Experience Summary
I am a seasoned literary specialist, I GET TANGIBLE RESULTS. I have been the Executive Director of a literary organization for over 20 years, and I have taught all ages of students in elementary, high school and colleges, as well as adults out of college. I have been actively tutoring private students for three years. I absolutely love working with young (and young at heart) people. I have exceptional reasoning, writing, reading and comprehension skills.
I excel working with elementary, middle and high school children and youth. I can help with remedial tutoring and advance a gifted student who needs a challenge. I can help your student write successful papers -- from applications to school assignments, sharpen and deepen their capacity for writing, dramatically improve reading skills, and successfully edit school papers. I also support parents in gaining help at school sites. I coach students taking the ISEE exam. I am warm, friendly and focused. I can provide references.
Teaching Style
I assess the student's level of mastery by listening to parents, communicating with the student (in whatever appropriate way needed) and then doing some basic testing. Once the student is assessed, I design a learning environment and activities that coincide with the student's specific strengths, while adding some elements of challenge. I tend to work in a very focused way for 10-15 minutes, and then add in tactile activities (like Bannana Grams for example) for 10 minutes or so, in order to maintain the student's attention. Children and youth who are struggling to read and write get patient assistance to learn the words correctly. My work will improve writing techniques (including essays and basic writing skills), reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and literary creativity. For younger children I work with acquiring reading skills, word recognition, pattern recognition, spelling, grammar, punctuation, handwriting and more. I am very patient, and excel at finding creative solutions for those with learning differences, and those who are struggling with specific issues.
For college students I communicate primarily online, via email, and edit papers by sending drafts back and forth. Meetings are focused on reviewing changes I've made so that the student can begin to gain mastery in the editing process.
My Hobbies
theater, parenting, listening to music, reading, writing, bike riding
Other Comments
I absolutely love working with young people and young and older adult students. I am an excellent communicator, and I am very creative in helping people understand new concepts, and hone and sharpen skills and assets.
"Amy has taught my daughter to focus her writing, and dramatically improve her ability to use language as an expressive tool." - Parent of 7th Grade Student
"Amy increased my daughter's ability to read by two grade levels in just one year." -Parent of 6th Grade Student
"We continue to work with Amy because our 2nd grade son went from hating to read to loving it, and has improved greatly in his ability to both read and write. She is so creative in finding ways to engage him, he loves seeing her every week." -Parents of a 2nd Grade Student
ADD/ADHD |
Proficiency: I know the basics
|
Many of my students struggle with this learning issue, but can overcome and learn how to navigate with it! |
American History |
Proficiency: I know the basics
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I can help with reading for comprehension and understanding the facts and the historical frameworks underlying American History. |
Basic Learning Skills |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
All part of the tailored approach. |
Communications |
Proficiency: Expert
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Having run an arts non-profit for 15 years, I have excellent Communications skills and knowledge, and editing expertise. |
Composition |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
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I have exceptional literary skills and am an excellent editor |
Continuing Education |
Proficiency: Experienced
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Reentering college can be challenging with the responsibilities of adulthood. Having support can be key. |
Creative Arts |
Proficiency: Expert
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Acting, playwriting, creativity, poetry... literary arts |
Creative Writing |
Proficiency: Expert
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I primarily work with creative writers in my professional life. |
Drama |
Proficiency: Expert
|
I have been a theater artist all of my adult life. I can coach acting, tutor folks learning lines, or help a college student non major understand and know theater history. |
Dyslexia |
Proficiency: Experienced
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I am currently working with a Dyslexic 2nd grader, with great success! |
Elementary |
Proficiency: Expert
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Any subject at the elementary level, but particularly literary and language arts. |
Elementary Grammar |
Proficiency: Expert
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All part of writing! |
Elementary Phonics |
Proficiency: Expert
|
All part of reading! |
Elementary Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
|
I tailor the experience of reading to each child so that they experience both success and challenge. Learning language patterns, word recognition, and decoding are all skills I teach. |
Elementary Vocabulary |
Proficiency: Expert
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Vocabulary is my specialty. I love words and language. |
English |
Proficiency: Expert
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General English Language acquisition is one of my strengths. |
Entrance Exams |
Proficiency: Experienced
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In particular the ISEE exam. |
Grammar |
Proficiency: Expert
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I can teach grammar, and I can also edit your work for grammar and punctuation. |
Homework Help |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
Patience and working to help student gain her/his own mastery is my approach. |
Language Arts |
Proficiency: Expert
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All literary subjects are the love of my life. I have made my living for the past 15 years working with literature and writing. |
Literature |
Proficiency: Expert
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I can recommend excellent literature for all ages, grade-levels, and abilities -- and interests! |
Marketing |
Proficiency: Expert
|
As above, I can consult with you on your marketing efforts and help you make a marketing plan. |
Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
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I know how to motivate students to not only read better, but also enjoy it! |
Reading Comprehension |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
Reading comprehension is something I truly excel at, whether for the young beginning reader, the struggling student, or the advanced and hungry reader, looking for a challenge. |
Resume Writing |
Proficiency: Expert
|
Your resume will be competitive once I'm finished with it! |
SAT - Verbal |
Proficiency: I know the basics
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Let's work together to increase your chances! |
Shakespeare |
Proficiency: Expert
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I know Shakespeare inside and out, with more than 25 years in the theater. |
Social Studies |
Proficiency: Experienced
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Basic elementary school social studies is a subject I can tutor. |
Spelling |
Proficiency: Expert
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Spelling is similar to learning patterns in mathematics, once you learn the patterns, the sounds, and the rules, you are set! |
Study Skills |
Proficiency: Experienced
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Learning HOW to study, how to memorize, how to find the most important information, and retain it, is my approach. |
Test Preparation |
Proficiency: Experienced
|
Bring it on!! |
Typing Skills |
Proficiency: I know the basics
|
I can help a student with the basics of typing on a keyboard, I am completely fluent myself. |
World History |
Proficiency: Experienced
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World History paper editing, understanding timelines and culture. |
Writing |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
I love to write, I love to read, and I love to teach others to write well! I also am exceptional at editing papers and essays. |
Writing Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
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This is one of my top skills. |