Search
Cynthia P.'s Photo

Empowering Learners in Reading, Writing, and Italian
Cynthia P.

5.0 (76 ratings)

145 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $50
Contact Cynthia
Response time: 50 minutes

About Cynthia

Bio

Hello! I’m a dedicated educator with over 20 years’ experience in South Florida’s public schools and in online tutoring. My online sessions are designed to mirror the depth, engagement, and personal connection of in-person instruction. My lessons are dynamic, interactive, and tailored to diverse learning styles. I specialize in helping students build confidence and master skills in reading, writing, government, and language proficiency.
My teaching journey has taken me beyond the classroom....

Hello! I’m a dedicated educator with over 20 years’ experience in South Florida’s public schools and in online tutoring. My online sessions are designed to mirror the depth, engagement, and personal connection of in-person instruction. My lessons are dynamic, interactive, and tailored to diverse learning styles. I specialize in helping students build confidence and master skills in reading, writing, government, and language proficiency.
My teaching journey has taken me beyond the classroom. While living in Milan, Italy, I taught English to adult learners and became fluent in Italian. Now I offer bilingual support with cultural sensitivity. I have also taught in the United States at the college level. I hold a bachelor’s in social studies, a master’s in Reading, and a doctorate in Special Education. I’ve guided hundreds of students to academic success.
I'm committed to clear communication, personalized instruction, and nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Whether you are a parent supporting your child’s academic growth or an adult learner working to improve your own skills, I am here to guide, empower, and help you thrive.

Read more

Education

Istituto Universitario di Lingue Moderne
Public Relations
University of Miami
Masters
Florida International University
EdD
  • Licensed teacher

Additional Languages

Italian
Spanish

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $50
  • Rate details: Online group rate: $20 per student; minimum 3 students, maximum 5. Cancellations: Being 15 minutes late is considered a no-show and 1/2 of the regular hourly fee will be applied.
  • Lesson cancellation: 5 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 8/6/2024

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Cynthia hasn’t set a schedule.

We’re having trouble loading this schedule right now. Please try again later.

Approved Subjects

Dyslexia

Dyslexia

As an experienced educator trained in Orton-Gillingham and evidence-based literacy instruction, I specialize in helping students with dyslexia thrive through personalized, engaging strategies. Here are a few ways I can help: • Multisensory Reading Instruction: I use hands-on techniques like tapping out sounds, tracing letters, and color-coding word patterns to reinforce decoding and spelling. These approaches make reading more accessible and enjoyable. • Scaffolding for Comprehension and Writing: I break down complex texts into manageable parts and use graphic organizers to support understanding. For writing, I guide students through brainstorming, outlining, and sentence construction. • Executive Function and Confidence Building: I help students organize their thoughts, manage time, and build routines that make reading and writing tasks feel achievable. I also celebrate progress and use positive reinforcement to boost self-esteem and motivation. Every session is tailored to the student’s unique strengths and needs, with a focus on building confidence and independence. I’d be happy to discuss a personalized plan or answer any questions you may have.
English

English

English Language Arts is more than memorizing grammar rules or reading novels. It’s about equipping students with the tools to understand, evaluate, and express ideas. My approach is rooted in over two decades of teaching and tutoring experience. Here’s how I help: • Vocabulary & Grammar: I use multisensory, evidence-based techniques to strengthen vocabulary and grammar in context. Students learn how to choose their words and how words impact meaning and tone. • Comprehension & Critical Thinking: We break down complex material into manageable parts and build strategies for deeper understanding. I teach students how to actively engage with text by asking questions, making connections, and drawing inferences. • Literary & Nonfiction Analysis: We explore themes and structure. We do a critical analysis of the text to understand meaning, purpose, and the author’s techniques. I help students become thoughtful, confident readers. • Writing: From persuasive essays to narrative writing and research-based projects, I help students master organization, clarity, and voice. We work on planning, drafting, revising, and editing to reach a polished final product. • Personalized Support: Whether a student is struggling to organize ideas, interpret a challenging text, or revise an essay, I provide targeted instruction that builds skill and confidence. My goal is to prepare students not just for the next assignment, but for lifelong success in communication.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I am an experienced ESOL teacher with over 20 years’ experience in the classroom and tutoring. I hold a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate from Cambridge University. I focus on helping students build confidence and fluency when speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. I am supportive, offer detailed feedback and my lessons are always engaging. Here’s how I help my ESOL students: 1. Speaking & Pronunciation Practice o We’ll work on pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm so you can speak clearly and naturally. o I use conversation-based lessons, role-plays, and real-life scenarios to build confidence in everyday and academic communication. 2. Listening Comprehension o You’ll practice understanding lectures, classroom discussions, and casual conversations through audio exercises, videos, and interactive tasks. 3. Vocabulary & Grammar Development o Lessons are designed around your goals (academic, professional, or conversational) so you learn the most useful words and phrases. o Grammar is taught in context, helping you use it naturally when speaking or writing. 4. Academic English Skills o If you’re studying at a school or university, I’ll help you understand your professors, participate in discussions, and complete written assignments. o We’ll focus on essay structure, clarity, and tone to meet academic expectations. 5. Confidence & Communication Strategies o I create a positive environment where mistakes are part of learning. o You’ll gain strategies to express your ideas clearly, ask questions, and engage actively in English-speaking settings.
Geography

Geography

I have taught the social sciences for over 20 years in the Florida public school system. My approach to teaching encompasses everything from fundamental concepts to advanced levels required for passing state tests. I am dedicated to building students' confidence and enhancing their writing skills. I tailor instruction to the student’s needs and offer supportive feedback. I aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the social sciences, especially geography which is overlooked in many school districts, ensuring students are well-prepared and successful. Here's how I help: • Concept Mastery: I break down complex ideas into manageable parts, using visuals, analogies, and real-world examples to make content stick. • Writing: I coach students through structured responses, frequently asked questions, and essay, I emphasize clarity, evidence, and analytical thinking • Geography Emphasis: I give special attention to geography, a vital but often under-taught subject, helping students understand spatial relationships and global patterns. • Test Readiness: I prepare students for state and AP exams with targeted review, practice questions, and feedback that builds confidence and accuracy. • Supportive Feedback: Every session includes constructive, personalized feedback to help students grow and feel empowered. My goal is to equip students for academic and lifelong success.
Government & Politics

Government & Politics

Understanding government is about more than memorizing facts, dates, and vocabulary. It's about learning how institutions shape our daily lives, developing critical thinking skills, and becoming an informed, engaged citizen. With more than 20 years of teaching experience and advanced training in civics education, I help students build a deep understanding of government, public policy, and civic participation through engaging, personalized instruction that makes complex concepts meaningful and relevant. How I Help Students Succeed Build a Strong Foundation in Government & Civics: I make government accessible by breaking down core concepts into clear, engaging lessons. Using visual resources, real-world examples, and interactive activities, I help students understand how government works at the local, state, and national levels. Develop Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills: Success in civics requires more than knowing the facts. I teach students how to analyze sources, evaluate different perspectives, and think critically about important issues involving rights, responsibilities, public policy, and civic engagement. Improve Academic Writing: Whether preparing for an AP exam, writing a persuasive essay, or responding to civics-related questions, students learn how to organize their ideas, support arguments with evidence, and communicate clearly and effectively. Connect Civic Learning to the Real World: From landmark Supreme Court decisions to major social movements and current policy debates, I help students see how historical and contemporary events influence civic life. These connections make learning more relevant, engaging, and memorable. Receive Personalized Support: Every student has unique strengths, challenges, and goals. Whether you're preparing for the AP U.S. Government exam, studying for a Civics EOC, struggling with course content, or simply looking to deepen your understanding, I tailor every lesson to your individual needs and learning style. My sessions go beyond the textbook, using real-world issue
Italian

Italian

Learning Italian is about much more than memorizing vocabulary lists or grammar rules. It's about developing the confidence to communicate naturally, connect with Italian culture, and truly enjoy the language. Having lived, studied, and worked in Italy for more than 20 years, I have native-level fluency and extensive teaching experience. My lessons are personalized, engaging, and designed to help students make real progress from day one. How I Can Help Build a Strong Foundation: We'll start with the essentials: pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Through interactive, multisensory activities and real-life examples, you'll develop skills that stick and can be used immediately. Master Italian Grammar Without the Frustration: Italian grammar doesn't have to feel overwhelming. I break complex concepts into clear, manageable steps and teach them through practical application, helping students use verb tenses, articles, and prepositions naturally and confidently. Develop Real Conversational Skills: Speaking is at the heart of language learning. Through guided conversations, role-playing, listening exercises, and authentic materials, you'll gain the confidence and fluency needed to communicate in everyday situations. Strengthen Reading and Writing: From articles and stories to practical writing exercises, I help students expand their vocabulary, improve comprehension, and express themselves clearly and accurately in Italian. Experience Italian Culture: Language and culture go hand in hand. I incorporate Italian traditions, customs, idioms, and regional expressions into lessons, giving students a deeper understanding of how the language is actually used. Enjoy a Personalized Learning Experience: Whether you're a complete beginner, preparing for a trip to Italy, reconnecting with your heritage, improving your conversational skills, or advancing your proficiency for work or study, every lesson is tailored to your goals, interests, and learning style.
Reading

Reading

Reading is about much more than sounding out words on a page. Strong readers think critically, make connections, understand complex ideas, and engage deeply with what they read. With a Master's degree in Reading, Orton-Gillingham training, and more than 20 years of classroom and tutoring experience, I help students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond. How I Help Students Grow as Readers Build Strong Decoding & Fluency Skills: Using multisensory, research-based strategies, I help students master phonics, recognize word patterns, and improve reading automaticity. As accuracy and fluency increase, reading becomes smoother, more enjoyable, and less frustrating. Expand Vocabulary and Language Skills: A rich vocabulary is essential for reading success. I teach students how to discover word meanings through context, understand nuances in language, and confidently use new vocabulary in both speaking and writing. Strengthen Reading Comprehension: I equip students with proven comprehension strategies such as predicting, questioning, summarizing, visualizing, and identifying key ideas. These skills help readers tackle challenging texts with greater understanding and confidence. Develop Critical Thinking: Strong readers do more than understand what they read. They analyze characters, themes, arguments, and author's purpose. I guide students in making connections across texts, evaluating evidence, and applying their thinking to academic and real-world situations. Personalized Instruction for Every Learner: Every student learns differently. Whether your child is struggling to read at grade level, has dyslexia or other reading challenges, needs support with comprehension, or is ready for advanced texts, I tailor each lesson to their specific strengths, needs, and goals. Results That Last My goal is not only to improve reading skills but also to build confidence, independence, and a genuine love of reading. Through engaging, supportive instruction, students gain the tools they need to beco
Social Studies

Social Studies

In my 20+ years as a teacher in the public school system I have taught US and ancient world history, geography, and civics, or government, at the middle school and high school levels. My teaching style makes sure to incorporate methods and activities that will reach all learners. My students have consistently scored better than the state or district averages in state mandated social studies exams. Here’s how I help students thrive in social studies: 1. Build Background Knowledge I introduce key concepts using visuals, timelines, and real-world examples to make abstract ideas concrete and memorable. 2. Teach Vocabulary in Context I embed academic and content-specific vocabulary into lessons using graphic organizers, word walls, and interactive activities. 3. Model Thinking and Analysis I guide students through primary and secondary sources, modeling how to ask questions, make inferences, and draw conclusions. 4. Use Scaffolding and Differentiation I provide sentence starters, guided notes, and leveled texts to support learners at all reading and writing levels. 5. Prepare for tests I teach test-taking strategies, review key content, and provide practice with document-based questions and multiple-choice formats. Lastly, I strive to make my students feel confident.
Special Needs

Special Needs

With over 20 years of experience in the classroom and tutoring, along with a doctoral degree in Special Education, I specialize in helping students build lasting confidence and strong academic foundations. Here is what you can expect from my approach:
World History

World History

World history is more than memorizing dates and names. It’s about understanding how people, ideas, and events have shaped our world, and how they influence us today. With over 20 years of teaching experience I have helped students build confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking through a personalized approach that makes history meaningful and engaging. Here's how I support students: • Building Thinking Skills We start with the foundations. I use timelines, maps, and visual tools to help students organize information and make connections between events. • Inquiry & Analysis I teach students how to analyze sources, evaluate different viewpoints, and think critically. This helps students understand what happened, but also why it mattered. • Strengthening Writing Whether a student is writing essays or answering document-based questions, I help them express their ideas clearly and confidently. We work on structure, use evidence, and historical argumentation. • Exploring Global Perspectives From ancient civilizations to modern revolutions, I guide students through diverse cultures and historical experiences. We examine how geography, trade, religion, and innovation shaped societies and the world we live in today. • Personalized Support Whether a student is preparing for an AP exam, needs help with historical writing, or simply wants to explore the past more deeply, I tailor each session to their goals, interests, and learning style. I bring history to life. Students explore turning points and historical dilemmas in ways that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.
Writing

Writing

I know how overwhelming writing can feel. As a teacher, I’ve seen countless students freeze in front of a blank page. Now, as an online tutor, I start by helping my students break the process into manageable steps. Here’s how I help: • Planning & Organization: We start by brainstorming and outlining ideas. We focus on thesis development, logical flow, and paragraph cohesion so their writing has a clear direction. • Drafting: Students learn to write with intention. No matter what type of writing, whether persuasive, narrative…I help students develop a strong voice, choose precise language, and tailor their tone to the audience and task. • Revision: We don’t just correct errors. We work on making the piece clearer, more coherent and more effective. We refine sentence structure, enhancing transitions, and strengthening arguments or narrative elements. • Editing for Clarity & Precision: Grammar, punctuation, and how they are used are taught in context. I use multisensory techniques and real-time feedback to help students internalize rules and apply them confidently. • Publishing & Reflecting: Whether it’s a polished essay, a timed writing response, or a personal narrative, students learn how to finalize their work and reflect on their growth as writers

Examples of Expertise

Cynthia has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 6 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Cynthia ’s answers ›
Cynthia P.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Cynthia before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Cynthia
Response time: 50 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (76 ratings)
5 star
(75)
4 star
(0)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

9th grade dyslexia English

My son struggles with writing prompts in his college preparatory school and Cynthia has been amazing to work with my son! He was failing the class before her help and now he has a B. Was also accommodating with our crazy schedules.

Shawna, 16 lessons with Cynthia

Knowledgeable and Patient Tutor

Cynthia is an extremely knowledgeable ELA teacher who connects very well her student (my son). Her engaging style allows my son to be himself and feel confident in learning. I highly recommend Cynthia.

Kofi, 39 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

After each lesson, Ms.Cynthia always provides helpful feedback on both my daughter’s strengths and the areas she needs to improve. This is very valuable because it helps us understand her progress and support her at home. We really appreciate Ms.Cynthia’s dedication and guidance.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia

Wonderful and Knowledgeable Tutor

My daughter really enjoyed her lesson! The tutor quickly noticed her weaknesses and explained everything clearly. We’re very happy with the progress and will definitely continue with more lessons.

Birten, 52 lessons with Cynthia
Hourly Rate: $50
Response time: 50 minutes
Contact Cynthia