Douglas
Certified Tutor
I am excited to meet you! As a first generation college student, I have had the great fortune to teach and tutor students from all walks of life. I have been teaching and tutoring professionally since 2002. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Culture from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University with a minor in Women's Studies. I hold a Master of Arts in German literature, culture, and sociolinguistics from the University of California at Berkeley where I was the recipient of the prestigious Eugene Cota-Robles Diversity Fellowship. I also hold a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Public Administration from Northern Arizona University. I have taught and tutored languages, public speaking, debate, English, and several other topics at UC Berkeley, Stanford University, Arizona State University, University of Phoenix, Maricopa Community College District, Paradise Valley School District, Oakland Unified School District, in addition to private clients.
I work very well with students for whom English is not a first language and with students who have a genuine desire to learn a topic. My experience with a wide range of students hailing from different socioeconomic, linguistic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds has shaped my tutoring style to be patient, respectful, humble, and engaging. My youngest tutee was 7 years old, and the oldest was 82. All age groups are very enjoyable to tutor. I don't make up answers and I let my students know if I need to research something in greater depth to answer the 'why' questions. The joy of seeing a student reach the point of understanding a topic which has been difficult for them in the past to be most rewarding.
Outside of work, I enjoy cycling, public speaking, politics (I'm a self-professed political guru), hiking, spending time with my children, and working to serve the less fortunate in my community. Most exciting for me is seeing students succeed. I look forward to helping you in any way I am able.
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Undergraduate Degree: Arizona State University - Bachelors, German and Women's Studies
Graduate Degree: University of California-Berkeley - Masters, German Literature and Culture/Applied Linguistics
Learning, foreign languages, sociolinguistics, hiking, interacting with different cultures, spending time with my family
- College English
- College Essays
- Comparative Literature
- Conversational German
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- German
- German 1
- German 2
- German 3
- German 4
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Languages
- Literature
- Other
- Public Speaking
- Reading
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Students who maintain an open mind and who have the willingness to learn will be successful in any endeavor. I firmly believe the relationship between teacher and student is based on trust, openness, and the understanding that both parties are engaging in a learning "conversation" in which both parties participate.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
It is important to know a bit about my student and what s/he is hoping to achieve during each session. Students should feel comfortable with their teacher, and it is important to build rapport during the first session. A plan will then be created and objectives decided upon by both the teacher and student.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
It is important to remember that in order to become an independent learner, the learning process should be a conversation between teacher and student. Students should feel comfortable asking questions and seek to understand the material and its application. My role is to help the student grow by challenging her/him with questions and scenarios.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
It is important for students to remember that we are all learners. We never stop being students. Learning can be difficult, and it is important for a student to know that her/his teacher knows what it is like to learn the material being taught. A pep talk to boost confidence and to build rapport is critical in this learning relationship.