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Experienced Test Prep and English Expert
Karin M.

5.0 (24 ratings)

234 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $54
Contact Karin
Response time: 24 minutes
Karin M.'s Photo

Experienced Test Prep and English Expert
Experienced Test Prep and English Expert
Karin M.

5.0 (24 ratings)

234 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
5.0 (24 ratings)

234 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Meet Karin M.
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About Karin

Bio

I’m a lifelong learner and career educator. I teach all parts of standardized test prep, specializing in critical reading and annotation strategies, grammar fundamentals, and effective essay writing for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, ISEE, HSPT, AP, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, TOEFL, and more. I teach and lecture at universities and learning institutions, where I also instruct public speaking, theater and improvisation, plus marketing and public relations. I customize holistic study plans with learners and...

I’m a lifelong learner and career educator. I teach all parts of standardized test prep, specializing in critical reading and annotation strategies, grammar fundamentals, and effective essay writing for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, ISEE, HSPT, AP, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, TOEFL, and more. I teach and lecture at universities and learning institutions, where I also instruct public speaking, theater and improvisation, plus marketing and public relations. I customize holistic study plans with learners and advocates to utilize existing abilities and add new tools to reach personal and scholastic goals, “teaching to the test” and much more. My undergrad degree is in Communications and Theater, with an MFA in Creative Writing, and continuing education training at Stanford, Northwestern and DePaul Universities. I'm a published professional features writer, editor and arts reviewer: read my Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum feature on the American Alliance of Museums site, AAM–US dot org. I edited Perspective design journal and Reed literary magazine, and have performed essays I have written on Chicago Public Radio and on stage.
I know there is no better or crucial, calling than helping kids to find and communicate their voices. I come from a family of educators, and was fortunate to grow up at the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of Natural History, where my anthropologist mom was Education Director. At public TV station WETA in my hometown near D.C., I certified as a trainer with the Sesame Street Preschool Education Project. I have also taught creativity and teambuilding through improvisation to all ages, inaugurated the ComedySportz Chicago summer camps, plus reading and writing for the SAG Foundation BookPALS program, and the Chicago Park District Kraft Great Kids Program. I have also assisted arts marketing clients like Barrel of Monkeys and Kidworks Touring Theatre with youth literacy programs. And I live on School Street, so all roads literally lead to education for me. Let’s chat!

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Education

James Madison University
Communications
San Jose State University
Masters
Northwestern and Stanford
Other

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $54
  • Rate details: I offer group rates, and special pricing for multiple lessons.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 3/5/2018

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

Business

Public Speaking

Public Speaking

I have a BS in Communications and Theater, and have taught public speaking curriculum, as well as working with ESL/ELL learners on speaking skills. One of the courses I taught was the 20-class Natural Speaker Series, based on Randy Fujishin’s book, where learners practice and memorize Hamlet’s “Speak the speech” advice to the players and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The course includes a communication model, character map, and overcoming public speaking fears while speaking with purpose. Rhetorical tools such as argument structure, interviews and outlines are covered too. Lectures and persuasive speaking are included, as is materials about resumes and job interviews. I’m a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA , the professional union representing film, television and radio actors. I originated, curated content and coached readers for the live lit series “Kill Your Darlings,” and I’ve read and worked with readers at other live lit events as well. Most recently, I spoke at a large community event with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Alderman Harry Osterman and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy; and was a gender equity panelist following Collaboraction’s critically-acclaimed “Gender Breakdown” play. I read “Prodigy on Ice” for “Stories on Stage,” recorded at the Museum of Contemporary Art and broadcast on Chicago Public Radio, and performed my piece “Turner” at Live Bait’s “Fillet of Solo.” I also hosted the weekly talk show “Four You.”

Corporate Training

Public Speaking,

Public Speaking

I have a BS in Communications and Theater, and have taught public speaking curriculum, as well as working with ESL/ELL learners on speaking skills. One of the courses I taught was the 20-class Natural Speaker Series, based on Randy Fujishin’s book, where learners practice and memorize Hamlet’s “Speak the speech” advice to the players and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The course includes a communication model, character map, and overcoming public speaking fears while speaking with purpose. Rhetorical tools such as argument structure, interviews and outlines are covered too. Lectures and persuasive speaking are included, as is materials about resumes and job interviews. I’m a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA , the professional union representing film, television and radio actors. I originated, curated content and coached readers for the live lit series “Kill Your Darlings,” and I’ve read and worked with readers at other live lit events as well. Most recently, I spoke at a large community event with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Alderman Harry Osterman and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy; and was a gender equity panelist following Collaboraction’s critically-acclaimed “Gender Breakdown” play. I read “Prodigy on Ice” for “Stories on Stage,” recorded at the Museum of Contemporary Art and broadcast on Chicago Public Radio, and performed my piece “Turner” at Live Bait’s “Fillet of Solo.” I also hosted the weekly talk show “Four You.”
ESL/ESOL, Grammar, Proofreading

Elementary Education

Grammar, Reading, Spelling, Study Skills, Vocabulary

English

English,

English

I teach all aspects of English, including critical reading, persuasive writing, comparative literature, public speaking, specializing with ACT/SAT/AP and other test strategies. I've taught and lectured at universities, schools and with individuals around Chicagoland as well as in the Bay Area. I customize study plans with learners and their advocates to utilize existing abilities and add new techniques to reach personal and scholastic goals.
Literature,

Literature

I'm an English maverick, Shakespeare specialist (and Bardophile!), and reading comprehension expert and strategist. I've developed a simple reading and annotation system that helps with literature comprehension and retention. Learn to read classics and new works, then write effective and cogent responses.
Public Speaking,

Public Speaking

I have a BS in Communications and Theater, and have taught public speaking curriculum, as well as working with ESL/ELL learners on speaking skills. One of the courses I taught was the 20-class Natural Speaker Series, based on Randy Fujishin’s book, where learners practice and memorize Hamlet’s “Speak the speech” advice to the players and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The course includes a communication model, character map, and overcoming public speaking fears while speaking with purpose. Rhetorical tools such as argument structure, interviews and outlines are covered too. Lectures and persuasive speaking are included, as is materials about resumes and job interviews. I’m a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA , the professional union representing film, television and radio actors. I originated, curated content and coached readers for the live lit series “Kill Your Darlings,” and I’ve read and worked with readers at other live lit events as well. Most recently, I spoke at a large community event with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Alderman Harry Osterman and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy; and was a gender equity panelist following Collaboraction’s critically-acclaimed “Gender Breakdown” play. I read “Prodigy on Ice” for “Stories on Stage,” recorded at the Museum of Contemporary Art and broadcast on Chicago Public Radio, and performed my piece “Turner” at Live Bait’s “Fillet of Solo.” I also hosted the weekly talk show “Four You.”
ACT English, ACT Reading, ESL/ESOL, Grammar, Proofreading, Reading, SAT Writing, Spelling, TOEFL, Vocabulary, Writing

Homeschool

English,

English

I teach all aspects of English, including critical reading, persuasive writing, comparative literature, public speaking, specializing with ACT/SAT/AP and other test strategies. I've taught and lectured at universities, schools and with individuals around Chicagoland as well as in the Bay Area. I customize study plans with learners and their advocates to utilize existing abilities and add new techniques to reach personal and scholastic goals.
ESL/ESOL, Reading, Spelling, Study Skills, Writing

Language

ESL/ESOL, TOEFL

Most Popular

English,

English

I teach all aspects of English, including critical reading, persuasive writing, comparative literature, public speaking, specializing with ACT/SAT/AP and other test strategies. I've taught and lectured at universities, schools and with individuals around Chicagoland as well as in the Bay Area. I customize study plans with learners and their advocates to utilize existing abilities and add new techniques to reach personal and scholastic goals.
ESL/ESOL, Reading, Study Skills, Writing

Other

ESL/ESOL, Study Skills

Special Needs

Study Skills

Summer

ESL/ESOL, GED, Reading, Study Skills, Writing

Test Preparation

Accuplacer,

Accuplacer

I’ve taught all aspects of standardized tests for decades, including the Accuplacer series of tests. This instrument ascertains a student’s readiness for college-level courses, usually curated from the university you’re planning to attend, which can customize exam content to help with college course placement. Accuplacer is part of the College Board’s suite of tests, along with the SAT and CLEP tests, and I have much experience and materials to share in all areas, including arithmetic, algebra, functions, statistics, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, plus writing and editing sample essays. These untimed tests are administered online using computer adaptive technology, and provide instant results from multiple choice questions. Scoring well on the Accuplacer can save time and money by helping to determine the most appropriate college courses upon enrollment.
STAAR,

STAAR

I teach all aspects of English, including reading comprehension, effective essay writing, public speaking, ESL/ELL, marketing and public relations, plus ACT/SAT/GRE/AP/LSAT/Accuplacer/STAAR test strategies. I have a Creative Writing MFA, a Communications BS, teach and write professionally. Read my latest feature “Silent No More: The new Lucy Burns Museum speaks to the centennial of suffrage” at AAM-US dot org. I've taught and lectured at universities, schools and with individuals in the US and around the world. I customize study plans with learners and their advocates to identify existing abilities and learn new techniques to reach personal and scholastic goals, garnering some excellent feedback.
ACT English, ACT Reading, GED, SAT Writing, TOEFL

Examples of Expertise

Karin has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 1 question submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (24 ratings)
5 star
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Reviews

Excellent

Karin was great helping my daughter orientate to what she needed to review for high school entrance exams. She was knowledgeable and shared useful resources and tips.

Suzanne, 1 lesson with Karin
Hourly Rate: $54
Response time: 24 minutes
Contact Karin