Hello! I'm currently in graduate school pursuing a Masters in social work from The Ohio State University and have a BA in community education from the University of West Florida. I'm passionate about education and providing equal access to education. I believe in strengths based approaches, and love to make learning fun and engaging by utilizing a student's passions and skills.I have experience as a paraprofessional in elementary and high school settings. In both environments, I assisted students who were English language learners and students that had disabilities. These experiences have allowed me to develop my approach to instruction and assist struggling learners gain the knowledge and skills to meet their academic goals. For example, the students I have worked with have made significant gains in reading, with their test scores improving by up to two grade levels.

Hi, my name is Chris Ketchum. Originally from Moscow, Idaho, I graduated from Willamette University May 2015, where I majored in English/Creative Writing. I learned a huge appreciation for education from an amazing, lifelong network of students, professors, and administrators in both public and private institutions. I believe firmly that every student is capable of learning given the attention and opportunity they deserve, and that each road of critical thinking is individual and unique. I'm thrilled at the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me in the pursuit of a meaningful, enlightening life.I love all things reading and writing: literature and poetry, creative or technical, in English or Spanish. Books, music, and film are what I talk about in my spare time; how could I help but love to teach it?

To help nurture the next generation of young minds by implementing lesson plans that tailor to each individual need by encouraging them to always try their best and by instructing the way that works best for the student. I strongly value Gardner's Multiple Intelligence model for effective teaching.Creativity, intrinsic motivation & critical thinking skills are three pillars fundamental to improving study skills and active learning.

I am a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently, I'm studying in a 5 year dual-degree, dual certificate program called CASE (Combined Accelerated Studies in Education) to receive a bachelor's in Applied Developmental Psychology, a master's in education, a teaching certificate in PK-4th General Education, and a teaching certificate in PK-8th Special Education. I am also a Spanish minor and completing my certificate in Children's Literature. My future plan is to become an elementary teacher. I am well-versed in biology, psychology, English/writing, reading, elementary mathematics, and ACT test prep. Most of my previous tutoring experience has been in writing/reading test prep for high school aged students.I work as a teacher's helper at a local school during the school year and nanny two elementary age girls during the summer. I love using creative and inventive activities to teach students!

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University with a bachelors degree in both English and History and am currently pursuing my Masters degree in History at the University of Pennsylvania. My long-term goals include enrolling in a Phd program in the History department and becoming a form of history or social studies teacher post-graduation. I currently work with Varsity Tutoring as an online tutor and want to expand my tutoring opportunities. During my time at Cornell, I participated in a tutoring program for two years called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) which is an organization that aims to close the achievement gap between students and prepare them for college and other postsecondary opportunities. Many of the goals that were part of the program, such as teaching students skills and behaviors for academic success, providing intensive support to maintain positive student/teacher relationships and developing a sense of personal achievement through hard work.Part of AVID meant working with students from historically underrepresented communities. These students often had family problems or were the first person in their family hoping to attend college. I had to work with these students, through their personal problems and insecurities to develop a successful academic plan for success. As a tutor, I am extremely meticulous and keen on time management. I usually tutor in English or History for the regents, SAT subject tests, or Advanced Placement exams.My course of action involves three main steps:First, I identify the areas that the student needs the most help in. I prepare a simple and easy to read outline for them on the subject. I also make a few flash cards to get the student started, even if flashcards arent their preferred study method. This way, we have a starting point to work from. A tutor should put in just as much effort as their student is putting in. From my perspective, successful tutoring involves equal input and effort from both parties involved.Second, I identify the learning style of the student and ask them questions about what learning methods they prefer. This way, I can adjust the way I tutor in accordance to what works the best for the student. I want to be flexible as a teacher to be able to work with a particular students learning style, whether its hands on, visual, auditory, etc. When a student has a problem, I want to be able to work with other teachers to figure out the best way to give the student the support they need.Lastly, I create a tutor schedule with the student and show them exactly what we will review and how we will review it. This is to create a sense of organization for the student and myself. I want the student to provide feedback on tutoring methods because their input is crucial to the success of the tutoring. Communication between the tutor and student is key because if something is not working or the student is not understanding a particular topic, we need to work together to find a method that will work better for the student.Whether I tutor in large or small groups, I focus on the learning experience. I want my students to strength their imaginations, foster creativity, and put in the hard work that it takes to become independent as a student. I believe that giving these skills to students will allow them to become prepared for college and leave the world a better place than they found it. I hope that I can help facilitate the students in this rewarding process. I thank you for taking the opportunity to read my application and hope to hear back from you.

I received my BA cum laude in American Studies from Yale University in 2013, and worked for the past two years as the Exhibit Content and Media Coordinator at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. My experiences have given me insight into the best methods for teaching students in an exciting and engaging way, and I am excited to put these skills to work.I love working with students to perfect their essays, digging into the fundamentals of good writing to make sure we build lasting writing skills. My passion for history and writing, my skills as an editor and writer, and my comfort working with students of all ages make me a great fit for anyone seeking tutoring in history, literature, writing, and essay editing, or standardized test prep in those areas!My specialties are in writing, editing, history, and literature. As an American Studies major at Yale, I developed excellent analytical and creative writing skills. My senior thesis in American Studies examined the visual language of race and power in Korean war photography. Outside the classroom, I served as editor-in-chief of The Bullblog, Yale???s daily campus blog. I also served as a teacher in the Hillel Children???s School, a Jewish learning program for students aged K-8. In my role as classroom teacher, I was in charge of lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching Hebrew and Judaic studies to classes of middle school students.An important part of the mission at Varsity Tutors is working with students to engage them in learning. Similarly, my job at the EMK Institute was to frame public policy in a way that inspired people to become more civically engaged. As the Institute???s Exhibit Content and Media Coordinator, I was a hands-on developer of the Institute???s Senate Immersion Module program, in which students craft mock legislation in a full-scale replica of the Senate chamber. I worked alongside teachers to design educational programs, lesson plans, and curriculum that effectively communicated content to students and teachers. I also worked directly with middle and high school students, teaching them historical lessons and engaging them in debates on historical topics related to the United States Senate. I also honed my communication and classroom skills by training the first class of volunteer docents for the museum. It was my job to produce the 100-page training manual and to teach all of the historical content to the new tour guides. My experience at the EMK Institute gave me experience in a cutting-edge educational setting and prepared me for tutoring, particularly for middle and high school students.Please contact me with any further questions!

I am a recent graduate of the University of Rochester in upstate New York, with degrees in English Literature and French. I have experience tutoring students of all ages, from those who have just finished kindergarten all the way up to college students. I tutor in English (including reading for both younger and older students, essay prep including college essays, and editing), French of all levels, and test prep including SAT, PSAT, and AP tests in English and French. I believe that individualized teaching is most effective, and work to find methods that work best for each individual student. Some of my most rewarding teaching experiences have been young students learning to read, but also love to see a student who goes from struggling to success on their standardized tests. I believe that an education is one of the most influential things a person can possess, and am passionate about helping students succeed academically and helping them overcome frustration they may feel to begin to enjoy their education, too. Beyond academics, I passionately love to read, cook, and do yoga, which takes up much of my free time.

I attended high school near Gainesville, FL, and moved up to Boston for college in 2011. I received my BA in English from Northeastern University in May of 2014, and graduated summa cum laude with a GPA of 3.91. I am pursuing my MA in English at Northeastern University beginning fall of 2014, with an expected graduation date of May 2016. I've worked with students of all ages, grades, and levels, both informally during my high school years and more formally with 826 Boston. I tutor students in English and all related areas: language arts, essay writing, literature, and phonics, as well as test prep for the SAT Verbal, Critical Reading, and Writing, as well as the ACT English, Reading, and Writing. I have experience working with ESL students of all levels, and am working on my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification this summer. I love tutoring students in reading and literature; learning how to analyze literary works reveals so much more depth and makes reading such a rewarding experience. I also really enjoy working with ESL students, and attempting to learn several foreign languages on my own has given me a strong sense of respect for anyone attempting to learn to speak English. I make sure my students learn how to do their work themselves, and believe in breaking down different study procedures and subject matter into small, bite-size pieces. Every student has the potential to be a successful reader and a successful writer, and the two skills really go hand-in-hand. When I'm not in classes or working, I love to travel, and I spend a lot of time doing poetry-related activities: I write my own, read the work of my fellow poets, contribute and edit with a friend's independent publishing company, and attend all the readings and open mics I can. I also play terrible acoustic guitar covers, have lots of movie nights, and bake a mean banana nut muffin.

I am a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Mathematics. Since graduating, I have spent 30 years in Texas Public School classrooms teaching grades one through sixth and eighth grade mathematics. Since retiring from classroom teaching, I have been a substitute teacher in a local district teaching children in Pre-K through middle school. I have also tutored privately for the same age groups. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about mathematics, reading, and writing in the elementary school levels. Prepping students for the state testing has always been important and my students have shown great proficiency with the tests after prep. Over the years, I have found that instilling a love of learning fosters great success in mastery of their objectives. I believe that all children can obtain mastery when given learning experiences that fit their learning mode. Many learning experiences are offered to cover their material including hands-on activities, technology when available, as well as written lessons. When not working with children, I enjoy reading, sewing, walking, and creating crafts.

For the last six years I have tutored and taught from French to physics and back again. As a bachelor's graduate with a chemistry/physics degree, I know full well what's required to succeed in those subjects. I also know how to face the endless standardized tests and leave the battle in victory, not resignation. I've been speaking French since I was old enough to read and I have a Russian heritage that can help out with colloquialisms and grammar. Languages and linguistics are fascinating to me and I don't get to speak mine enough, so please speak them with me!My physics background, as well as my years of teaching, means I know a disturbing amount of math (through advanced calculus). Yet, I've also been reading since I was old enough to hold a flashlight (my eyes don't thank me), so if you need help with following any sort of literature, I've got your back (excluding the original text of the Canterbury tales, I never learned Middle English).Live long and prosper, friends.

Hello! I'm currently in graduate school pursuing a Masters in social work from The Ohio State University and have a BA in community education from the University of West Florida. I'm passionate about education and providing equal access to education. I believe in strengths based approaches, and love to make learning fun and engaging by utilizing a student's passions and skills.I have experience as a paraprofessional in elementary and high school settings. In both environments, I assisted students who were English language learners and students that had disabilities. These experiences have allowed me to develop my approach to instruction and assist struggling learners gain the knowledge and skills to meet their academic goals. For example, the students I have worked with have made significant gains in reading, with their test scores improving by up to two grade levels.

Hi, my name is Chris Ketchum. Originally from Moscow, Idaho, I graduated from Willamette University May 2015, where I majored in English/Creative Writing. I learned a huge appreciation for education from an amazing, lifelong network of students, professors, and administrators in both public and private institutions. I believe firmly that every student is capable of learning given the attention and opportunity they deserve, and that each road of critical thinking is individual and unique. I'm thrilled at the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me in the pursuit of a meaningful, enlightening life.I love all things reading and writing: literature and poetry, creative or technical, in English or Spanish. Books, music, and film are what I talk about in my spare time; how could I help but love to teach it?

To help nurture the next generation of young minds by implementing lesson plans that tailor to each individual need by encouraging them to always try their best and by instructing the way that works best for the student. I strongly value Gardner's Multiple Intelligence model for effective teaching.Creativity, intrinsic motivation & critical thinking skills are three pillars fundamental to improving study skills and active learning.

I am a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently, I'm studying in a 5 year dual-degree, dual certificate program called CASE (Combined Accelerated Studies in Education) to receive a bachelor's in Applied Developmental Psychology, a master's in education, a teaching certificate in PK-4th General Education, and a teaching certificate in PK-8th Special Education. I am also a Spanish minor and completing my certificate in Children's Literature. My future plan is to become an elementary teacher. I am well-versed in biology, psychology, English/writing, reading, elementary mathematics, and ACT test prep. Most of my previous tutoring experience has been in writing/reading test prep for high school aged students.I work as a teacher's helper at a local school during the school year and nanny two elementary age girls during the summer. I love using creative and inventive activities to teach students!

I am a recent graduate of Cornell University with a bachelors degree in both English and History and am currently pursuing my Masters degree in History at the University of Pennsylvania. My long-term goals include enrolling in a Phd program in the History department and becoming a form of history or social studies teacher post-graduation. I currently work with Varsity Tutoring as an online tutor and want to expand my tutoring opportunities. During my time at Cornell, I participated in a tutoring program for two years called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) which is an organization that aims to close the achievement gap between students and prepare them for college and other postsecondary opportunities. Many of the goals that were part of the program, such as teaching students skills and behaviors for academic success, providing intensive support to maintain positive student/teacher relationships and developing a sense of personal achievement through hard work.Part of AVID meant working with students from historically underrepresented communities. These students often had family problems or were the first person in their family hoping to attend college. I had to work with these students, through their personal problems and insecurities to develop a successful academic plan for success. As a tutor, I am extremely meticulous and keen on time management. I usually tutor in English or History for the regents, SAT subject tests, or Advanced Placement exams.My course of action involves three main steps:First, I identify the areas that the student needs the most help in. I prepare a simple and easy to read outline for them on the subject. I also make a few flash cards to get the student started, even if flashcards arent their preferred study method. This way, we have a starting point to work from. A tutor should put in just as much effort as their student is putting in. From my perspective, successful tutoring involves equal input and effort from both parties involved.Second, I identify the learning style of the student and ask them questions about what learning methods they prefer. This way, I can adjust the way I tutor in accordance to what works the best for the student. I want to be flexible as a teacher to be able to work with a particular students learning style, whether its hands on, visual, auditory, etc. When a student has a problem, I want to be able to work with other teachers to figure out the best way to give the student the support they need.Lastly, I create a tutor schedule with the student and show them exactly what we will review and how we will review it. This is to create a sense of organization for the student and myself. I want the student to provide feedback on tutoring methods because their input is crucial to the success of the tutoring. Communication between the tutor and student is key because if something is not working or the student is not understanding a particular topic, we need to work together to find a method that will work better for the student.Whether I tutor in large or small groups, I focus on the learning experience. I want my students to strength their imaginations, foster creativity, and put in the hard work that it takes to become independent as a student. I believe that giving these skills to students will allow them to become prepared for college and leave the world a better place than they found it. I hope that I can help facilitate the students in this rewarding process. I thank you for taking the opportunity to read my application and hope to hear back from you.

I received my BA cum laude in American Studies from Yale University in 2013, and worked for the past two years as the Exhibit Content and Media Coordinator at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. My experiences have given me insight into the best methods for teaching students in an exciting and engaging way, and I am excited to put these skills to work.I love working with students to perfect their essays, digging into the fundamentals of good writing to make sure we build lasting writing skills. My passion for history and writing, my skills as an editor and writer, and my comfort working with students of all ages make me a great fit for anyone seeking tutoring in history, literature, writing, and essay editing, or standardized test prep in those areas!My specialties are in writing, editing, history, and literature. As an American Studies major at Yale, I developed excellent analytical and creative writing skills. My senior thesis in American Studies examined the visual language of race and power in Korean war photography. Outside the classroom, I served as editor-in-chief of The Bullblog, Yale???s daily campus blog. I also served as a teacher in the Hillel Children???s School, a Jewish learning program for students aged K-8. In my role as classroom teacher, I was in charge of lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching Hebrew and Judaic studies to classes of middle school students.An important part of the mission at Varsity Tutors is working with students to engage them in learning. Similarly, my job at the EMK Institute was to frame public policy in a way that inspired people to become more civically engaged. As the Institute???s Exhibit Content and Media Coordinator, I was a hands-on developer of the Institute???s Senate Immersion Module program, in which students craft mock legislation in a full-scale replica of the Senate chamber. I worked alongside teachers to design educational programs, lesson plans, and curriculum that effectively communicated content to students and teachers. I also worked directly with middle and high school students, teaching them historical lessons and engaging them in debates on historical topics related to the United States Senate. I also honed my communication and classroom skills by training the first class of volunteer docents for the museum. It was my job to produce the 100-page training manual and to teach all of the historical content to the new tour guides. My experience at the EMK Institute gave me experience in a cutting-edge educational setting and prepared me for tutoring, particularly for middle and high school students.Please contact me with any further questions!

I am a recent graduate of the University of Rochester in upstate New York, with degrees in English Literature and French. I have experience tutoring students of all ages, from those who have just finished kindergarten all the way up to college students. I tutor in English (including reading for both younger and older students, essay prep including college essays, and editing), French of all levels, and test prep including SAT, PSAT, and AP tests in English and French. I believe that individualized teaching is most effective, and work to find methods that work best for each individual student. Some of my most rewarding teaching experiences have been young students learning to read, but also love to see a student who goes from struggling to success on their standardized tests. I believe that an education is one of the most influential things a person can possess, and am passionate about helping students succeed academically and helping them overcome frustration they may feel to begin to enjoy their education, too. Beyond academics, I passionately love to read, cook, and do yoga, which takes up much of my free time.

I attended high school near Gainesville, FL, and moved up to Boston for college in 2011. I received my BA in English from Northeastern University in May of 2014, and graduated summa cum laude with a GPA of 3.91. I am pursuing my MA in English at Northeastern University beginning fall of 2014, with an expected graduation date of May 2016. I've worked with students of all ages, grades, and levels, both informally during my high school years and more formally with 826 Boston. I tutor students in English and all related areas: language arts, essay writing, literature, and phonics, as well as test prep for the SAT Verbal, Critical Reading, and Writing, as well as the ACT English, Reading, and Writing. I have experience working with ESL students of all levels, and am working on my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification this summer. I love tutoring students in reading and literature; learning how to analyze literary works reveals so much more depth and makes reading such a rewarding experience. I also really enjoy working with ESL students, and attempting to learn several foreign languages on my own has given me a strong sense of respect for anyone attempting to learn to speak English. I make sure my students learn how to do their work themselves, and believe in breaking down different study procedures and subject matter into small, bite-size pieces. Every student has the potential to be a successful reader and a successful writer, and the two skills really go hand-in-hand. When I'm not in classes or working, I love to travel, and I spend a lot of time doing poetry-related activities: I write my own, read the work of my fellow poets, contribute and edit with a friend's independent publishing company, and attend all the readings and open mics I can. I also play terrible acoustic guitar covers, have lots of movie nights, and bake a mean banana nut muffin.

I am a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Mathematics. Since graduating, I have spent 30 years in Texas Public School classrooms teaching grades one through sixth and eighth grade mathematics. Since retiring from classroom teaching, I have been a substitute teacher in a local district teaching children in Pre-K through middle school. I have also tutored privately for the same age groups. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about mathematics, reading, and writing in the elementary school levels. Prepping students for the state testing has always been important and my students have shown great proficiency with the tests after prep. Over the years, I have found that instilling a love of learning fosters great success in mastery of their objectives. I believe that all children can obtain mastery when given learning experiences that fit their learning mode. Many learning experiences are offered to cover their material including hands-on activities, technology when available, as well as written lessons. When not working with children, I enjoy reading, sewing, walking, and creating crafts.

For the last six years I have tutored and taught from French to physics and back again. As a bachelor's graduate with a chemistry/physics degree, I know full well what's required to succeed in those subjects. I also know how to face the endless standardized tests and leave the battle in victory, not resignation. I've been speaking French since I was old enough to read and I have a Russian heritage that can help out with colloquialisms and grammar. Languages and linguistics are fascinating to me and I don't get to speak mine enough, so please speak them with me!My physics background, as well as my years of teaching, means I know a disturbing amount of math (through advanced calculus). Yet, I've also been reading since I was old enough to hold a flashlight (my eyes don't thank me), so if you need help with following any sort of literature, I've got your back (excluding the original text of the Canterbury tales, I never learned Middle English).Live long and prosper, friends.