I tutor students in English—literature, language, and writing. I’m able to teach any aspect of academic or creative writing (such as craft, logic, analytic thinking, organization, style, grammar, imaginative thinking, overcoming writer’s block) and I love helping students understand and take charge of their own writing process. I can guide students through test preparation and composing college application essays, and help with first language interference (ESL) issues. I can also work as a more general academic coach, helping students manage their time, develop discipline, perseverance, and confidence, and learn how to navigate their own unique path through an educational system.
I tutor students of all ages--grade school through graduate school, professionals, internationals and native English speakers. As someone who grew up overseas (in Asia, Europe, Africa) I love working with students of all different nationalities. I'm functional (rusty, I'll admit) in both Spanish and French. My background in linguistics enables me to go beyond pointing out grammar/syntax errors to naming and explaining them. My vocation as a fiction writer (and interest in narrative theory) allows me to put aside rigid formulas; instead, I help students practice writing, observe their own writing more carefully, understand techniques in terms of their effects, and, in the process, discover their own unique style and voice.
I'm a flexible, interactive coach, comfortable in either a directive or non-directive role. I can custom-design lessons or simply move forward with a student's felt needs and interests. With high school students, I usually integrate an attention to current academic work (essay assignments, test preparation, college essays) with on-the-spot exercises designed to develop fluency, confidence, and mastery over a wider repertoire of technical and critical thinking skills. With children I focus primarily on helping them learn to love writing, reading, and learning. Generally, I insist that students, even the youngest ones, learn to identify and articulate both what they are doing well and what they wish to learn. The more attentive a student becomes to their own interests and abilities, the more meaningful and effective I believe their learning will be.
It's important to me that the process of learning to write feel life-giving and refreshing. While I am a meticulous critic, my first priority is to help students enter into a space of creative freedom and experimentation. (It's much easier and more productive to address errors from within that kind of space.)
While most students choose to work with me one-on-one, I have tutored pairs, small groups, even siblings. For younger children, I'm happy to collaborate with teachers, as long as parents initiate the communication between us.
Not every tutoring relationship is a match made in heaven. Consequently, for students seeking a long-term tutor, I like to set up an initial 45 minute session in which we can look over writing samples, discuss objectives, and get a sense for how it feels to work together--with no strings attached. Afterwards, if a student wants to continue, we can set up a regular weekly appointment. Parents of children are welcome to be present for all or part of these sessions.
At a parent's request, I will provide a formal written progress assessment following several months of tutoring.
Rates, Place, and Time:
I charge $10 for an initial session. Beyond this, rates are negotiable, depending on a student's resources and how frequently he/she would like to meet. Please call or email if you're interested.
I hold sessions either in my home office, or at a nearby coffee shop or library--wherever a student (or his/her parents) feels most comfortable. If you live within walking distance (I live in the Fox Point area of the East Side), I'm happy to come to your house. For an additional fee I'm willing to drive.
The best time for appointments are weekday afternoons and Saturdays. With graduate students I'm willing to meet in the evenings up until 11 PM. I usually don't work on Sundays.