Laura S.
Plano, TX
Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic from Kindergarten to SAT/ACT Prep
Texas A&M University
EnglishAbout Laura
As Valedictorian of my high school class and a Cum Laude graduate of Texas A&M University with a BA degree in English, I have a record of excellence in education. I have imparted my love of learning to my students whom I have tutored for the last 15 years. From tots to teens, I have tutored children in everything from phonics to reading to writing
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5 hours notice requiredTravel Radius
Travels within 5 miles of Plano, TX 75023Laura offers online lessons
Laura 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 Laura to get started.
"Patient and thorough lesson. Laura also made learning fun for my son."
- Paula, Dallas, TX on 9/3/17She taught him in his academics as well as training him in being an organized student. She kept the lessons upbeat and fun. Laura was also very patient and explained the objectives of the lessons clearly.
"Responsive and Helpful!"
- Renee, Los Angeles, CA on 6/6/17Laura explains concepts clearly. Her examples are easy to follow and she really helps you understand problems. I would recommend her!
"Helpful and very knowledgeable"
- Jennifer, Plano, TX on 4/27/17Laura reviewed my previous test results before our first session so she would be ready to help me with the areas that needed the most help. She had great tips and was very dedicated to my success. After just two sessions, my score improved and I'm meeting with her more in hopes to continue improving!
"We are glad to have her as our teacher"
- May, Plano, TX on 9/20/16Very nice and productive hour, she explained things clearly and gave an overview for the test. Besides that, she also teach kids how to take test and study habits, which is really important for kids getting advice from teacher instead of parents. Not only teaches, but educated kids. Great teacher.
"Great tutor with lots of patience!"
- Denise, Allen, TX on 9/1/14Laura is great!! She is very knowledgeable with the topics covered - ISEE prep, vocabulary, algebra - but, in addition to that, she is very patient and explains it in a manner that my son understands.
"Wonderful Tutor"
- Rachel, Frisco, TX on 6/14/14For the past few days this week I had the opportunity to work with Laura S. on ACT Preparation in all areas of the test (writing, mathematics, reading, science, and English). She was very accessible outside of tutoring lessons as well. She provided me with some great strategies that I used on my test and which allowed me the opportunity to do practice problems in our sessions with her help and explanations as needed. She had a great system and variety of resources which helped me to gain a broad overview and many helpful tips. Excellent tutor!
"Very patient and worth every penny I spend."
- Nikki, Plano, TX on 9/5/13Laura is the most patient, sweet yet extremely involved with her students. My daughter cannot wait to see her every time we meet. I expected my daughter to have a slight discipline in regards to learning at 4 yrs old but Mrs. Laura has her so engaged that I too get excited to see Mrs. Laura! She's an amazing teacher!
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.
ACT English
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Cum Laude) from Texas A&M University. For the last 15 years, I have tutored students in English grammar, reading, writing, and literature. My score on the ACT was a 32. The reason I was voted "Most Intelligent" of my high school class was, in part, due to my relentless fulfillment of academic duties. I did my homework! Thoroughly! I cannot wait to make you do yours! Thoroughly! I love taking tests. I can help you prepare so completely for the ACT that you will look forward to taking your test!
ACT Math
My minor from Texas A&M University (1991, Cum Laude) is in Accounting. I love working with numbers! As Valedictorian of my high school class, I excelled in math, receiving A's in every math class through Calculus. I have tutored in ACT Math, as well as arithmetic through Algebra 1, and I have helped students with strategies to score more points. You might point out to me that the ACT has lots of Geometry, but that's OK, because, though I detest proofs, I love working with angles and triangles and other shapes to solve problems. Since the ACT Math section requires solving 60 problems in 60 minutes, we are safe from being threatened with proofs! I treat each problem as a mini-puzzle that many times should be solved creatively in order to be solved more quickly. Finally, though my overall ACT score was a 32, my ACT math score was a 33!
Bible Studies
For more than two decades, I have been an avid student of the Bible. I have read the entire Bible. I have participated in several Bible studies on topics ranging from the book of Daniel to the power of words to marriage.
Furthermore, I served as a teacher of an elementary grade Sunday school class for two years, teaching Bible stories and principles to children. I have even led a Bible study at my place of employment. I enjoy memorizing Scripture and have memorized several chapters of the Bible.
Finally, I research topical threads in the Bible using Thompson's Chain Reference Study Bible.
Elementary (K-6th)
I have tutored elementary school children for thirteen years in a wide variety of subjects. I have taught children how to read using an extensive phonics curriculum. Additionally, I have tutored in grammar, writing (including book reports), and literature. I have taught math from simple counting to pre-algebra. I have tutored in social science, American history, and world geography.
Homeschool
I spent 20 years homeschooling my two sons and one daughter. I taught each of them how to read by age 3 using the ABeka phonics program. I taught each of them every subject from kindergarten through 6th grade, and I then managed their courses from 7th grade through 12th grade (at home, ABeka DVDs, dual credit, and co-op classes). My three children have achieved a graduate degree in cyber security, Texas Army National Guard, and National Merit Finalist status. I have extensive experience in using ABeka curriculum, using Saxon math curriculum, creating high school transcripts, enrolling students in dual credit classes, enrolling students in homeschooling co-op classes, and helping my children apply to and be accepted by major universities such as Texas A&M University, UTD, and OU.
ISEE
Having a degree in English (B.A. Cum Laude) from Texas A&M University, I enjoy helping students prepare for reading and math standardized tests. I have tutored students to help them prepare for the upper level ISEE test in order to get into the private school they have chosen. I help students in verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and essay writing. Additionally, I explain the unique testing format of the math sections of the ISEE test as a part of the math prep. Focusing on general test-taking strategies helps my students as well.
Phonics
I have personally taught 3 children how to read by the age of 3 by starting out with the Dr. Seuss ABC book. Then, after the child can identify and pronounce letters, I move on to a comprehensive phonics program that utilizes flash cards, letter blends, colorful pictures, and short books for every level of beginning reader. Do you remember or have you heard of the old "Dick and Jane" readers that we grew up with decades ago? Well, those books are not phonics based! Notice that the title itself includes a more complicated "ck" blend and a long vowel. I do not subscribe to a whole-language approach that produces weak readers; I am a firm believer in a phonics-based approach to learning how to read!
STAAR
Having a degree in English (B.A. Cum Laude) from Texas A&M University, I enjoy helping students prepare for reading and writing standardized tests. I have tutored students in preparing for the STAAR tests in elementary and middle school grades. I have helped students in reading comprehension, identification of writing errors, and essay writing. Utilizing past STAAR writing prompts, I give students writing assignments, and then I help them edit their papers. I help them find evidence in passages to support their answers to reading comprehension questions. Focusing on grammar rules and general test-taking strategies helps my students as well.
Study Skills
I have spent the last 15 years helping students with their study skills. Studying for tests and completing homework occurs most successfully when several factors are in place. First, the study space needs to be visually and orally clutter free. In other words, television, your favorite DJ, five texting/face booking friends, and trash on the table are not conducive to a positive study environment. Secondly, the mind needs to be clutter free. Anxiety about yesterday's argument with a friend can truly hinder anyone's ability to accomplish tasks. Consequently, I encourage the student to identify the source of worrying and either eliminate it quickly, if possible, or assign a concrete time in the future to address the issue. Then, I encourage the student to focus on the academic task at hand. Finally, because procrastination is often a problem due to a sense of being overwhelmed with a big project or research paper, I help students break big assignments into manageable pieces. Calendars are crucial to helping students set mini-deadlines in order to meet the final due-date.
Other Plano, TX Tutors
Laura S.
Plano, TX
Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic from Kindergarten to SAT/ACT Prep
Social Studies
I have tutored students for the last 15 years in social studies, from Kindergarten through 8th grade. I have taught and reviewed with children a wide variety of topics regarding countries, cultures, and current events. From every U. S. state and capital to Canadian provinces to European bodies of water, I have engaged students in the wonders of the globe! I love maps, I love geography, and I love current events; and I have imparted that love of social studies knowledge to my students. I may not be able to draw free-handed the map of the U. S. with all of its states like my Dad can, but I can label every state and capital and more besides! I believe that children should possess a certain body of knowledge as a foundation; I have contributed a portion of that store of knowledge to children by helping them learn and retain social studies facts.