Experience Summary
I discovered the reward of helping others learn as a high school tutor. Later, as an English major, I tutored in our university's Writing Center.
After graduation, I was asked to continue as a tutor/writing consultant for eleven more years. Working with all ages, fields of study, and levels of need, I gained valuable experience guiding others through the writing and revision process. I also enjoyed working with those for whom English is a second language.
I have been a freelance book editor and writing consultant for the past several years. My skills best serve writing, reading, and language arts, but I am qualified to tutor any subject that requires proficiency in these areas.
Teaching Style
My tutoring practice employs the Socratic method to help students help themselves become better writers, self-editors, and critical thinkers. I do not take a red pencil to their work and "fix it" for them. I do not put words into their mouths to then put into their pens. Their voices remain their own. A strong tutor welcomes and encourages this ownership and self-expression while teaching at the same time.
A strong tutor also provides steady, patient guidance and gentle correction, but true learning takes place when students "see the light" for themselves -- a direct result of the collaborative effort involved in the tutoring experience.