Tom

Certified Tutor

I am a graduate of the University of Dallas, a liberal arts school where I received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus on philosophy and theater. Later, I received a Master of Arts in English from Saint Louis University where I concentrated in Medieval Literature. As a graduate teaching assistant, I taught freshman composition and literature survey courses while serving on staff at the Graduate Writing Center where I helped graduate students plan, develop, and improve their essays.

For a year after college, I worked as an intern and mentor at the Midtown Center in Chicago. Midtown sponsors supplementary after-school and summertime enrichment programs for kids that foster academic growth, character development, extra-curricular interests, and athletic sportsmanship. After grad school, I worked for three years as an instructor at the Heights School, a private independent preparatory school for boys outside of Washington DC. I taught tenth grade English, US History, and AP US Government the first two years, and then I transitioned during the third year to teach 3-5 grade math and art. After that, I moved back home to St. Louis where I spent the latest chapter of my career working for McGraw-Hill, a premier worldwide provider of educational products and services that shape learning in the digital age.

English is my area of expertise. I am an outstanding writer with a thorough command of English grammar, usage, vocabulary, and style. (I recently helped my mom write a book!) If you need help writing a paper, I'm your man. I also have experience and proficiency in: U.S. History and Government; World Literature; public speaking; algebra; logic; and standardized test prep.

At the beginning of a first teaching session, I like to get to know the student and obtain a sense of context by asking a few questions surrounding his/her desires, challenges, goals, etc. To me, a student is to be understood and respected as a person first and foremost. From there, my method is very practical. I try to meet students where they are and help them get to where they want to be.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve success in your studies!

P.S. Here are a few of my favorite hobbies, interests, and miscellaneous things: running; sports; fantasy baseball; computer programming; news & politics; art & theater; logic puzzles; board games, pop music, playing old school atari/nintendo games, funny t-shirts, fish & chips, and ice-cream sandwiches....I'll stop there since you probably have other things to do....