Janet S.
Potomac, MD
Harvard Grad Tutors in Computing, Writing and Test Prep Skills
Swarthmore College
SociologyHarvard University
EdDAbout Janet
I'm a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience. I am a lifelong learner, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I have some teaching experience. As a tutor, I tailor my teaching to what students want and need to know. I use lots of examples. I'm patient, and I encourage students to ask lots of questions. I've raised two
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12 hours notice requiredTravel Radius
Travels within 20 miles of Potomac, MD 20854Janet offers online lessons
Janet is approved to conduct lessons through Wyzant Online. Wyzant Online allows students and tutors to work remotely via video, audio, and collaborative whiteboard tools. For more information about how online tutoring works, check out Wyzant Online.
If you’re interested in online lessons, message Janet to get started.
"Wonderful Tutor"
- Sarah, Silver Spring, MD on 5/27/14Janet is one of the most amazing and knowledgeable tutors I ever had. She saved me and helped me pass a class that I was about to fail. She is flexible in terms of schedule; she is driven and a true inspiration. She even worked with me once for 7 straight hours. As soon as Janet understood my concerns, she helped me create a plan to help me stay focused and finish my projects. With her help, I wrote a speech, created a video, did a research project, and wrote reports on various subjects. Janet has years of experience and a great and warm personality. I enjoyed every single second working with her and I recommend her to everybody. Thank you Janet, I wish you the best.
"Great and Wonderful Tutor"
- Afnan, College Park, MD on 3/27/15Janet is such an amazing and lovely person. I have been working with Janet on some basic SAS programming in order to learn coding using a complex data set. She is very knowledgable in manipulating SAS programs and knowledgeable in statistical analysis; she has a really good background on how to conduct good research. I'm somewhat slow in understanding SAS codes and she is very patient in explaining to me the SAS codes and this is exactly what I need.
She is such a warm person, at times when I'm very stressed out, she's very caring, she hears me out complaining about my frustrations and sometimes even cry, but always tries to provide me comfort and tells me "you'll get through this", which is exactly what a graduate student needs. She also has good connections with other people I can contact and ask for help. She gave me really valuable advice and guidance on things to consider on my journey when working on my research. In addition, I really appreciate her flexibility and her accommodations. She agrees on the place your most comfortable to meet, which is very important for a student to learn and focus. I appreciate her punctuality whenever we arrange time to meet. She's loyal and really wants her students to learn and succeed. I'm extremely thankful and relieved that I found her. Its always been a pleasure working with you, and I'm looking forward to meeting you again.
Thank you so much for all your help and effort.
"Very Patient and Helpful"
- Jay, Gaithersburg, MD on 1/5/15I have seen Janet several times and she is very good at teaching computer skills. She recently helped me to modify my resume ,and it's reformatting. It took a couple of hours but she was very helpful.
"Janet is an EXCELLENT Tutor in Helping my Son Prepare for SAT"
- Marti, Washington, DC on 6/8/14I wholeheartedly endorse Janet for her work as a tutor-- not only is she patient, but she understands teenagers. I also liked the fact that she communicated directly with my son to set up meetings, and she made sure that she was available even at the last minute. She worked closely with my son to make sure that he was well informed and confident to take his SATs, going through all types of questions and alerting him to the nuances of the questions that he'll encounter on the exam. He just took the exam on June 7, 2014, and when he returned home he told me that Janet's working with him was very helpful. He prefers one on one coaching and did not benefit from other types of tutorials. We were very pleased that WyzAnt offers such an exceptional educator in Janet. Thank you.
"Great Tutor! Highly recommended!"
- Sijing, Silver Springs, MD on 3/18/14I have been working with Janet for some basic SAS programming in order to started coding. She is amazing! Very knowledgeable about SAS and super patient towards students. She is also a very caring tutor! She is totally not someone who wants to get your money but someone who really wants you to learn and get the material! I highly recommend her! Moreover, she is also a great writer! Her thoughts are very organized, and her writing style is elegant! I think she is definitely the tutor you want to work with, since she will make you learn in a fun way! Love her!
"Knowledgeable and patient."
- Lucian, Washington, DC on 1/3/14We brought Janet in to bring a group of 4 with very different abilities up to speed on intersection of Excel and Power Point. She knows her stuff, extremely patient, and a good sense of what one needs to do move the ball forward. Followed up with instructions on some areas of difficulty with an email. We will use her again.
"Patient and wise"
- Rarita, Potomac, MD on 11/12/13Janet is a great tutor. I asked her to teach me Word, because I kind of am a clumsy user of it. She listens and understand your problem at once, giving the appropriate explanation. She's flexible and doesn't stick to a certain subject if you seem to need to understand a different one at the moment, and she obliges to your list of priorities, if it happens that you have one. But after that she gently and wisely explains to you what other problems would be good for you to learn about. And then, you certainly want to know all about them. She emailed me the PDF with the content of our lesson, and this gives me the opportunity to always review and remember whatever and whenever I'd need something.
"Great Tutor for SAS and Statistics!"
- Melissa, Falls Church, VA on 9/27/13It has been years since I've taken Statistics. Janet's in-depth knowledge of both Statistics and SAS have been extremely beneficial to me as I work to obtain a Graduate Certificate in Survey Research & Data Analysis. She has even developed PowerPoint slides to explain complicated statistical concepts to me in a simplistic way.
"Knows her Stuff"
- Martin, Silver Spring, MD on 9/15/13Janet is an excellent tutor. She is well-organized, prepared, and passionate about what she does. She gave me a clear and thorough introduction to the SAS programming language in our first session, and provided extremely useful guidance on resources for independent study. I'm looking forward to working with her.
"Great Tutor"
- Luann, Potomac, MD on 9/13/13Janet is knowledgeable and is very patient. She organizes our sessions well and sends me handy excel tips after each lesson. She is also good with figuring out difficult excel formulas and gives good advice on how to present the data in excel and powerpoint. I can highly recommend Janet because she has exceeded my expectations.
Approved subjects are in bold.
Approved subjects
In most cases, tutors gain approval in a subject by passing a proficiency exam. For some subject areas, like music and art, tutors submit written requests to demonstrate their proficiency to potential students. If a tutor is interested but not yet approved in a subject, the subject will appear in non-bold font. Tutors need to be approved in a subject prior to beginning lessons.
Adobe Photoshop
I've been using Photoshop since I bought my first digital camera in June 2000. I have used it to edit and enhance thousands of photographs over the years. I have also used it for creative projects such as digital scrapbooking and card design, so I am familiar with a broad range of Photoshop features.
I am currently using Photoshop Elements 10 on a Windows-based PC, but I have used other editions as well. I have an active subscription to Photoshop Elements User, and I am an avid life-long learner, so I frequently pick up new skills from that and from other books and blogs I read.
English
I earned a score in the 99th percentile (verbal) when I first took the SAT as a student. At that time, I had just returned from several years of school in Italy, where I also studied Latin and Greek, and became fluent in Italian and French. Since then, my verbal ability in general, and my English in particular, have only improved, as my academic and professional accomplishments will attest.
I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Swarthmore College and Harvard University, and taught English as a Foreign Language to high school students in West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
In my professional career, I have written hundreds (if not thousands) of pages of complex documents, and reviewed similar documents produced by others. I am often asked to suggest ways to improve such documents. For several years, I also reviewed applications for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science, Engineering and Diplomacy Fellowship Program.
I look at writing from many different angles, ranging from sentence and paragraph structure, to logical flow and completeness, and appropriateness for the intended purpose. I believe that reading is important in learning to think critically, and that learning how to review and edit one’s own work is a key to good writing.
I have kept up with the changes to the test, and I am familiar with the different components of the critical reading and writing portions of the test. As a tutor, I can offer strategies drawn from my own unique experience as a student, as well as those I have learned from others.
General Computer
I have been the Microsoft Office suite on the job since it first came out. I use Word to complete a variety of tasks, ranging from simple memos to complex documents with tables, charts, and footnotes. I am proficient in all of the basic functions, and many of the advanced ones as well.
I use Excel to complete tasks ranging from simple calculations to complex spreadsheets and charts. I am proficient in all of the basic functions, and many of the advanced ones, including VLOOKUP, PivotTables, and importing data from other programs. I’m currently preparing myself for the Microsoft Excel Expert certification exam.
I use PowerPoint to create presentations that include tables, charts, and other graphic elements. I am proficient in all of the basic functions, and many of the advanced ones, including importing data from other programs.
I regularly use Outlook to schedule meetings, to create contact groups or distribution lists, and to share schedules with others in my office. I frequently use the sorting, filtering, and search functions to manage my mailbox.
I am proficient in Windows as a user, not as an IT professional. I regularly use it to set up and maintain my computer, install or uninstall applications and devices, including printers, cameras, and other hardware. I use it to organize and manage files. I create libraries and folders, and use other Windows functions to import files from other devices or memory cards, backup, restore, move, copy, or delete files or create shortcuts. I am familiar with many of the customization features (using themes, wallpaper, adding/removing gadgets from desktop, setting date, time, region and language). I use it to connect to network and manage internet options, adjust sound, display, change battery settings, and set up user accounts and passwords. I am comfortable using it on office networks and stand-alone computers. I currently use Windows 7, and I am beginning to learn Windows 8.
There are often multiple ways to do things in Microsoft Office. My first step in teaching is to find out what the learner wants or needs to know, and what skills they already have. I then use the information to tailor my approach to the learner's specific needs.
Grammar
I have a good aptitude for languages. English is my first language, but I was raised speaking Italian and French, and have also studied Latin and Greek. Studying other languages has trained me to pay attention to grammar, spelling, and usage.
I taught English as a Foreign Language to middle and high school students in Cameroun as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
I have over 20 years of professional experience, and writing different types of documents (including letters, requests for proposal, talking points, speeches, and technical reports) is part of my everyday job. I also review documents for others, both formally and informally.
Italian
I lived and attended school in Italy for 8 years (grades 4 through 11). I read it, speak it, and write it proficiently.
I have some language and other teaching experience. I am certified to teach high school Social Studies in Pennsylvania, and I taught English as a Second Language to French-speaking students (middle school and high school age, as well as adults) in Cameroun when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer there.
Microsoft Excel
I have been using MS Excel on the job for many years. I have used it to complete a variety of tasks, ranging from simple calculations to complex spreadsheets and charts. I am proficient in all of the basic functions, and many of the advanced ones, including VLOOKUP, PivotTables, and importing data from other programs.
I enjoy learning new features and sharing my knowledge with others. I am often asked to help others at work.
There are often multiple ways to do things in Excel. My first step in teaching is to find out what the learner wants or needs to know, and what skills they already have. I then use the information to tailor my approach to the learner's specific needs.
Microsoft Outlook
I have been using Microsoft Outlook on a daily basis since it was first released.
I'm very comfortable navigating the Outlook interface, formatting message content, creating contact records, tasks, and appointments.
I regularly use Outlook to schedule meetings, to create contact groups or distribution lists, and to share schedules with others in my office. I frequently use the sorting, filtering, and search functions to manage my mailbox.
I love to share my knowledge with others, and I'm usually the person my colleagues go to if they have a question about something they are doing in Outlook.
Microsoft PowerPoint
I have been using MS PowerPoint on the job since it first came out. I have used it to complete a variety of tasks, ranging from simple presentations to more elaborate ones that include tables, charts, and other graphic elements. I am proficient in all of the basic functions, and many of the advanced ones, including importing data from other programs.
I enjoy learning new features and sharing my knowledge with others. I am often asked to help others at work.
There are often multiple ways to do things in a software program. My first step in teaching is to find out what the learner wants or needs to know, and what skills they already have. I then use the information to tailor my approach to the learner's specific needs.
Microsoft Windows
I have used Windows since the first version came out in the 1980s, and currently use Windows 7.
I am proficient in Windows as a user, not as an IT professional. I regularly use it to set up and maintain my computer, install or uninstall applications and devices, including printers, cameras, and other hardware. I use it to organize and manage files. I create libraries and folders, and use other Windows functions to import files from other devices or memory cards, backup, restore, move, copy, or delete files or create shortcuts. I am familiar with many of the customization features (using themes, wallpaper, adding/removing gadgets from desktop, setting date, time, region and language). I use it to connect to network and manage internet options, adjust sound, display, change battery settings, and set up user accounts and passwords. I am comfortable using it on office networks and stand-alone computers.
Microsoft Word
I have been using MS Word on the job since it first came out. I have used it to complete a variety of tasks, ranging from simple memos to complex documents with tables, charts, and footnotes. I am proficient in all of the basic functions, and many of the advanced ones as well.
I enjoy learning new features and sharing my knowledge with others. I am often asked to help others at work.
There are often multiple ways to do things in Word. My first step in teaching is to find out what the learner wants or needs to know, and what skills they already have. I then use the information to tailor my approach to the learner's specific needs.
Proofreading
I have worked for the Government for nearly 25 years. A lot of what I do everyday involves preparing written documents. Sometimes I write my own; other times I review documents prepared by others and provide comments. I have written technical reports, speeches, congressional testimony, letters, presentations, and contract documents, to name a few.
I am very flexible in my approach, and I apply different criteria depending on what the document is for, and why I am reviewing it. Sometimes I focus on style, purpose, clarity or accuracy. Other times I focus more on sentence and paragraph structure and sequencing, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, or spelling.
SAS
I have used Base Level SAS in my work for many years for a variety of statistical and database management tasks. I have taken courses to keep my skills current, and I am certified as a Base Level SAS Programmer in version 9.
I taught SAS to graduate students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education when I was a student there, and coached friends who needed SAS programming help to finish their doctoral dissertations.
I also taught SAS to students, fellows, and research assistants at the Harvard School of Public Health when I worked there for 2 years.
More recently, I tutored undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Maryland, George Washington University, and George Mason University in SAS skills ranging from basic applied statistics to SAS graphics and the macro language.
SAT Reading
I earned a score in the 99th percentile (verbal) when I first took the SAT as a student. At that time, I had just returned from several years of school in Italy, where I also studied Latin and Greek, and became fluent in Italian and French. Since then, my verbal ability in general, and my English in particular, have only improved, as my academic and professional accomplishments will attest.
I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Swarthmore College and Harvard University, and taught English as a Foreign Language to high school students in West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
In my professional career, I have written hundreds (if not thousands) of pages of complex documents, and reviewed similar documents produced by others. I am often asked to suggest ways to improve such documents. For several years, I also reviewed applications for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science, Engineering and Diplomacy Fellowship Program.
I look at writing from many different angles, ranging from sentence and paragraph structure, to logical flow and completeness, and appropriateness for the intended purpose. I believe that reading is important in learning to think critically, and that learning how to review and edit one’s own work is a key to good writing.
I have kept up with the changes to the test, and I am familiar with the different components of the critical reading and writing portions of the test. As a tutor, I can offer strategies drawn from my own unique experience as a student, as well as those I have learned from others.
SAT Writing
I earned a score in the 99th percentile (verbal) when I first took the SAT as a student. At that time, I had just returned from several years of school in Italy, where I also studied Latin and Greek, and became fluent in Italian and French. Since then, my verbal ability in general, and my English in particular, have only improved, as my academic and professional accomplishments will attest.
I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Swarthmore College and Harvard University, and taught English as a Foreign Language to high school students in West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
In my professional career, I have written hundreds (if not thousands) of pages of complex documents, and reviewed similar documents produced by others. I am often asked to suggest ways to improve such documents. For several years, I also reviewed applications for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science, Engineering and Diplomacy Fellowship Program.
I look at writing from many different angles, ranging from sentence and paragraph structure, to logical flow and completeness, and appropriateness for the intended purpose. I believe that reading is important in learning to think critically, and that learning how to review and edit one’s own work is a key to good writing.
I have kept up with the changes to the test, and I am familiar with the different components of the critical reading and writing portions of the test. As a tutor, I can offer strategies drawn from my own unique experience as a student, as well as those I have learned from others.
Vocabulary
My formal education ended when I graduated from Harvard University with a doctorate in Education in 1990, but I've never stopped learning and adding to my vocabulary.
I am a native speaker of English, but I received most of my primary and secondary education in Italy, where I studied Italian, French, Latin, and Greek. I am fluent in English, French, and Italian. Vocabulary is key to getting a good score on both the writing and critical reading components. My training in Latin and Greek enabled me to score in the 99th percentile on the verbal SAT, when I returned to the United States for college.
I regularly read both fiction and non-fiction, including blogs on writing and language. I also tutor students who are preparing for the SAT, and play Scrabble for pleasure.
Writing
Over the course of my professional career, I've written a lot of reports, issue papers, abstracts, articles, correspondence, and other documents.
I also frequently written documents of all kinds as part of my work, and provide constructive comments.
Sometimes colleagues ask me to review their work informally prior to submitting it as a work assignment, and I'm always happy to provide suggestions.
I look at written work from several different perspectives, starting with grammar, spelling, word choice and sentence structure. Then I look at paragraph structure, document organization, tone, logical flow, ability to meet a specified objective, and overall readability.
I don't try to address all of these areas at once. I will focus on the areas with which you want help, and prioritize them based on your interests.
Other Potomac, MD Tutors
Janet S.
Potomac, MD
Harvard Grad Tutors in Computing, Writing and Test Prep Skills