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Shirley B.'s Photo Shirley B.'s Photo Shirley B.'s Photo

Reading, Writing, ESL, and Study Skills Tutor for All Ages
Shirley B.

5.0 (10 ratings)

37 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $60
Contact Shirley
Response time: 3 hours

About Shirley

Bio

I work with students of all ages — from elementary learners to college students and adults — helping them build confidence, clarity, and strong foundational skills in reading, writing, study strategies, and communication. With over ten years of experience, my approach is structured, patient, and encouraging. I tailor each session to the learner’s pace, energy level, and goals, and I bring in creative or fun elements when they help students stay engaged.

Many of my students benefit from...

I work with students of all ages — from elementary learners to college students and adults — helping them build confidence, clarity, and strong foundational skills in reading, writing, study strategies, and communication. With over ten years of experience, my approach is structured, patient, and encouraging. I tailor each session to the learner’s pace, energy level, and goals, and I bring in creative or fun elements when they help students stay engaged.

Many of my students benefit from clear steps, organization, and steady routines, especially when assignments feel overwhelming or fast paced. I’m experienced supporting learners through complex writing tasks, dense readings, oral presentations, and even unexpected academic curveballs. Whether a student is catching up after an absence, navigating a challenging course, or preparing for a high‑pressure moment, I help them stay grounded and confident.

At the heart of my teaching style is a simple philosophy: Calm, Clarity, Humor, and a Plan. No matter the assignment, we move forward together.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and have over ten years of experience supporting learners in reading, writing, ESL/ESOL, study skills, and academic confidence. My background includes literacy volunteer work in Delaware and Cincinnati, community activism, and lived experience shaped by my family’s history in the Great Migration. I’ve also spent meaningful time learning at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and other cultural museums, which deepened my understanding of African American history and cultural context.

Living and working in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky — areas with vibrant immigrant and multilingual communities — has strengthened my ability to support ESL/ESOL learners, adult students, and professionals building workplace communication skills. My experience in technical writing also helps me teach clear, precise communication for academic, business, and professional settings.

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Education

University of Cincinnati - McMicken College of Arts & Sciences
English Literature
University of Cincinnati
Graduate Coursework

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: Returning students stay at $40. Sponsored students welcome; rates vary. Rosetta Stone has its own rate. Please feel free to discuss special circumstances with me.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 1/22/2015

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Accent Reduction

Accent Reduction

I have extensive experience in accent reduction and pronunciation through my work as a Literacy Volunteer in Wilmington, Delaware, and Cincinnati, Ohio. I received specialized training to help ESL and ESOL students refine their spoken English, particularly for business and social settings. My approach combines phonetics training, articulation exercises, and speech rhythm techniques to help students gain confidence and clarity in communication. I draw from proven literacy resources to further support students in refining their pronunciation and fluency.
ADHD

ADHD

I support learners with ADHD by creating calm, structured sessions that reduce overwhelm and build confidence. My approach includes clear steps, predictable routines, and gentle executive‑function support for organization, task initiation, and follow‑through. I’ve worked with ADHD, autistic, and other neurodivergent learners through tutoring, substitute teaching, homeschool support, K–6 instruction, and volunteer roles in community settings. I also support teens and young adults who are bright but still developing the self‑advocacy and executive‑function skills needed for college and early adulthood, including navigating online classes and communicating with instructors. I’m an observant instructor who notices what helps a student stay focused and grounded, and I share those insights with families so we can support the learner together through my teaching philosophy (Calm, Clarity, Humor, and a Plan) which helps students feel capable, supported, and understood.
African American Studies

African American Studies

I hold a BS in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati, where African American Studies and Literature were integral to my coursework. Beyond formal education, I’ve lived this history—witnessing segregation firsthand and engaging with civil rights icons like Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Carl Westmoreland, and Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Year-round, I deepen my expertise through museum visits, lectures, and community activism, including frequent trips to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. My tutoring blends academic study with lived experience, offering students a rich, immersive understanding of African American Studies.
Anthropology

Anthropology

I help students understand key anthropological concepts by breaking down complex ideas into clear, manageable steps. My background in the humanities allows me to guide learners through cultural analysis, human behavior, and historical context with accuracy and depth. I support students in developing strong critical‑thinking skills, interpreting sources, and connecting course material to real‑world examples. My approach is calm, structured, and student‑centered, helping learners feel confident as they navigate challenging material.
Archaeology

Archaeology

I help students understand archaeological concepts by breaking down complex material into clear, manageable steps. My background in the humanities allows me to guide learners through cultural interpretation, historical context, and the study of human societies with accuracy and depth. I support students in analyzing sources, understanding research methods, and connecting archaeological findings to broader historical themes. My approach is calm, structured, and student‑centered, helping learners feel confident as they navigate challenging coursework.
Art History

Art History

I help students explore art from around the world—paintings, sculpture, crafts, and more. We learn how art can show us stories, feelings, and ideas from different cultures. I believe we learn best when we use our eyes, ears, hands, and hearts, just like when we visit a museum. My lessons are calm, creative, and help students feel proud of what they discover.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

I evaluate what kind of help the student needs, identify strengths and challenges, and then customize a game plan for that individual student. I believe that reviewing basic concepts within a student's subjects will help provide a foundation for achieving current and future learning goals. I also use case-study methods, to help students recognize similar problems and solutions, encouraging thinking and interactive learning, beyond the classroom. Skill and confidence building can help a student move forward. If a student has "writer's block", needs help identifying important details in a story, memorization, practice in applying logical thinking or math equations, feedback on how they are doing, project brainstorming or assistance in understanding requirements in an assignment, I can help. I have a Bachelors degree in English Literature, from the University of Cincinnati. I am a graduate student, working on my Masters in Sustainable Design. I have over 7 years experience in tutoring and teaching various topics to students from K--12, with most of my assignments working with K--8 in Delaware, through Kelly Services, and tutored students in Cincinnati. When serving as assistant school librarian on assignments, I aided students in their research, using library materials and online sources for projects. I also have experience with homeschooling. I tutored ESL students in speaking, comprehension, and writing, with Literacy Volunteers in Delaware, and with Literacy Cincinnati. When tutoring, I apply real world examples and topics of interests when teaching, to aid in retention and to hopefully make learning fun. I am pro-library! I often tell my students, as well as other family members to take advantage of library membership and activities.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

I have a Bachelors in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati. I am working on a Masters Degree, so English and Language Arts are essential in my research. My teaching and tutoring experience also includes Math and other topics. I feel that Language Arts and Math skills go hand-in-hand, in everyday living. Reading skills help with comprehending and solving Math word problems. I find ways to apply student interests, in their studies, to hopefully make learning more enjoyable.
English

English

I have a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati. My teaching and tutoring experience includes English, Math, Science, and other subjects. I believe that Language Arts and Math skills go hand‑in‑hand in everyday life, and strong reading skills help students better understand and solve Math word problems. I incorporate student interests into their studies to make learning more enjoyable. I address each student’s immediate needs and work with their strengths and learning styles. Together, we build confidence and improve skills in spelling, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
Homeschool

Homeschool

I support homeschool families by creating calm, structured lessons that build confidence, curiosity, and independence. I homeschooled my daughter through her final high school years while participating in a Tri-State Homeschool Network with workshops, field trips, and community activities. Many people worried she might be short-changed, but she thrived (she studied Spanish in her traditional high school years, used Rosetta Stone to teach herself Japanese, and stayed socially connected through friends and community involvement). We followed state reporting requirements and HSLDA guidelines, and she completed proctored entrance exams, earned a college scholarship, graduated from high school, and later earned her Associate’s degree. Homeschooling showed me that choosing a different educational path doesn’t limit future opportunities. Students can move toward certificates, college degrees, or any direction that fits their goals. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English with additional graduate studies, which strengthens my ability to support literacy, writing, and academic development. My approach blends clear routines, flexible pacing, and gentle executive function support so parents feel confident and students feel capable.
Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint

I help students use Microsoft PowerPoint with confidence — not only for presentations, but also as a flexible visual space for brainstorming and organizing ideas. I teach clear slide design, visual structure, and practical tools that make projects easier to plan and complete. Many learners use PowerPoint with me to collect sources, diagrams, and notes, then shape them into strong presentations or written assignments. My approach is calm, step‑by‑step, and designed to reduce overwhelm while building clarity and confidence.
Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows

As a daily Microsoft Windows user, I know firsthand how its tools can simplify tasks, spark creativity, and boost productivity. From drafting reports and resumes, to designing flyers and organizing ideas, with note-taking features, I make the most of Windows’ functionality, in practical and innovative ways. Whether helping beginners navigate the basics or guiding advanced users through efficiency tricks, I create a supportive learning experience tailored to individual needs. My goal is to help others feel confident and empowered to use Windows effectively --in both personal and professional settings.
Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word has been my "Go-To" for creating reports and for reviewing reports for many years. I hope that you will find it useful, too.
Phonics

Phonics

I have a Bachelors degree in English Literature, from the University of Cincinnati. I am a graduate student, working on my Masters in Sustainable Design. I have over 7 years experience in tutoring and teaching various topics to students from K--12, with most of my assignments working with K--8 in Delaware, through Kelly Services, and tutored students in Cincinnati. I have also served as assistant school librarian and helped students do research, using library materials and online sources for projects. I homeschooled my daughter, during her last few years in High School: She is now a college graduate. I tutored ESL students in speaking, comprehension, and writing, with Literacy Volunteers in Delaware, and with Literacy Cincinnati. I apply real world examples and topics of interests when teaching, to aid in retention and to hopefully make learning fun. I am pro-library! I often tell my students, as well as other family members to take advantage of library membership and activities. Phonics is important. I encourage students to try sounding out a word, then I will model by pronounce it for them, and then have them practice again. Or, I can model the word, and then ask the students to repeat after me. Writing and saying the word helps. This is especially important for my ESL students. I will present word lists, or flash cards with vowel sounds and consonant clusters "of the day". I encourage students to bring in a word or point to words from passages in a book, an ad, or a poster and try it. My training and background with Literacy Volunteers was beneficial in presenting various fun ways to practice phonics.
Reading

Reading

I have a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati, and my teaching experience includes English, Math, Science, Art, and other subjects. I believe that strong reading skills support learning across all areas, especially when students are working through Math word problems or reading material in other classes. I incorporate student interests into their studies to make learning more engaging and enjoyable. I address each student’s immediate needs and work with their strengths and learning styles. Together, we build confidence and improve skills in spelling, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati and have over seven years of experience tutoring and teaching students. Study skills and research coaching are often at the heart of my work, even with elementary learners. When I work with students, I do more than help solve a problem—I share tips and strategies for studying, researching, and organizing their thinking. I believe that when a student asks “Why?” or “Why not?”, they’re showing curiosity and strength. I support executive function skills like time management, task planning, and building routines, often using lists, pictures, mind maps, music, repetition, and frequent breaks. We break work into mini-tasks and build personalized “to-do” systems together, helping students feel more confident and in control.
Writing

Writing

I help students strengthen their writing across a wide range of needs, including academic essays, reports, business writing, résumés, and practical documents like flyers or presentations. My background in English literature and years of hands‑on writing experience allow me to guide learners through structure, clarity, and purpose in their work. I support writers at every stage — from brainstorming and organizing ideas to drafting, revising, and polishing final pieces. My calm, step‑by‑step approach helps students feel less overwhelmed and more confident in expressing their ideas, whether they’re working on school assignments, workplace writing, or creative projects.
Elementary Science
ESL/ESOL
General Computer
Spelling
Vocabulary

Examples of Expertise

Shirley has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 23 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Shirley ’s answers ›
Shirley B.'s Photo

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Response time: 3 hours

Ratings and Reviews

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Reviews

Knowledgeable and Adaptable!

My professor had issues getting our assignments on a site, and some of those that did load could not be submitted due to problems with their site. At first, I thought this was a "me" problem, and was able to connect with Shirley. After hours of sorting through, she was able to help me find the proper way to submit an assignment and taught me some of the basic things to pick out when working through such an incomprehensible assignment. I didn't understand some of the assignments, as it's been a while since I've had to use Office. She broke it down for me, helping me apply it to everyday situations. She showed me how to keep it simple, and encouraged me to "have fun" and experiment with the new features that Office has. She's very personable, and she helped me gain confidence in myself when it comes to these programs. It's easy to connect with her, and I appreciate her so much. Thank you, Shirley! I am thankful for you!

Georgie, 17 lessons with Shirley
Hourly Rate: $60
Response time: 3 hours
Contact Shirley