Our Tutors

Nicole N

Teaching Style

Being a tutor allows one to reach out and find the most personal and effective way to connect and instruct a student. My exposure to the many learning styles of students has taught me the importance of first understanding the student's learning style. I also believe it is important for teachers to find motivating factors for students. Lastly, I believe it is the teacher's responsibility to make learning fun for each student. When in combination, these factors create a successful learning environment for students.

Experience Summary

I have been working with children of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, and in a variety of environments for many years. I have been a camp counselor, swim instructor, piano teacher, and religious education teacher. I currently have been substitute teaching in grades K-12. My bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Communication studies in addition to my current graduate work has allowed me a strong command of the English language. I am most confident teaching reading, writing, and other areas of language arts. My vast array of experiences has also allowed me comfort in teaching the basics of mathematics, science, and the arts.

Sonja S

Teaching Style

My substitute teaching style/capabilities include the following: The ability to follow oral and written directions as instructed from the teacher, establish effective working relationships with staff and students, and maintain effective classroom. Following lesson plans. Creating and maintaining a climate of various learning styles of students. Demonstrating respect and fairness for all students. Applying appropriate consequences for inappropriate actions. Displaying problem solving, cooperative negotiating skills and conflict resolution strategies.

Experience Summary

My substituting teaching experience for the Stanislaus County School Districts will contribute to a successful tutoring job. Teaching capabilities are in biology, chemistry, physics and math. Also, I have recent tutoring experience with Carney Educational Services from March through May last school year. Carney provided tutoring in all subjects and grades from K - 12. Free tutoring was available through the various Stanislaus School Districts.

Katherine K

Teaching Style

My passion is learning and my hope is to inspire in my students a genuine love of learning and to help them gain the skills necessary to become lifelong, independent learners. I believe all children can learn in an atmosphere that is encouraging, supportive and structured in such a way as to challenge without discouraging. I believe in authentic learning and in teaching through discovery. I have acquired many different techniques and tools over the years and have learned that there is no one style of teaching that fits all. One reason I enjoy tutoring is that I can take the time to truly know the student and to help them discover which tools work best for them. I strive to make a difference in each of my student's lives.

Experience Summary

I have been actively involved in the field of education for 26 years as a high school English teacher, an elementary reading teacher, and as a school librarian. My teaching career has been varied, including four years working in inner city public schools, 17 years in an exclusive private college preparatory school, and three years as the Director of library services for youth at risk. I graduated summa cum laude and am a member of Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in English, History, Secondary Education and Library Science and have minors in classical literature, romance languages and philosophy. I am a certified Reading Specialist and have trained with the LindaMood Bell reading program. I have worked as a newspaper reporter and done freelance editing and research for local authors. Over the years I have tutored students from elementary school to graduate school in English, history, research, study skills, composition and reading.

Kim K

Teaching Style

My teaching approach begins with the idea that economics is a way of thinking. My primary objective is to provide students with a set of tools that helps them attain academic success and growth, to build and expand their knowledge and critical thinking skills, and to develop as individuals. My approach encourages students to "learn by doing" through classroom activities, visual guides, interactive lessons, real world application and hypothetical situations. I also incorporate active learning through a lecture style that encourages student discussion. A good instructor motivates students to want to learn and retain the material. Stellar students benefit when instructors challenge them to move towards higher level applications of the material. Struggling students need someone who can see beyond their mistake and into their thought process. I strive to convince students they are developing valuable skills for their lives by regularly connecting the material to their everyday lives. My teaching techniques have improved with each experience I have endured. I continue to look for new ideas and technologies that can improve my teaching effectiveness. In the end, I want to share my passion for economics and learning, leaving them excited about using the skills in their own lives. My goal is to meet students where they are and take them where they need to go.

Experience Summary

I have been a passionate tutor since my high school years. I continued tutoring in undergraduate and graduate school in subject areas from chemistry to calculus. My strengths are being able to communicate concepts clearly and in a way students can relate to.

Patti P

Teaching Style

Education is the most valuable asset we can provide to our children. Each student is unique and needs to be taught in a manner that brings out their strengths to conquer weaknesses. Every student has the opportunity and ability to learn, though tapping into how each student learns may be a challenge. I believe students at any age are inquisitive by nature and should be able to follow a staircase of "why's" until all the "why's" are answered. Constructive feedback through encouragement is a great way to keep a child inquisitive and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Experience Summary

Working in the field of public safety as a supervisor, I have written numerous training manuals and taught adults in report writing, field training, National Incident Management Systems, Incident Command Systems, Taser Weapons Technology, and Basic Security classes. I have been employed for 10 years with the county and recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. My long term goals are to teach at a university and I am currently working to earn an MBA. While in college, I have tutored students in all areas of the degrees I was seeking, including Statistics, various levels of Math, Finance, and College Writing. I often edit student papers for grammar, spelling, and formatting issues for their final drafts.

Austin A

Teaching Style

My first step is to gain an assessment of the student by giving a variety of test questions in the subject. After locating strengths and weaknesses, I broadly cover the material, focusing more heavily on areas of deficiency. My teaching method involves teaching the material with much interaction from the students and then giving a variety of problems to solidify the material in their minds. To maintain this information, I periodically offer more practice problems, especially in areas of any difficulty.

Experience Summary

During my undergraduate years I participated in an SAT preparation program for troubled high school students. After graduating with a BA in Economics, I have worked largely in finance and banking. On the side, I set up and volunteered to provide SAT preparation for low-income high school students. I have privately tutored for other standardized tests, including the ACT, GRE, and GMAT. Teaching and tutoring remain a passion of mine and a means to enrich others.

Randy R

Teaching Style

Teaching is truly the joy of my life. I enjoy seeing students discover their gifts, and then watching them develop them. My philosophy of teaching is one of interaction rather than lecture. Students learn more effectively when they are partners in the learning experience. Reading comprehension and writing skills are both areas where students must feel a sense of ownership in learning. Also, technology has provided a unique platform for helping students feel empowered, and they are better able to take an active role. Teaching has evolved over the past thirty years from a passive experience on the part of the student to an active one. I am happy to be a teacher during a progressive age.

Experience Summary

I have a broad background as an educator. My years in the classroom as both an English teacher and an assistant principal have given me a unique perspective in both curriculum and the needs of the individual student. Following my public school years, I have taught freshman English composition at a local community college as well as served as a tutor to middle and high school students. I have enjoyed guiding students in improving their writing and analytical skills. I am also excited by the advantages of using the Internet as a teaching tool to a generation of technology-savvy students.

Arthur A

Teaching Style

I try to cultivate a student's curiosity, and then provide the necessary tools for learning. If students are curious and driven to learn, their potential is limitless. My goal is to help students learn through discovery. I am patient, considerate, and respectful of each student.

Experience Summary

While studying for my BA in English (Emphasis in Literature), I worked for two years as a writing tutor at the Hagan Writing Center. Tutoring was offered as a free service for interested students. (For some students, it was required). I tutored students at all levels from pre-College Writing to senior level literature courses. I completed work for my degree at three different colleges and universities in the United States and England, and I feel that the different teaching and learning methods I have seen have prepared me to be a more effective English tutor.