Experience Summary
My name is Leigha, and I am a Senior English Literature and Cultural Studies student at the University of Oklahoma. I'm helpful, humorous, and happy!
Literature, reading and writing, and communication are my forte. With over 4 years of studying English Literature and Cultural studies, I aim to help students become more comfortable with not only expressing themselves, but helping them understand literature and grammar. Luckily, my interests range from world literature to Shakespeare to contemporary literature and poetry. Being a writer myself, I try to focus on creating pieces of writing that are not only enjoyable and express who I am as a writer, but that are clear and grammatically-correct.
I have over 4 years in helping junior high and high school students learn public speaking and debate, with over 7 years of my own competitive public speaking experience as well. Because of this, reading and writing, research, and persuasion are a specialization of mine. This involves lecturing to students about sociological, philosophical, and political issues, as well as working one-on-one with students on speech-making and argumentative skills, which directly impact critical thinking skills and writing. As well, this means that I will connect with students on a human level, treating them as fellow learners and lovers of knowledge. In my experience, this creates not only a more comfortable learning environment, but a better relationship between myself and the students I teach.
Luckily, I have the ability to transport myself, meaning I am perfect for those students looking for a tutor who can come to them. But, if students would prefer online tutoring and teaching, access to the internet and other software that promotes learning is possible for me at all times. Digital learning is almost necessary in today's world, and I am very competent in computer usage that makes online tutoring not only possible, but even preferable.
Teaching Style
I love learning, and consider myself a life-long student, even as I study to become a teacher myself. Teaching students about what I love to study is necessary and productive to my own understanding of concepts. I am a firm believer that students also teach through the process of creating a learning atmosphere that not only prepares students, but makes better teachers as well. With over 7 years in work experience, I am a dedicated, productive student and worker that will ensure that each and every student I tutor is satisfied with the help I provide. If they aren't satisfied, instead of quitting on a student, I want to make sure that I make myself a better tutor for students. I aim to be relatable, open to questions, and love to create dialogue between myself and students to best accommodate their needs. As a tutor, I aim to teach students through easy-to-understand, accessible communication that can make vague concepts more concrete. Additionally, I have been an artist for most of my life, and love incorporating visual tools and other methods to teach!
My Hobbies
People have described me as funny, compassionate, and smart. But, really, I like to think about all my daily interactions with others as an opportunity to teach and create dialogue. Communicating new concepts and helping others learn isn't just something I'd love to do as a job, it's my passion.
Additionally, I am a 5th year policy debater at the Shannon Self Policy Debate Team at the University of Oklahoma. I love learning about critical theory, philosophy, government policy, and even about how to make arguments at all! Most people would think of competitive debate and speech-making as a class, but it's one of my passions. I love talking, communication, and oddly enough, researching for my arguments. It helps me channel my competitive spirit! But, I've also made life-long friends through the activity.
My personal belief is that everyone can debate. That's why I also spend a lot of my free time teaching students competing in debate how to make better speeches, do better research, and win! Being an effective communicator and being unafraid of public speaking is something I think students need to be more successful.
Hobbies: visual arts, 2-D drawing, pop culture, philosophy, video games, and music. I also love hanging out with my family, and try to be a mentor to my 17-year-old sister.
Interests: Fine art, communication, education, rhetoric, pop culture, politics, history, philosophy, critical theory, film, television, and animation.