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Certified English Teacher - ISEE/SSAT, ACT/SAT, and College Essays
Gaye W.

5.0 (104 ratings)

259 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $75
Contact Gaye

Response time: 2 hours

Gaye W.'s Photo

Certified English Teacher - ISEE/SSAT, ACT/SAT, and College Essays
Certified English Teacher - ISEE/SSAT, ACT/SAT, and College Essays
Gaye W.

5.0 (104 ratings)

259 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
5.0 (104 ratings)

259 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

About Gaye

Bio

Hello! Thanks for visiting my profile! I am a Texas certified middle and high school English and journalism teacher who has worked as a teacher, tutor and mentor for 26 years.

In addition to education, I am a certified paralegal with extensive experience in media law & ethics, intellectual property, and products liability. I have worked for large law firms and for a worldwide beauty brand. In my last corporate position, I worked in HR as the communications coordinator for the world’s largest...

Hello! Thanks for visiting my profile! I am a Texas certified middle and high school English and journalism teacher who has worked as a teacher, tutor and mentor for 26 years.

In addition to education, I am a certified paralegal with extensive experience in media law & ethics, intellectual property, and products liability. I have worked for large law firms and for a worldwide beauty brand. In my last corporate position, I worked in HR as the communications coordinator for the world’s largest food distribution company.

My main focus is helping students prepare for standardized exams such as STAAR, GED, ACT, SAT, and TOEFL, and private school and college admissions. I have a proven track record for helping students significantly improve their scores and have written manuals for the ISEE/SSAT, SAT, and ACT exams. All students I have tutored for standardized tests have seen immediate improvement in their scores.

Students also seek my assistance on college essays, scholarship applications, resumes and cover letters. I am a published, award-winning writer and currently freelance as a ghostwriter and editor for first-time writers and established authors. I have won numerous writing awards for my work, including placing first out of 22,000 national entries in the National Scholastic Art Writing Award. My writing and editing skills are superb; you will be hard-pressed to find another tutor with my experience and qualifications.

I have appeared in numerous publications as an education expert, including U.S. News & World Report, CBS News, Reader’s Digest, Scholastic Magazine, Women's Day, Monster.com, Yahoo! News, and CNN.

I work with students of all ages and abilities and have significant experience working with students with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. My techniques allow students to succeed in the classroom and prevent their disabilities from becoming handicaps.

If you are in need of a tutor, resume writer, proofreader, researcher or editor, contact me today!

Read more

Education

University of Texas, Austin
Journalism and English
Houston Baptist University
Other
Center for Advanced Legal Studies
Other

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $75
  • Rate details: Sessions cancelled within 24 hours of a scheduled meeting will be billed at the full hourly rate for the entire scheduled session.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 1/24/2012

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Subjects

Business

Career Development,

Career Development

As a former high school teacher who worked predominately in inner-city schools, I developed a program to assist students in planning for their futures. Utilizing the career path skills I obtained as a member of the business sorority at The University of Texas at Austin, I assist students and adults with resumes, cover letters, thank you notes and interviewing skills. I am very adept at helping others focus on their abilities to develop a career path based on their interests and successes. In addition to assisting others with career development, I served as the in-house recruiter of a small company here in Houston. I also own a small business in which I write resumes for job applicants and create templates for cover letters and thank you notes. My skills have enabled others to create their career path, whether just starting out as a college student or a recent high school or college graduate ready to take the next steps in their professional lives.
Criminal Justice,

Criminal Justice

I possess paralegal certification from the Center for Advanced Legal Studies and earned an A in my criminal law class. In addition, I served as a researcher and writer for a local judge who was writing an intense law journal article on the criminal justice system, specifically on the writ of habeas corpus for a death row inmate. I have significant experience in the legal field and can definitely assist students with their studies in this field.
Law

Law

I earned my paralegal certification from the Center for Advanced Legal Studies here in Houston, where I graduated at the top of my class while working full time. For the last nine years, I have worked as a full-time paralegal for both law firms and corporations. Although my background focuses on intellectual property, personal injury, products liability, commercial litigation, general civil litigation corporate law and appeals, I have experience working in family law, wills and probate, pharmaceutical litigation and criminal law. My last position was with Farouk Systems, the maker of the CHI hair straightening iron, as the Brand Manager. In that position, I oversaw all anti-counterfeiting and brand protection measures of the company. During paralegal school, I was inducted into Lambda Epsilon Chi, the national legal honor society reserved for students with outstanding grade point averages who have shown a commitment to the legal field and profession.

Corporate Training

Career Development,

Career Development

As a former high school teacher who worked predominately in inner-city schools, I developed a program to assist students in planning for their futures. Utilizing the career path skills I obtained as a member of the business sorority at The University of Texas at Austin, I assist students and adults with resumes, cover letters, thank you notes and interviewing skills. I am very adept at helping others focus on their abilities to develop a career path based on their interests and successes. In addition to assisting others with career development, I served as the in-house recruiter of a small company here in Houston. I also own a small business in which I write resumes for job applicants and create templates for cover letters and thank you notes. My skills have enabled others to create their career path, whether just starting out as a college student or a recent high school or college graduate ready to take the next steps in their professional lives.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
Grammar,

Grammar

As an English teacher, I taught grammar to my students. We reviewed proper sentence structure, use of words, parts of a sentence, punctuation and more.
Law,

Law

I earned my paralegal certification from the Center for Advanced Legal Studies here in Houston, where I graduated at the top of my class while working full time. For the last nine years, I have worked as a full-time paralegal for both law firms and corporations. Although my background focuses on intellectual property, personal injury, products liability, commercial litigation, general civil litigation corporate law and appeals, I have experience working in family law, wills and probate, pharmaceutical litigation and criminal law. My last position was with Farouk Systems, the maker of the CHI hair straightening iron, as the Brand Manager. In that position, I oversaw all anti-counterfeiting and brand protection measures of the company. During paralegal school, I was inducted into Lambda Epsilon Chi, the national legal honor society reserved for students with outstanding grade point averages who have shown a commitment to the legal field and profession.
Proofreading

Proofreading

I am a journalist by trade and a professional proofreader and copy editor. In addition to possessing a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and secondary certification in journalism and English, I have worked in journalism for more than 25 years. During college, I worked as the copy editor of the 435-page Cactus Yearbook, and I have continued this path by proofreading and editing manuscripts for published authors and new writers. I have edited numerous published books and plan to receive certification from the Associated Press before the end of 2018. I have a solid understanding of grammar and punctuation rules and pay meticulous attention to detail. I have won numerous awards for my journalism abilities and know you will be hard-pressed to find someone as knowledgeable, gifted and skilled as I.

Elementary Education

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I possess teacher certification in secondary English, journalism and speech communication (6-12 grades). However, I have taught elementary-aged students for several years. In addition to teaching second-grade Sunday school, I taught reading enrichment, science and photography to elementary-aged students (grades 1-5) during the summers at Wharton County Junior College Kids' College and currently teach reading enrichment and writing part-time at a private school to grades 3 through 6. I am a volunteer for a reading program in my school district at the elementary school by my home. Additionally, before becoming a certified teacher, I served as a substitute teacher at two private Houston-area schools. The majority of my classes were at the elementary level. Prior to teaching I worked as a camp counselor at a local summer camp throughout high school. My campers were also elementary-aged students, grades Pre-K through 5. I am able to tutor in all elementary subjects including basic study skills and organization. I have worked with students of all abilities, including students with learning disabilities and dyslexia.
Grammar,

Grammar

As an English teacher, I taught grammar to my students. We reviewed proper sentence structure, use of words, parts of a sentence, punctuation and more.
Reading,

Reading

I am a certified English, journalism and speech communication teacher with graduate coursework in reading enrichment. I am a strong and avid reader, and I have helped students improve their comprehension, develop strategies, and excel in reading.
Spelling,

Spelling

As an English teacher I taught and graded spelling. I also encouraged my students to participate in the school spelling bee and coached students as well.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have assisted students and adults with study skills for several years and was doing so long before I became a teacher. In high school I volunteered for a local organization that houses teen-agers and adults with significant learning disabilities. I worked with them to create and stick to a study plan, using various techniques to set priorities and goals and carry out their assigned tasks in a proficient and appropriate manner. I continued to assist students of this nature throughout my college years as well, as my older brother is blind and autistic and lived in the home in which I volunteered. As a teacher, I often had students who lacked any sort of direction in terms of studying, organizing their materials and staying on task. Although I used many of the tactics I created while working at the group home, as a teacher I learned additional skills to assist me in helping students succeed in and outside the classroom. I continue to help students from elementary school all the way up to college and graduate school with organization, study skills, and various techniques to help them achieve their desired results. Parents are always pleased with my tactics for helping their children.

English

ACT English,

ACT English

I have a proven track record increasing students' scores on the ACT English exam, as I understand grammar and punctuation rules and syntax. Students who have previously taken the ACT saw an increase of five to nine points on the English section, and first-time test-takers have been able to obtain their desired score by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. For many, it widened their acceptance to colleges and universities. I teach ACT writing group classes locally and am in the process of writing an ACT writing manual to accompany the reading manual I wrote.
ACT Reading,

ACT Reading

In addition to my undergraduate degree in journalism with a concentration in English, I completed more than 36 hours towards a Master's of Education degree with a focus on reading enrichment (comprehension), and I am extremely adept at working with students who lack reading comprehension skills. I am the author of an ACT Reading manual and have helped hundreds of students see immediate improvement on the ACT Reading section with my methods. Most of my students saw a minimum increase of five points on the section utilizing my strategies. I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 22 years. I have a proven track record increasing students' scores on the ACT Reading and Science sections. Students who have previously taken the ACT saw an increase of five to nine points on the Reading and science sections, and first-time test-takers have been able to obtain their desired scores by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. For many, it widened their acceptance to colleges and universities.
English,

English

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin and secondary teacher certification in English, journalism and speech communication from Houston Baptist University. I taught English at the middle school and high school levels for five years and continue to assist students in this subject area as both a tutor and mentor.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
Grammar,

Grammar

As an English teacher, I taught grammar to my students. We reviewed proper sentence structure, use of words, parts of a sentence, punctuation and more.
Proofreading,

Proofreading

I am a journalist by trade and a professional proofreader and copy editor. In addition to possessing a Bachelor of Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and secondary certification in journalism and English, I have worked in journalism for more than 25 years. During college, I worked as the copy editor of the 435-page Cactus Yearbook, and I have continued this path by proofreading and editing manuscripts for published authors and new writers. I have edited numerous published books and plan to receive certification from the Associated Press before the end of 2018. I have a solid understanding of grammar and punctuation rules and pay meticulous attention to detail. I have won numerous awards for my journalism abilities and know you will be hard-pressed to find someone as knowledgeable, gifted and skilled as I.
Reading,

Reading

I am a certified English, journalism and speech communication teacher with graduate coursework in reading enrichment. I am a strong and avid reader, and I have helped students improve their comprehension, develop strategies, and excel in reading.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

In addition to minoring in English in college, I completed more than 36 hours towards a Master's of Education degree with a focus on reading enrichment (comprehension). I am extremely adept at working with students who lack reading comprehension skills, and I am the author of an SAT Reading manual. My strategies have helped hundreds of students see immediate improvement on the SAT Reading section. Most of my students saw a minimum increase of 100 points on the section utilizing my strategies.
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

I am a gifted writer with a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin. I am a certified English and journalism teacher as well. I am a published author and have written extensively for newspapers and magazines, and I have worked as the communications coordinator for a local Fortune 50. I work with many local authors, proofreading and editing content for them. I am the recipient of numerous writing awards, including the most prestigious National Scholastic Art & Writing Award, where I placed first out of 22,000 national entries, and I have written legal briefs for the United States Supreme Court. I have a proven track record helping my students improve their skills and excel in writing. I have several years of experience preparing students for the SAT and ACT exams, especially the writing portion.
Spelling,

Spelling

As an English teacher I taught and graded spelling. I also encouraged my students to participate in the school spelling bee and coached students as well.
TOEFL,

TOEFL

I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 20 years. I have tutored students from all over the world for the TOEFL exam, including students from Morocco, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Africa, Korea, China, Mexico, Middle and South America and the Middle East. Some of my TOEFL students came to me after failing the TOEFL exam several times. Others were able to obtain their desired score on their first try by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. I have experience working with students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and I have extensive experience teaching ESL-based classes.
Writing

Writing

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism in News and Public Affairs with a concentration on Media Law and Ethics from The University of Texas at Austin. I minored in English at UT and later earned my secondary teaching certification in journalism and English from Houston Baptist University. I am a published, award-winning author and have written for newspapers and magazines. I recently served as the Communications Coordinator for a Fortune 50 company here in Houston. In addition to working as a freelance writer, I edit and proofread material for several published book authors and appellate attorneys. Three of the legal briefs I have edited were for the United States Supreme Court. I am an outstanding writer and able to help students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Homeschool

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I possess teacher certification in secondary English, journalism and speech communication (6-12 grades). However, I have taught elementary-aged students for several years. In addition to teaching second-grade Sunday school, I taught reading enrichment, science and photography to elementary-aged students (grades 1-5) during the summers at Wharton County Junior College Kids' College and currently teach reading enrichment and writing part-time at a private school to grades 3 through 6. I am a volunteer for a reading program in my school district at the elementary school by my home. Additionally, before becoming a certified teacher, I served as a substitute teacher at two private Houston-area schools. The majority of my classes were at the elementary level. Prior to teaching I worked as a camp counselor at a local summer camp throughout high school. My campers were also elementary-aged students, grades Pre-K through 5. I am able to tutor in all elementary subjects including basic study skills and organization. I have worked with students of all abilities, including students with learning disabilities and dyslexia.
English,

English

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin and secondary teacher certification in English, journalism and speech communication from Houston Baptist University. I taught English at the middle school and high school levels for five years and continue to assist students in this subject area as both a tutor and mentor.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
Reading,

Reading

I am a certified English, journalism and speech communication teacher with graduate coursework in reading enrichment. I am a strong and avid reader, and I have helped students improve their comprehension, develop strategies, and excel in reading.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

In addition to minoring in English in college, I completed more than 36 hours towards a Master's of Education degree with a focus on reading enrichment (comprehension). I am extremely adept at working with students who lack reading comprehension skills, and I am the author of an SAT Reading manual. My strategies have helped hundreds of students see immediate improvement on the SAT Reading section. Most of my students saw a minimum increase of 100 points on the section utilizing my strategies.
Spelling,

Spelling

As an English teacher I taught and graded spelling. I also encouraged my students to participate in the school spelling bee and coached students as well.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have assisted students and adults with study skills for several years and was doing so long before I became a teacher. In high school I volunteered for a local organization that houses teen-agers and adults with significant learning disabilities. I worked with them to create and stick to a study plan, using various techniques to set priorities and goals and carry out their assigned tasks in a proficient and appropriate manner. I continued to assist students of this nature throughout my college years as well, as my older brother is blind and autistic and lived in the home in which I volunteered. As a teacher, I often had students who lacked any sort of direction in terms of studying, organizing their materials and staying on task. Although I used many of the tactics I created while working at the group home, as a teacher I learned additional skills to assist me in helping students succeed in and outside the classroom. I continue to help students from elementary school all the way up to college and graduate school with organization, study skills, and various techniques to help them achieve their desired results. Parents are always pleased with my tactics for helping their children.
Writing

Writing

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism in News and Public Affairs with a concentration on Media Law and Ethics from The University of Texas at Austin. I minored in English at UT and later earned my secondary teaching certification in journalism and English from Houston Baptist University. I am a published, award-winning author and have written for newspapers and magazines. I recently served as the Communications Coordinator for a Fortune 50 company here in Houston. In addition to working as a freelance writer, I edit and proofread material for several published book authors and appellate attorneys. Three of the legal briefs I have edited were for the United States Supreme Court. I am an outstanding writer and able to help students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Language

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
TOEFL

TOEFL

I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 20 years. I have tutored students from all over the world for the TOEFL exam, including students from Morocco, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Africa, Korea, China, Mexico, Middle and South America and the Middle East. Some of my TOEFL students came to me after failing the TOEFL exam several times. Others were able to obtain their desired score on their first try by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. I have experience working with students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and I have extensive experience teaching ESL-based classes.

Most Popular

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I possess teacher certification in secondary English, journalism and speech communication (6-12 grades). However, I have taught elementary-aged students for several years. In addition to teaching second-grade Sunday school, I taught reading enrichment, science and photography to elementary-aged students (grades 1-5) during the summers at Wharton County Junior College Kids' College and currently teach reading enrichment and writing part-time at a private school to grades 3 through 6. I am a volunteer for a reading program in my school district at the elementary school by my home. Additionally, before becoming a certified teacher, I served as a substitute teacher at two private Houston-area schools. The majority of my classes were at the elementary level. Prior to teaching I worked as a camp counselor at a local summer camp throughout high school. My campers were also elementary-aged students, grades Pre-K through 5. I am able to tutor in all elementary subjects including basic study skills and organization. I have worked with students of all abilities, including students with learning disabilities and dyslexia.
English,

English

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin and secondary teacher certification in English, journalism and speech communication from Houston Baptist University. I taught English at the middle school and high school levels for five years and continue to assist students in this subject area as both a tutor and mentor.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
Reading,

Reading

I am a certified English, journalism and speech communication teacher with graduate coursework in reading enrichment. I am a strong and avid reader, and I have helped students improve their comprehension, develop strategies, and excel in reading.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have assisted students and adults with study skills for several years and was doing so long before I became a teacher. In high school I volunteered for a local organization that houses teen-agers and adults with significant learning disabilities. I worked with them to create and stick to a study plan, using various techniques to set priorities and goals and carry out their assigned tasks in a proficient and appropriate manner. I continued to assist students of this nature throughout my college years as well, as my older brother is blind and autistic and lived in the home in which I volunteered. As a teacher, I often had students who lacked any sort of direction in terms of studying, organizing their materials and staying on task. Although I used many of the tactics I created while working at the group home, as a teacher I learned additional skills to assist me in helping students succeed in and outside the classroom. I continue to help students from elementary school all the way up to college and graduate school with organization, study skills, and various techniques to help them achieve their desired results. Parents are always pleased with my tactics for helping their children.
Writing

Writing

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism in News and Public Affairs with a concentration on Media Law and Ethics from The University of Texas at Austin. I minored in English at UT and later earned my secondary teaching certification in journalism and English from Houston Baptist University. I am a published, award-winning author and have written for newspapers and magazines. I recently served as the Communications Coordinator for a Fortune 50 company here in Houston. In addition to working as a freelance writer, I edit and proofread material for several published book authors and appellate attorneys. Three of the legal briefs I have edited were for the United States Supreme Court. I am an outstanding writer and able to help students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Other

College Counseling,

College Counseling

In addition to my skills as a career counselor, I have a lot of experience working with college-bound students. I have worked with students of all ages and abilities; my forte is honing in on students scholastic abilities and interests and helping them find the right college, coursework and major to create the foundation for their future careers. While in college at The University of Texas at Austin, I worked part-time as a college counselor in the College of Communication. Additionally, during my years as a high school teacher, I assisted college-bound students with college course selection. I have also worked with students whose parents were uncertain of whether their child could succeed in a college setting because of the child's mental or scholastic abilities. I have a strong understanding of college curricula and requirements, as well as which courses and extracurricular activities prospective graduate schools and potential employers want candidates to possess.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
Law,

Law

I earned my paralegal certification from the Center for Advanced Legal Studies here in Houston, where I graduated at the top of my class while working full time. For the last nine years, I have worked as a full-time paralegal for both law firms and corporations. Although my background focuses on intellectual property, personal injury, products liability, commercial litigation, general civil litigation corporate law and appeals, I have experience working in family law, wills and probate, pharmaceutical litigation and criminal law. My last position was with Farouk Systems, the maker of the CHI hair straightening iron, as the Brand Manager. In that position, I oversaw all anti-counterfeiting and brand protection measures of the company. During paralegal school, I was inducted into Lambda Epsilon Chi, the national legal honor society reserved for students with outstanding grade point averages who have shown a commitment to the legal field and profession.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have assisted students and adults with study skills for several years and was doing so long before I became a teacher. In high school I volunteered for a local organization that houses teen-agers and adults with significant learning disabilities. I worked with them to create and stick to a study plan, using various techniques to set priorities and goals and carry out their assigned tasks in a proficient and appropriate manner. I continued to assist students of this nature throughout my college years as well, as my older brother is blind and autistic and lived in the home in which I volunteered. As a teacher, I often had students who lacked any sort of direction in terms of studying, organizing their materials and staying on task. Although I used many of the tactics I created while working at the group home, as a teacher I learned additional skills to assist me in helping students succeed in and outside the classroom. I continue to help students from elementary school all the way up to college and graduate school with organization, study skills, and various techniques to help them achieve their desired results. Parents are always pleased with my tactics for helping their children.

Special Needs

ADHD,

ADHD

In addition to being diagnosed with ADD myself, I have several years of experience working with students diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. Because school creates multiple challenges for students with ADD, I work with the student and parents to create an effective plan to overcome these obstacles. The strategies we develop allows the student to thrive in the classroom. By implementing practical strategies for learning, students are able to meet learning challenges and experience success at school. Some of the strategies we address include effective communication, behavior modification plans, organization and goal setting. I have worked with ADD students for several years and know my strategies and techniques benefit everyone involved.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin and secondary teacher certification in English, journalism and speech communication from Houston Baptist University. I also possess more than 30 graduate hours in education with a concentration in reading enrichment, also completed at HBU. During my five years of teaching I worked with students of all abilities including several students with spectrum disorders and/or autism. My older brother (who is now in his early 40s) was born blind and is considered a severe autistic. I gained a great deal of my experience working with him. I have volunteered at a group home here in Houston which caters to children and adults with spectrum disorders. Additionally, I have worked with my cousin's daughter, who is severely autistic, and a friend's son, who is considered mild. Before I changed my major to journalism during my junior year of college, I was a speech-language pathology major with a concentration in autism and the deaf. While someone might question my commitment to working with the autistic or the deaf, I only did so because I knew I would eventually be fully responsible for my older brother, and I did not want a full-time job that extended into my home life. Although I do not possess special ed certification, I can guarantee I am extremely experienced in working with autistic children and assisting them with school work, personal care and more.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have assisted students and adults with study skills for several years and was doing so long before I became a teacher. In high school I volunteered for a local organization that houses teen-agers and adults with significant learning disabilities. I worked with them to create and stick to a study plan, using various techniques to set priorities and goals and carry out their assigned tasks in a proficient and appropriate manner. I continued to assist students of this nature throughout my college years as well, as my older brother is blind and autistic and lived in the home in which I volunteered. As a teacher, I often had students who lacked any sort of direction in terms of studying, organizing their materials and staying on task. Although I used many of the tactics I created while working at the group home, as a teacher I learned additional skills to assist me in helping students succeed in and outside the classroom. I continue to help students from elementary school all the way up to college and graduate school with organization, study skills, and various techniques to help them achieve their desired results. Parents are always pleased with my tactics for helping their children.

Summer

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I possess teacher certification in secondary English, journalism and speech communication (6-12 grades). However, I have taught elementary-aged students for several years. In addition to teaching second-grade Sunday school, I taught reading enrichment, science and photography to elementary-aged students (grades 1-5) during the summers at Wharton County Junior College Kids' College and currently teach reading enrichment and writing part-time at a private school to grades 3 through 6. I am a volunteer for a reading program in my school district at the elementary school by my home. Additionally, before becoming a certified teacher, I served as a substitute teacher at two private Houston-area schools. The majority of my classes were at the elementary level. Prior to teaching I worked as a camp counselor at a local summer camp throughout high school. My campers were also elementary-aged students, grades Pre-K through 5. I am able to tutor in all elementary subjects including basic study skills and organization. I have worked with students of all abilities, including students with learning disabilities and dyslexia.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

During my career as a teacher, the majority of my years were spent in inner-city high schools. As such, I had many students who had difficulty with the English language. While almost all of my students were English-speaking, English was not a first language for many of them, and my students had difficulties with everyday communication and higher-level language, especially with unfamiliar words. Before changing my major to journalism, I studied speech-language pathology. I worked directly with autistic and Deaf children and adults, working with them on pronunciation and verbalization of words. I believe this experience contributes to my work with ESL and ESOL students. Additionally, I have tutored students preparing for the TOEFL and SLEP exams and students enrolled in English and writing classes at the college level.
GED,

GED

I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 20 years. All GED students I have tutored passed all areas of the GED on their first try. I have taught GED classes to students of all ages, learning styles and abilities.
Reading,

Reading

I am a certified English, journalism and speech communication teacher with graduate coursework in reading enrichment. I am a strong and avid reader, and I have helped students improve their comprehension, develop strategies, and excel in reading.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have assisted students and adults with study skills for several years and was doing so long before I became a teacher. In high school I volunteered for a local organization that houses teen-agers and adults with significant learning disabilities. I worked with them to create and stick to a study plan, using various techniques to set priorities and goals and carry out their assigned tasks in a proficient and appropriate manner. I continued to assist students of this nature throughout my college years as well, as my older brother is blind and autistic and lived in the home in which I volunteered. As a teacher, I often had students who lacked any sort of direction in terms of studying, organizing their materials and staying on task. Although I used many of the tactics I created while working at the group home, as a teacher I learned additional skills to assist me in helping students succeed in and outside the classroom. I continue to help students from elementary school all the way up to college and graduate school with organization, study skills, and various techniques to help them achieve their desired results. Parents are always pleased with my tactics for helping their children.
Writing

Writing

I possess a Bachelor of Journalism in News and Public Affairs with a concentration on Media Law and Ethics from The University of Texas at Austin. I minored in English at UT and later earned my secondary teaching certification in journalism and English from Houston Baptist University. I am a published, award-winning author and have written for newspapers and magazines. I recently served as the Communications Coordinator for a Fortune 50 company here in Houston. In addition to working as a freelance writer, I edit and proofread material for several published book authors and appellate attorneys. Three of the legal briefs I have edited were for the United States Supreme Court. I am an outstanding writer and able to help students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Test Preparation

ACT English,

ACT English

I have a proven track record increasing students' scores on the ACT English exam, as I understand grammar and punctuation rules and syntax. Students who have previously taken the ACT saw an increase of five to nine points on the English section, and first-time test-takers have been able to obtain their desired score by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. For many, it widened their acceptance to colleges and universities. I teach ACT writing group classes locally and am in the process of writing an ACT writing manual to accompany the reading manual I wrote.
ACT Reading,

ACT Reading

In addition to my undergraduate degree in journalism with a concentration in English, I completed more than 36 hours towards a Master's of Education degree with a focus on reading enrichment (comprehension), and I am extremely adept at working with students who lack reading comprehension skills. I am the author of an ACT Reading manual and have helped hundreds of students see immediate improvement on the ACT Reading section with my methods. Most of my students saw a minimum increase of five points on the section utilizing my strategies. I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 22 years. I have a proven track record increasing students' scores on the ACT Reading and Science sections. Students who have previously taken the ACT saw an increase of five to nine points on the Reading and science sections, and first-time test-takers have been able to obtain their desired scores by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. For many, it widened their acceptance to colleges and universities.
Career Development,

Career Development

As a former high school teacher who worked predominately in inner-city schools, I developed a program to assist students in planning for their futures. Utilizing the career path skills I obtained as a member of the business sorority at The University of Texas at Austin, I assist students and adults with resumes, cover letters, thank you notes and interviewing skills. I am very adept at helping others focus on their abilities to develop a career path based on their interests and successes. In addition to assisting others with career development, I served as the in-house recruiter of a small company here in Houston. I also own a small business in which I write resumes for job applicants and create templates for cover letters and thank you notes. My skills have enabled others to create their career path, whether just starting out as a college student or a recent high school or college graduate ready to take the next steps in their professional lives.
College Counseling,

College Counseling

In addition to my skills as a career counselor, I have a lot of experience working with college-bound students. I have worked with students of all ages and abilities; my forte is honing in on students scholastic abilities and interests and helping them find the right college, coursework and major to create the foundation for their future careers. While in college at The University of Texas at Austin, I worked part-time as a college counselor in the College of Communication. Additionally, during my years as a high school teacher, I assisted college-bound students with college course selection. I have also worked with students whose parents were uncertain of whether their child could succeed in a college setting because of the child's mental or scholastic abilities. I have a strong understanding of college curricula and requirements, as well as which courses and extracurricular activities prospective graduate schools and potential employers want candidates to possess.
GED,

GED

I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 20 years. All GED students I have tutored passed all areas of the GED on their first try. I have taught GED classes to students of all ages, learning styles and abilities.
ISEE,

ISEE

I am a certified teacher with a proven track record helping students excel on the ISEE/SSAT exam. All of my students have performed exceptionally well on these exams and gained admittance to the private schools to which they applied. I possess in-depth knowledge of the types of questions asked and help my students master the skills needed to achieve top scores on the Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Essay sections.
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

In addition to minoring in English in college, I completed more than 36 hours towards a Master's of Education degree with a focus on reading enrichment (comprehension). I am extremely adept at working with students who lack reading comprehension skills, and I am the author of an SAT Reading manual. My strategies have helped hundreds of students see immediate improvement on the SAT Reading section. Most of my students saw a minimum increase of 100 points on the section utilizing my strategies.
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

I am a gifted writer with a Bachelor of Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin. I am a certified English and journalism teacher as well. I am a published author and have written extensively for newspapers and magazines, and I have worked as the communications coordinator for a local Fortune 50. I work with many local authors, proofreading and editing content for them. I am the recipient of numerous writing awards, including the most prestigious National Scholastic Art & Writing Award, where I placed first out of 22,000 national entries, and I have written legal briefs for the United States Supreme Court. I have a proven track record helping my students improve their skills and excel in writing. I have several years of experience preparing students for the SAT and ACT exams, especially the writing portion.
STAAR,

STAAR

I have significant experience working with students to take and pass the STAAR exam, especially the English and writing portions. As a Journalism and English teacher, I am well adept at assisting students with reading comprehension, essay writing and determining grammar, punctuation and spelling mistakes.
TOEFL,

TOEFL

I taught English and journalism at the middle school and high school levels for six years and have been in education as a tutor and mentor for more than 20 years. I have tutored students from all over the world for the TOEFL exam, including students from Morocco, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Africa, Korea, China, Mexico, Middle and South America and the Middle East. Some of my TOEFL students came to me after failing the TOEFL exam several times. Others were able to obtain their desired score on their first try by using the knowledge they gained from our tutoring sessions. I have experience working with students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and I have extensive experience teaching ESL-based classes.
PSAT, SSAT

Examples of Expertise

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Ratings and Reviews

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Reviews

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See all reviews prepared came prepared helped my daughter prompt amazing

SSAT tutoring

Gaye was very helpful in preparing our daughter for her SSATs, offering very useful guidance accounting for the short time frame we had to prepare

Brian, 2 lessons with Gaye

great system

Very clear and thought out system for cracking the SSAT. We will be implementing these strategies over the next few months.

ALEXANDER, 7 lessons with Gaye

Great lesson

Gaye is a great teacher, very knowledgeable and helpful. My child enjoys the lessons with Gaye. Thank you!

Julia, 5 lessons with Gaye

Great for SAT

Provided great resources for studying and prep and clearly worked through problems while explaining her methodology. Was clear about the questions and provided great insights regarding how to take the test and how to prepare.

Tony, 1 lesson with Gaye

Great Tutor for my son

Explained very well for my son and us on how we are going to progress on his reading skills. Very good methodology, we like Gaye very much.

Raul, 3 lessons with Gaye

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

She has a great formula and strategies to approaching the reading portion of the SAT/ACT. She will explain her strategies and give the student time to practice these on their own time. Then when they meet together she reviews with the student any of the answers the student missed.

Victoria, 2 lessons with Gaye

Great Lesson

Awesome experience! Love the practical approach to her lessons and tips for parents. She was always prompt with her replies and made scheduling changes to accommodate.

Lauren, 2 lessons with Gaye

Knowledgeable and friendly

She was straight to the point, explained everything clearly, and made sure Cameron understood what she was explaining. Cameron enjoyed Gaye and would like her to return for more lessons.

Monica, 1 lesson with Gaye

Knowledgeable and patient

She is teaching my son how to write non-fiction essays. Right now she is working on hooks. She is very knowledgeable and patient. My son really enjoys her class.

Jyothi, 7 lessons with Gaye
Hourly Rate: $75
Response time: 2 hours
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