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Patient and Knowledgeable Ivy League English Tutor
David S.

5.0 (278 ratings)

865 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $55
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Response time: 3 hours

About David

Bio

Good day. I'm a veteran at my profession, having just retired after teaching college-bound juniors and seniors for 45 years in Montgomery County schools. The majority of my classes have been AP Language and AP Literature, but recently I've been an instructor in the International Baccalaureate program as well. I have also taught Honors, on-level, and skills-level classes. I am known as both demanding and fair, with a quick wit, an easy-going pace, humorous inter-relationships with...

Good day. I'm a veteran at my profession, having just retired after teaching college-bound juniors and seniors for 45 years in Montgomery County schools. The majority of my classes have been AP Language and AP Literature, but recently I've been an instructor in the International Baccalaureate program as well. I have also taught Honors, on-level, and skills-level classes. I am known as both demanding and fair, with a quick wit, an easy-going pace, humorous inter-relationships with students, and a panoply of techniques and approaches to draw the best out of students. I am never successful unless I can help the student reach the level he or she wants to attain. My students almost always leave my class feeling accomplished and prepared for the next level, with renewed energy and confidence. On occasion I've met students who decided not to supply energy or effort, but in the vast majority of cases my students have markedly improved their writing prowess and their interpretive abilities in literature--as well as their love of the texts and their appreciation of the techniques through which the authors work their magic.

Often in a classroom, time does not allow for the close one-on-one interplay that tutoring provides. I think that the tutoring atmosphere removes the distractions and unnecessary interruptions and burdens that come with living in a large classroom; tutoring returns the focus to a much more concentrated and streamlined working relationship. I should also point out that I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in middle school; my mother was also a teacher and embodied the best traits of that profession: patience, discipline, flexibility, and encouragement. I've also served two years in the U.S. military as an officer, and I've both played and coached high school sports, as well as refereed high school soccer, so I have a wide range of experience working with teen-agers in just about any possible environment. I feel I've been successful in all these endeavors.

I am excited to have the chance to

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Education

B.A. McDaniel College (Formerly Western Maryland College)
English literature
University of Pennsylvania
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $55
  • Rate details: A lesson that continues beyond its stated limit will be pro-rated; i.e, if the lesson lasts 15 minutes past the hour, the extra fee will only be 1/4 of the $45 or $50 rate.
  • Lesson cancellation: 2 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

English

English

I taught for 45 years in Montgomery County as a high school English teacher. I have great prowess in writing, grammar/usage, literature--any area of the English teaching discipline. I work well with all levels of students, and have a calm, receptive demeanor.
Grammar

Grammar

Grammar cannot be taught nor learned bifurcated from literature; nothing deadens interest more than rote repetition of stale grammar exercises. Once an understanding is gained of the rudiments of a sentence--predication, complementation, modification, subordination--the student can slowly but systematically learn the subtleties and richness of grammar--how syntax can unpack the real power of a sentence. By the end of the course, the student will ascertain how the WAY a sentence is written [for example, whether it is cumulative or periodic] not only can enrich the meaning, but can BE the meaning of the sentence.
Literature

Literature

I have written curriculum for both AP English courses, as well as graded the yearly exam in both subjects--twice for AP Literature, once for AP Language. I introduced students to a full range of poets from each literary time period, as well as the major writers of novels and dramas in each period. More importantly, I covered the ideological underpinnings of each period [for example, Transcendentalism] so that the students could understand the choices made by the writers in crafting how their literature was formed and presented, Particular emphasis was given to the syntactic subtleties of each writer and each time period.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Over my 45 years of teaching college-bound students, the need to learn vocabulary has been dismissed or de-valued. I think this movement is criminal, and a severe dis-service to the student. Challenging literature demands a student's complete awareness of the careful selection of words and their literal and figurative range. Learning vocabulary in a systemic and engaging way, based on examples from literature, can become not only a way to increase SAT and AP scores, but can be a gateway into a deeper understanding of the text. I do not teach vocabulary so that a student can pass a test; I work with vocabulary so that through discussion and practice, and a systematic approach, using prefixes and roots, the meanings can be retained and absorbed for a lifetime.
Writing

Writing

I taught in public high schools for 45 years. After about three years, I realized that the writing program was stilted and limited, strait-jacketing students' skills and producing artificial, stilted essays. By having my students read contemporary essays, and understanding the power of their own voice, I showed them how to write more inductively, trusting their own experiences and finding techniques to convey them. We learned how to 'unlock' the college essay topics from major universities and the Common App and Coalition App, and learned how to empower their own voice. On their end-of-course evaluations, my students invariably thanked me for helping them write in a genuine voice while employing techniques that worked.

Examples of Expertise

David has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 5 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of David ’s answers ›
David S.'s Photo

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Response time: 3 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (278 ratings)
5 star
(277)
4 star
(1)
3 star
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2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

great tutor

Really connects well with high school students and understands how to work with them to reach their potential. Thanks again for your assistance.

Elizabeth, 15 lessons with David

Insightful session

David has shown me the meaning of resilience in terms of presenting when it comes to a particular soci-cultural project. And, his seamless approach to my hesitation in writing and speaking never fails. Looking forward to listen to his insights. Best, Jonathan Phan

Thaoly, 155 lessons with David

A solid service

Looking forward to David support and excellence. He does check-in with me and ensure I can overcome my concerns, guilt, and hesitation, particularly in an introductory Ethnic class. I cross my finger to do my best to present my finding for the capstone presentation. Best, Jonathan Phan

Thaoly, 155 lessons with David

great tutor

Really connects well with high school students and understands how to work with them to reach their potential. Thanks again for your assistance.

Elizabeth, 15 lessons with David

A solid service

Looking forward to David support and excellence. He does bring the foundations of literature so that I can apply them to films, short texts, etc. Best, Jonathan Phan

Thaoly, 155 lessons with David

A solid service

David's commitment and patience are unparalleled. His passion in giving feedback to me (aka Jonathan Phan) is appreciated. I hope he enjoys his teaching after retirement.

Thaoly, 155 lessons with David

Wonderful and Superb service

David's commitment and patience are unparalleled. Additionally, he provides wonderful teachings and insights to ensure my confidence stays on the right path.

Thaoly, 155 lessons with David

Great English teacher

My daughter had her first lesson with David, and learned a lot from him already! He is definitely the top expert in his field, and he is very kind too, we are looking forward to more lessons with him!

Yunlu, 3 lessons with David

Very knowledgeable and patient tutor

David was an outstanding tutor and helped my son in AP Lang. Thank you David for your Dedication to helping my son learn difficult topics. Your passion for teaching is truly inspiring. David's clear explanations have made a significant impact on my son's learning and his grades. My son has developed a genuine interest in the material with David's engaging teaching style. I am grateful that my son has an opportunity to learn from him.

Ben, 29 lessons with David

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

My son had his first lesson with David yesterday and he was extremely happy with the explanation given and the way David took him to understanding the subject I will continue rating David to help others on getting a great tutor. Thank you David, I highly recommend you!

Barbara, 2 lessons with David
Hourly Rate: $55
Response time: 3 hours
Contact David