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Effective Online / In-Person History, Social Studies, English Tutor
Burris D.

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Hourly Rate: $60
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About Burris

Bio

My objective as a Wyzant tutor is to partner with the student, their parents/guardians and teachers as we collaborate on steps to improve subject comprehension, raise test scores, address motivational issues, develop stronger verbal and communication capabilities, sharpen analytical skills, amend study habits and boost self confidence. I specialize in a large age cohort (ages 8 - 17) because of the exceptional diversity of coursework, multiple grade and matriculation transition levels and...

My objective as a Wyzant tutor is to partner with the student, their parents/guardians and teachers as we collaborate on steps to improve subject comprehension, raise test scores, address motivational issues, develop stronger verbal and communication capabilities, sharpen analytical skills, amend study habits and boost self confidence. I specialize in a large age cohort (ages 8 - 17) because of the exceptional diversity of coursework, multiple grade and matriculation transition levels and great need in tutoring to help students as they undertake major steps in their education journeys, adjust to new and sometimes intimidating learning environments and curricula and begin studies in subjects that parents and others with good intentions find challenging as children get older. Of course, tutoring also can take an extraordinary amount of time that is not conveniently available to adults balancing busy careers, family needs and other important responsibilities.

I believe my credentials are ideal for these unique situations. I deliver expert tutoring in the subjects of History, Social Studies, English Composition, Literature, Geography and basic Earth Science. Since November 2018, I have been a teacher and tutor, consistently receiving high scores from parents and students. For Wyzant, I tutored in-person English Literature and gave online classes in English, History, Social Studies, Geography, Science and Technology for other web-based educational services. Presently, I tutor Math, Science and Social Studies online for students ages 7 - 15 for a nationally successful tutoring and academic organization, and teach courses in Earth and Life Sciences, History, Social Studies, Technology and English for an international web-based school for private, public and homeschool learners.

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Education

University of California - Santa Barbara (w/ Honors)
History
University of California - Santa Barbara (Four Year Pre-Doctoral Scholarship)
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: Group Sessions (2+): 1) In-Person - $65/student 2) Online - $45/student
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 9/23/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

American History

American History

In graduate school at the University of California, I led classes in North American and Western Civilization History for over two years. In addition to my formal studies, I am currently well read in American History from its origins to the present day. My library includes scholarly and revered literature on American political, social, military, and economic history. I maintain subscriptions to several intellectual and academic periodicals, such as Foreign Affairs and The Atlantic.
Earth Science

Earth Science

In both education and personal life, Earth Science has always been one of my favorite subjects. I excelled in college Geography, Oceanography and Meteorology courses. I have applied reading comprehension, analysis, topical writing and mathematical skills to Earth Science subjects. My hobbies include Seismology, Meteorology and various types of technology.
Elementary Science

Elementary Science

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education, I had courses in Earth Science, Geography, Science History, and Medicine. In Earth Science, a subject I have studied both academically and as an avocation, I have excellent knowledge in Meteorology and Geology, particularly Earthquakes and Tsunamis. I have strong knowledge and marks in Oceanography and the Scientific Method. In Geography, I gained understanding of hydrology, land mass science, and the interaction between society and the environment. My tutoring will reflect my experience with various subjects of science and love of science outside of school.
English

English

My academic resume has a strong record of English and other Humanities courses that emphasized good writing, strong grammar skills, note taking methods, and excellent knowledge of classic literature like the works and styles of famous authors, such as the prose of Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, and John Steinbeck; the poetry of Lord Tennyson and Keats; the fictional genres of Poe, Lovecraft, and Henry James. As a Tutor, I seek to help students understand writing mechanics, such as grammar, the format of English literature, such as archetypes, main themes, issues addressed or subtly advocated, and the central elements of a story, such as denouement and climax.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

Writing has been a mainstay of my professional and academic experience for over three decades. As an undergraduate and graduate student at the University of California I wrote essays and theses papers covering a diverse range of subject matter, including English Literature, History and Political Science. As a career contracts professional, I developed and wrote major legal contracts, training scripts, and legislative documents. I am very qualified to teach essay organization and structure, types of essays, such as informational or compelling, and grammar and mechanics.
European History

European History

Before beginning graduate school, I accepted a Full Four Year Academic Scholarship for my advanced studies in History. I am well read and expertly taught in European History generally, and my focus was Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. Under the auspices of scholars, I wrote theses and essays that received high marks. I taught many classes in Western Civilization over the course of three years. My tutoring philosophy is to impart a passion for this subject and emphasize the importance of the major events to history as a whole, and their impacts on today's social and political ideas and systems, rather than prioritize memorization of dates, names, and titles.
Geography

Geography

History cannot be understood without a firm grasp of Geography. My courses, for which I received high marks, were not exclusive to the title of the course, per se, but had an interdisciplinary approach, meaning the main topic involved the existence and interaction of many other topics that had college majors of their own, such as Geography, Statistics, and Economics. As a Tutor, I will demonstrate excellent comprehension of the impacts of Geography on Civilization, the science of Geography and map development, the differences and similarities among global societies because of Geography, and the affects of Geography on the historic migrations of people.
Government & Politics

Government & Politics

For three years I led college classes in Western Civilization that involved the topics of Government and Politics on national and continental levels, including the Near and Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and North America. I am well-versed in American and European civil systems and structures, and their interactions with private, economic, and cultural aspects of society. I strive to help students navigate through the complex subject of American civics and the various histories, important individuals, and events in the politics of Europe and the United States.
Grammar

Grammar

In my academic and professional careers, I have produced and edited business, technical, and college documents and papers for proper grammar, mechanics and vocabulary usage. At the University of California, I taught college students term paper writing skills and graded subject essays for three years. As a government and business professional for over 30 years, I edited and proofread the documents written by staff and management.
Literature

Literature

Through university and professional life, I have been an avid reader of English, Russian, Historical, and Classical Literature. Examples of the authors I have read--some more than once--are Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, Twain, Poe, Hawthorne, and Jane Austen. One of my essays on the Russian writer, Nicolai Gogol, was published in a university journal. In addition, I have much experience with non-fiction literature, including scholarly works, political books of international journalists, psychologists and physics professors.
Political Science

Political Science

With high marks in undergraduate political science courses and several years of teaching and tutoring Western Civilization, American History, and British History, I am well qualified as a tutor for a wide range of political subjects. I am very knowledgeable in key political science areas, such as the framers of the US Constitution, ancient political systems and history and European political history. Examples of the famous political and philosophical writers I have read are Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Plato, Machiavelli, Sartre, and the contemporary Stanford scholar, Thomas Sowell.
Proofreading

Proofreading

As a Graduate level teacher, I graded and proofread college term papers for over three years. The subject matter included written exams and topical papers on Western Civilization, British History, and Modern European History. In my professional capacity as a government buyer and contracts specialist, I proofread legal contracts, legislative memoranda and training presentations. I am well qualified to help students produce clean, lucid and compelling essays and papers.
Reading

Reading

From High School, through Undergraduate and Graduate University experience, Law School, Tutoring, to 30+ years of a Successful Business Career, reading in many genres has been a central activity in my life. Perhaps more than anything I do, reading is at the top of the list. Avidly, I have read scores of books, periodicals, short stories, texts, and journals. I have an extensive library organized alphabetically, including such subjects as History, Science, Philosophy, and Literature. My repertoire covers fiction and non-fiction in academic, classical, and contemporary formats.
Social Studies

Social Studies

I earned a Masters Degree in History from the University of California and completed my studies on a full doctoral scholarship. Since my status as an undergraduate, I am well-versed in several Social Studies topics such as government, American civics, politics, culture, geography, and national and world history. My tutorial methodology is first, to discover the student's learning style, then ensure the student comprehends the subject matter and the central issues at hand, discuss note taking concepts, mnemonics, etc., writing about the subject, and finally, test taking skills and recommendations.
Spelling

Spelling

I graduated with a BA (honors) in History and an MA in History from the University of California. As a graduate student, I taught broad college survey courses that required extensive spelling proofreading for the assigned term papers. I also graded the exams and essays of advanced, upper division undergraduate courses. I completed courses in English, Political Science, History and Russian Literature that demanded excellent spelling and vocabulary review of major papers before submission for grading. As a professional in government for over 20 years, I edited technical, legal, and legislative documents for proper spelling and grammar.
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

As an education and career professional, creating compelling thesis statements, following hypothesis development and research, have been intrinsic to my essays and thesis papers. Over a period of eight years in undergraduate and graduate courses, I have written excellent thesis statements for term papers and exams in History, Political Science, English, and Russian Literature. In my professional career that spanned over 30 years, I had to create thesis statements for public speeches and seminar papers.
United States History

United States History

Before attending University, I received high scores on the high school American History AP and Achievement tests. While an undergraduate, I took courses in American History, receiving excellent grades. As a graduate student, I taught courses in American and European history to undergraduates for three years. In a professional capacity, I gave speeches on United States History, emphasizing Politics, Culture, and Social Issues.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

The best vocabulary for specific oral and verbal communications media has been essential to my academic and professional success. As University MA Graduate, both the courses I taught and the courses I enrolled in required a mastery of a wide range of words and word uses, especially their correct spellings. As a contracts and purchasing specialist in a career that spanned nearly 30 years, I edited thousands of legal, training, legislative, and purchasing documents for proper spelling and vocabulary. Finally, my public speaking experienced involved much use of advanced vocabulary in extemporaneous, impromptu, and topical speeches.
World History

World History

World History is one of my favorite subjects, with a resume of success in formal examinations, term papers, essays, reading breadth, and teaching. I have much experience in and exposure to Global Geography, Demography, Ancient History across Continents, and knowledge of world Culture and Religions. My tutoring goal is to help students grasp and mentally organize World History into broad similarities and differences, the impacts of events on a global scale, and the developments of major civilizations with global significance.
Writing

Writing

The ability to write well is perhaps more important than technical, mechanical, and intellectual understanding and practical applications. Along with effective speaking, good writing skills are essential for success in almost all academic and career fields. Avenues of job promotion, highly intellectual careers such as law and economics, advanced academic professions, and the expression of creative thought into excellent fiction depend on the best writing abilities. My resume and current writing pursuits make me the kind of writing tutor ideal for public and home school pupils.
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Response time: 4 minutes
Hourly Rate: $60
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