Jess: Leeds tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a Colorado native, and have been living in New York City for almost four years. I completed the Teach for America program, and then taught at a charter school in Harlem for three years while also earning my Masters in Science from CUNY- Hunter College. I have extensive tutoring experience, teaching students of all ages in a wide range of subjects. I absolutely love teaching history and social studies, and am very familiar with the Common Core standards and NY State Tests. I also enjoy tutoring students in reading, essay writing, and public speaking. I have traveled all over, and spent six months studying abroad in La Paz, Bolivia. My BA is in International Affairs from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and I absolutely love learning (and teaching) about the world! I try to make learning as fun and exciting as possible, so I use many different tutoring materials and techniques that are the best fit for each of my students and their individual needs. In my spare time I love going to concerts and spending time outdoors. I also enjoy skiing, cooking, yoga, and watching Youtube videos of adorable animals! I look forward to meeting and working with you!
Connect with a tutor like Jess
Undergraduate Degree: University of Colorado Boulder - Bachelors, International Affairs
Graduate Degree: CUNY Hunter College - Masters, General and Special Education (Grades 1-6)
Music, yoga, cooking, skiing, animals, community service!
- College English
- Elementary School Reading
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Other
- Public Speaking
- Reading
- Special Education
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is that all students can learn anything with the right instruction, materials, and support! Learning should be fun and engaging, and that way every student can accomplish their academic goals!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first thing I would do is learn about the student, and figure out what areas they need help with. I would use a variety of assessments to determine what the student already knows, and what they still need to learn. I would make sure the first session is fun and engaging, so I can start building a strong relationship with my student, which allows me to support them in their learning as best as I possibly can!
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Successful tutoring and teaching is all about scaffolding. Building up from where the student is, while making them do the "heavy lifting" when it comes to the actual academic work. You don't want to make things too hard for the student all at once, or else they will get discouraged. The best strategy is to go step-by-step, making each part of the learning process fun and enjoyable, while also challenging the student to continue to improve. This is the best way to support students and allow them to become independent learners!
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I make sure my students stay motivated by making learning fun! I make sure to use different strategies and materials, so that students stay interested in the work, and want to continue trying their best!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student is struggling to learn a specific skill or concept, I would tap into what kind of learner they are (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) and use the corresponding materials and strategies that are best for them. This will help them take in the information easily, and not overwhelm them in a negative way.