart from the mass of applicants, and encourage the school to accept a unique and talented individual who will be an asset to their class.
Detailing one's prior work experience is important. If the student is seeking an MBA because it will further their existing career and expand their management and corporate governance capabilities, then these issues should be discussed. If the MBA represents a completely new business path for the student, then their new goals should be described.
Professionally, I have a B.A. from the University of Texas. I worked for many years as a Corporate Paralegal Coordinator assisting attorneys and major corporate clients with multi-million dollar transactions at a major law firm. I also completed business courses in both graduate and undergraduate school. I never finished my MBA because I was able to attain a management position without it. Today, I have my own litigation support business and I tutor students part-time. I am personally familiar with the process of entering an MBA program because I was admitted to such a program.
College Counseling
I have assisted many students with their college entrance essays and personal statements for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Basically, you need to tell the school why you are unique and what you can add to their student body as well as how their program will meet your unique needs. Stating simply that you wish to obtain a degree in order to make more money is not what the school wants to hear. Instead, the school wants to know what unique projects you have previously completed, and how a degree from their university will help you achieve something special. The purpose of the essay or statement is to set you apart from the mass of applicants, and encourage the school to accept a unique and talented individual who will be an asset to their class.
Detailing one's prior work experience is important. If you have done some meaningful nonprofit volunteer work, then your charity work or unpaid internship should be mentioned as well. If you are seeking a degree which will further your existing career or if you are choosing a new area of study and new goals, that issue should be explained.
Professionally, I have a B.A. from the University of Texas. I worked for many years as a Corporate Paralegal Coordinator assisting attorneys and major corporate clients with multi-million dollar transactions at a major law firm. I also completed business courses in both graduate and undergraduate school. I never finished my MBA because I was able to attain a management position without it. Today, I have my own litigation support business and I tutor students part-time. I am personally familiar with the process of entering both undergraduate and graduate schools.
Elementary (K-6th)
When I started tutoring 5 years ago, I worked for a major tutoring center chain in San Francisco. There, I honed my tutoring skills with younger students, and patiently taught them cursive writing, reading, spelling, and basic grammar and pronunciation. I encouraged them to write complete sentences, and made learning fun and interesting while I followed the center's lesson plans. However, I realized that tutoring students in classes of 25 or 30 does not always meet their needs. Private tutoring can resolve their weaknesses and end their frustration. Students are much more likely to admit they don't understand a concept in a private tutoring session than in a large classroom. Younger children can be especially shy and afraid to admit they don't understand a concept. With private tutoring, I can solve the student's confusion more easily.
I also have extensive experience teaching children raised in non-English speaking households. Having studied Russian and French myself, I know how hard it is to become fluent in a second language. Therefore, I have the teaching skills and patience necessary to help students for whom English is a first or a second language.
Phonics
I have been teaching ESL and English pronunciation to foreign students for over six years. Phonics drills, which focus on parts of words and key syllables and their sounds, help the student learn English more easily. Usually I combine phonics drills with vocabulary instruction and grammar in order to improve the student's comprehension and ability to speak clearly. Using phonics flash cards and reading material at the appropriate level for the student help build the student's confidence quickly. I have a B.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Public Speaking
As a paralegal manager for many years, I conducted training sessions for recent college graduates on key topics in the legal profession. I am comfortable speaking in front of an audience, and encouraging others to speak in a relaxed manner. I am also experienced in preparing notes which guide me through a speech so it appears more natural and not as robotic.
In college, I participated in debates. As a paralegal, I have over 20 years of experience assisting attorneys at trial. A good debater and public speaker knows both the strengths and weaknesses of their point of view before they speak. Preparation is the key to a successful presentation. I would be happy to assist others in reaching their public speaking goals.
Study Skills
I have taught students how to prioritize their homework, and how to focus on key ideas and themes when they read textbooks and literature. Focusing on reading comprehension improves not only study skills, but also SAT scores. I encourage my students to use a highlighter as they read,and highlight key ideas. They should also look for exceptions and contrasting theories when they read a text.
In addition, I have taught them internet research skills to supplement their knowledge. I have also encouraged them to evaluate what they read, form their own opinions, and express their viewpoint clearly. Good reading and writing skills provide the foundation for good study skills.
Other San Francisco, CA Tutors
Donna Ann P.
San Francisco, CA
Experienced English Tutor: Essays, Term Paper Emergencies, and ESL