Vanessa: Plymouth tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a Curriculum Consultant who designs and implements professional development and delivers AIS instruction in reading in elementary grades. Prior to that, I taught middle and high school English for 18 years. My expertise in English and Literacy has enabled my students to make consistent, significant growth in reading and on national, state, and local assessments. I want to share my expertise and passion for learning with others so that they can experience similar success.
Connect with a tutor like Vanessa
Undergraduate Degree: SUNY College at Cortland - Bachelors, English - Secondary Education
Graduate Degree: SUNY College at Cortland - Masters, Literacy
Dance, sight-seeing and exploring, camping, and all things outdoor music and sunshine. I was a Zumba instructor, choreographer, performer, and have danced my whole life. I cheered professionally for two professional sports organizations and I love live sporting and music events. I exercise regularly and read both for pleasure and for learning. Variety helps the mind and body grow!
- ACT English
- ACT Writing
- American Literature
- College English
- College Level American Literature
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- High School English
- High School Level American Literature
- High School Writing
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Phonics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy involves a balance of teaching, building relationships, and learning. I am an expert in my field. In building trusting relationships with my students, I am better able to facilitate learning for my students. The more we trust each other, the more we both teach and learn.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, we would get to know each other so that we can develop a positive rapport and plan for success.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I help students become independent learners by modeling the expectations for each task situation and scaffolding instruction gradually to put more responsibility and independence on the student.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I would break down the concept into manageable chunks for mastery, and then build upon what was learned to help master the concept.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I try to get students excited and engaged in subjects in which they are struggling by making connections between the subject and their own interests and experiences.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Students build confidence in subjects by experiencing success in them. In breaking down material into manageable sections for little victories, students are able to build success and confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Student needs are evaluated based on conversations with students and parents, test scores, and what needs to be accomplished.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Tutoring is adapted based on students' learning styles.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Materials used are dependent on the course being tutored.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Motivation is different for all students. The path for helping a student stay motivated is something that is determined during the needs assessment of the student.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
The reading level of the student largely determines the strategies used to increase reading comprehension. Some strategies include direct teaching of close reading, listening to texts while reading, and specific guided reading questions to lead students to the importance of selected readings.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Successful strategies are dependent on the student. What works with one student may not work with another. Many times, it is as simple as rewarding with stickers and working towards a goal or material reward.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Techniques to ensure that a student understands the material vary between simple question and answer to creating synthesis projects that apply taught concepts to real-life situations.