Experience Summary
I am a Cum Laude graduate with a B.A. from Belmont University, and I have been an educator for more than a decade since. My experience includes classroom teaching, small group instruction, and individualized tutoring (in person OR online via Zoom, email, FaceTime etc.) I specialize in English, Language Arts, writing composition, Latin, and other Humanities subjects. But I am also an effective & experienced instructor of Maths or Sciences. Outside of subject-specific tutoring, I offer assistance with academic advising, study skills, test prep, daily homework, and any written assignments. A lot of my clients are seeking instructional guidance through the essay writing process - outlining, paragraph drafting, content development, research/source usage, grammar/mechanics, sentence structure, etc. My students have ranged in age from preschool through college, and I have a very strong record of raising academic achievement in proficiency & scores.
In teaching any subject I aim to cultivate in my students advanced analytical skills to help them solve the many puzzles they will encounter on the noble path of education. Those invaluable tools will extend across the curriculum and lead to success in the professional world.
Teaching Style
As a tutor, I find that it is important to present the material to the students in a way that they can relate to. My job as an educator is to teach them how to learn it and make them want to learn it. I personally do not believe that negative reinforcement is beneficial. Positive responses to students are extremely valuable, even if they may occasionally give the wrong answer. This will give them the motivation to do well. My philosophy is that teaching is part knowledge, part communication, and part intuition. My intuition is necessary to understand where a student is getting stuck. I myself already understand the material; the challenge is to understand why a student does not. A variety of communicative teaching approaches is best. I have learned that different students respond to visual, auditory, or tactile methods. As always, continuous practice is extremely important. I also must be prepared to make critical decisions regarding the needs of individual students. My own education in my field has been very fulfilling. But what fulfills me more is passing on the fruits of my education to others. I enjoy explaining to students the things that I know, and the rewards of their comprehension are invaluable. Encouraging students to desire knowledge can sometimes be a challenge. But I have found that it is best to create a strong rapport with them that urges them to be responsive. Only when I connect with the students can I engage them in the subject. Although I am their instructor, I want the students to feel comfortable enough to tell me what is making them struggle and know that I will be compassionate to their strife. It is not just important for me to teach the material. It is also important for me to foster in the students the skill it takes to learn that material, and consequently, any material. My experience with the structure of a number of languages has taught me the crucial skills of analysis, interpretation, logical deduction, and critical thinking. I have tutored English, Latin, Italian, and ancient Greek for over six years, and I taught Latin at a private high school as well. I am well equipped to teach students the abilities it takes to learn, practice, study, and understand language structure, grammar, reading, and writing.
My Hobbies
Interests: Ancient languages; Writing composition; Archaeology; Anthropology; Theology; Linguistics; Studio art; Literature; Philosophy; Foreign languages; Competitive horseback riding; Traveling abroad; Gardening; Music, especially piano
Other Comments
I am highly trained in the study of all levels of Latin and effective language instructional methods. My experience includes teaching the subject in the classroom and tutoring it for seven years. My refined linguistic skills have made me an expert in all types of writing composition and essay structure. Correlated to my talent with languages, I have proven academic and instructional excellence in all facets of English Language Arts, including extensive grammar, sentence structure, the stages of the writing process, and the formulas of all the various types of essays/papers.
Type |
Level |
Year |
Title |
Issued By |
Degree |
Bachelors |
2008 |
Classical Studies |
Belmont University |
Other |
Undergraduate Education |
2008 |
Cum Laude graduate |
Belmont University |
Degree |
HS Diploma |
2003 |
High School Graduate |
Harpeth Hall School |
Award |
Advanced Placement |
2003 |
Advanced Placement Scholar with ... |
Harpeth Hall School |
Award |
High School |
2003 |
Susan S. Souby Award for Excelle... |
Harpeth Hall School |
Award |
High School |
2003 |
Senior Award for Excellence in L... |
Harpeth Hall School |
Award |
High School |
2001 |
The Otterson Award for Achieveme... |
Harpeth Hall School |
Award |
International Honor Society |
2008 |
Phi Sigma Iota International For... |
Belmont University |
Award |
Honor Society |
2009 |
Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in ... |
Belmont University |
Other |
High School |
2003 |
Magna Cum Laude Graduate |
Harpeth Hall School |
Other |
Graduate Coursework |
2011 |
Education |
Belmont University |
Award |
Latin I-IV |
2000 |
Excellence in Latin, multiple 1s... |
American Classical League |
Other |
Dean's List (every semester) |
2008 |
Academic excellence |
Belmont University |
Other |
Advanced Placement Credits |
2003 |
College credits in English, Lati... |
College Board |
Other |
Honor Society |
2004 |
Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Soc... |
University of Richmond |
Other |
Masters (in progress) |
2011 |
Graduate coursework-Teaching met... |
Belmont University |