Ian

Certified Tutor

I hold a Ph.D. and an M.A. in History from the University of New Mexico and a B.A. in History from the University of San Francisco. My wide variety of teaching experience has provided me the skills necessary to be a dynamic educator. While earning my M.A. I worked as a tutor for a university-run program for high school students. After finishing my M.A., I spent a year teaching English as a foreign language in Madrid, Spain, which offered me diverse teaching challenges. I taught all age groups: three- to five-year olds in Montessori schools, students of all ages in public schools, teenagers and adults in their homes, and adults in an international business. Through these experiences I developed various pedagogical strategies that engaged and educated a diversity of students with different learning types. While a Ph.D. student I spent three years as a graduate teaching assistant and three semesters teaching the Western Civilization 102 survey course. As an instructor I focus not only on the "what" but also on the "why and how." In doing so, my goal is to teach students critical thinking skills, getting them to deliberate and reflect rather than simply regurgitate information. I also have experience in professional editing and in my classes I place great emphasis on writing. Along with grammar, I teach students how to organize arguments, convey them in a clear and concise manner, and support them with analysis of evidence. I find my role as an educator, tutor, and mentor to be highly fulfilling and immensely enjoyable, especially in history and writing.