Stephanie
Certified Tutor
I have a B.A. in English Language and Literature, and in Cinema and Media Studies from The University of Chicago, and an M.A. in Film Studies from The University of Iowa, where I also spent two years as a T.A., teaching undergraduate courses in film studies and related fields. I firmly believe that self-confidence, far more than ambition or natural aptitude, is the greatest determinant of success in an academic setting. By "confidence" I mean not only confidence in ones mastery of topical material, but, more fundamentally, confidence in ones ability to learn and think independently. As an instructor, I am dedicated to helping students succeed because I know from my own experiences as a student that, at every level of education, from elementary to graduate school, the support and encouragement of a passionate teacher can turn a diffident or apathetic underachieving student into a classroom star.
My favorite subject to tutor is standardized test prep (SAT, ACT, GRE, etc.) because such tests cover a finite body of material that can be taught and mastered. In addition to test prep, I also tutor a number of English related subjects (including Writing, Literature, Essay Editing, and Grammar), and offer help with Study Skills and Organization. In my free time, I enjoy reading, music, travel, and photography.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Chicago - Bachelors, Cinema and Media Studies / English Language and Literature
Graduate Degree: University of Iowa - Masters, Film Studies
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1510
- SAT Math: 710
- SAT Verbal: 780
- SAT Writing: 700
- GRE Verbal: 170
- American Literature
- CAHSEE English
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
- CLEP English Literature
- CLEP Humanities
- College English
- College Essays
- College Level American Literature
- Comparative Literature
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Subject Test in Literature in English
- GRE Subject Tests
- GRE Verbal
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Literature
- LSAT Analytical Reasoning
- LSAT Logical Reasoning
- Other
- PSAT Critical Reading
- PSAT Writing Skills
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Subject Test in Literature
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- SAT Writing and Language
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Vocabulary
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I firmly believe that self-confidence, far more than ambition or natural aptitude, is the greatest determinant of success in an academic setting. By "confidence" I mean not only confidence in ones mastery of topical material, but also, more fundamentally, confidence in one’s ability to learn and think independently. As an instructor, I am dedicated to helping students succeed because I know from my own experiences as a student that, at every level of education, from elementary to graduate school, the support and encouragement of a passionate teacher can turn a diffident or apathetic underachieving student into a classroom star.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first meeting is for getting to know the student and establishing a direction for future sessions. I will ask a lot of questions about what the student hopes to gain from tutoring, and how they hope it will help them achieve both their specific objectives (e.g., passing a class, acing the SAT math section) and long-term goals (college applications, future career). Then I will have the student work through some diagnostic materials from the tutoring website in order to get a clearer picture of where they currently stand: how they think, how they approach new problems, and which areas (if any) are more or less difficult for them.