Certified ELA/TEFL Teacher | Creative Writing and Essay Support

Jonathan S.

Creative Writing

I hold an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University, where I focused on creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. My work emphasizes voice, empathy, and a lyrical approach to storytelling, especially in personal narratives. I’ve taught middle school Language Arts and now work one-on-one with students of all ages, helping them grow as writers and connect more deeply with their own stories. Whether a student is exploring fiction or creative nonfiction, I guide them through the writing process with structure, flexibility, and care.

ESL/ESOL

I hold the Trinity College London CertTESOL (TrinityCert TESOL), a prestigious Level 5 qualification on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), equivalent in level to the CELTA. This internationally recognized certificate includes over 130+ hours of coursework and a minimum of 6 hours of observed teaching practice, making it suitable for teaching English to speakers of other languages in a variety of settings worldwide. I earned my TrinityCert TESOL in 2004 in London, with a practical foundation in communicative language teaching, grammar instruction, and learner-centered methodology. As part of my continued professional development, I am currently completing a Level 3 TEFL Certificate from The TEFL Academy, with expected conferral in August 2025. This course is specifically focused on online and remote ESL instruction, covering tools for digital learning, interactive virtual classrooms, blended learning techniques, and adapting traditional lesson planning for online platforms. Together, these credentials demonstrate both in-depth classroom experience and modern, tech-integrated training, enabling me to support diverse learners—whether in-person or online—with effective, engaging instruction.

Essay Writing

I am a certified English Language Arts teacher with an MFA in Writing and a strong track record of helping students succeed in academic essay writing, including guiding multiple History Fair students to State-level recognition. I teach all five standard essay formats and place equal emphasis on the drafting and revision process, helping students develop strong arguments, clear structure, and compelling counterclaims. I differentiate instruction to support a wide range of learners and use tools like CommonLit360, Amplify, IReady, and curated resources to enrich student learning. My approach builds both confidence and skill, ensuring students are equipped to think critically and write with clarity and purpose

Fiction Writing

I hold an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University, where my coursework combined the study of craft and literature with intensive workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. I have a particular passion for flash fiction and micro-fiction, helping students distill powerful stories into precise, lyrical forms. As both a writer and editor, I guide students through all stages of the creative process—from brainstorming and drafting to revision and publication. My approach emphasizes voice, structure, and meaningful storytelling across genres.