Paul E.

Dedicated Tutor and Teacher

Dedicated Tutor and Teacher

It is important to know my student first. This helps to establish a good working relationship so it easier to learn why a student is having difficulty in the course and how to help correct things.

When a student comes for tutoring, I have found that there are corresponding difficulties with things such as time management skills, falling behind in assigned work, having genuine problems with comprehension and/or struggling with self-expression through writing. In that case, I follow the first rule of the Roman army which is to Divide and Conquer. We break the area down into pieces and methodically go through them and see how they relate to each other. When teaching or tutoring in history, the inquiry goes: (1) what happened? (2) Why did it happen? (3) Why does it matter?

Students appreciate the quiet, friendly and focused environment of a tutoring session, which I create. Most importantly, there are none of the classroom distractions. The tutor and student can focus on each other and the subject at hand. In this environment, my goal both as teacher and tutor is to see the student achieve a sufficient understanding of the content.

I hold very strong views on the need for good writing skills. Writing is an essential skill that can brand you before you even walk in the door. Simplicity, clarity and ordered expression are the coin of the realm.
It is vitally important to order your thoughts and know what point you wish to make. The guide for my students to “Write because you have something to say; not just to say something.”

I currently teach writing at California Lutheran University which I have done for about the last 12 years. I am a grader for the AP History exams that are administered by the College Board. I have been critically reading and writing for decades as both a teacher and a lawyer.