Julia
Certified Tutor
I earned my Bachelor of Arts with Honors in English Literature and Studio Art from the University of Virginia. In the coming year I will be attending the Art Institute of Chicago as a graduate student in the Film, Video, New Media, Animation department. Eventually I hope to teach at the university level. As a member of the community scholar program at UVa, I have mentored Studio Art students at the undergraduate level for nearly two years.
I believe that learning is a holistic pursuit. Everything is connected. Basic knowledge builds to become advanced, nuanced knowledge. I want students to truly learn an appreciation for learning and to develop their personal interests and achievements to the fullest. I am excited to tutor English writing and literature as well as studio art because both enable students to develop their own ideas and creativity.
For me traveling fosters creativity as well as a sense of community with new and differing perspectives, which is integral to learning. I've spent time in Spain, England, France, Germany, South Africa, Honduras and most recently, Argentina where I worked as an Artist in Residence. I am already planning more adventures in Central and South America for the coming year.
Whether I am abroad or at home, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, cooking and painting. I am always reading and keeping up to date on current literature and art. For me, all of these activities invigorate my mind. I'm excited to share these passions with students and to help students cultivate their love for learning!
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Virginia-Main Campus - Bachelors, Studio Art and English
Graduate Degree: School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Masters, Film, Video, New Media, Animation
- SAT Verbal: 760
Filmmaking, Cinema, Contemporary Art and Poetry, Fiction, Cooking, Rock Climbing, Hiking, International Travel
- AP Art History
- AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
- AP US History
- Art
- College English
- College Essays
- College Level American History
- Comparative Literature
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- History
- Literature
- Reading
- SAT Reading
- Social Studies
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in holistic learning. Knowledge should build on the basics; true understanding comes from time and practice. At the same time, I believe that true learning must be desired, not enforced. For me, the best moment in teaching comes when the student begins to think analytically and take pleasure in the strength of their own mind.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session, I will discuss with the student (and potentially parent) weaknesses and strengths, and what they want to focus on in our sessions. I will establish a routine for each session and determine a plan for the student's success.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I believe that reading, coupled with an analytical/critical component, is the key to independent learning. If we read more, we know more, and this enables us to form our own ideas and think independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Staying motivated can be difficult when the task at hand seems futile. As a general practice, I would stress the larger picture. When it comes down to specific moments of frustration or lack of motivation, I believe in stepping back from the problem to exercise a different part of the mind. Then, returning to the problem can seem less strenuous.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
It's important to understand why a particular skill or concept is difficult for a certain student. First, I would try to understand this difficulty, then navigate the student towards a different way of understanding. Everyone learns differently, so if something doesn't make sense just by listening, perhaps writing will help.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
The key to being a better reader is to read more and read widely, and then to practice writing about what you've read. I believe that this practice, coupled with looking up every word that the student doesn't understand, will help the student better comprehend, not just literature, but other forms of media, such as current events and history.