Experience Summary
I first tutored for two years during high school when a family friend asked me to help him teach kids chess at four elementary schools. I thoroughly enjoyed these experiences and developed a patient tutoring style that emphasizes critical listening. I continued to tutor in college, after a professor recommended me to the Central Washington University Writing Center. I trained with eighteen other students and was one of five selected to continue in practicum classes for the 2008-2009 school year. I went on to work as a paid writing consultant for the fall and winter quarters of the 2009-2010 school year and consulted 293 undergraduate and graduate students on writing from a variety of disciplines.
Teaching Style
If students lack motivation or direction, it’s often because they are trying to perform an advanced task without basic skills. For example, many students know about the “five-paragraph essay” format, but don’t know how to organize the individual sentences. The first part of my philosophy focuses on providing students with these basic skills, as doing so prepares and makes them eager to face their assignments. The second part of my philosophy involves research. When students don’t know something, I’ve found that they will be quick to give up without considering the resources available. By showing students how to teach themselves, I let them know that they do have the opportunity and ability to succeed if they put in the effort.