
Ella
Certified Tutor
I like learning anything new and enjoy reading, but I'm not fond of school. I made good grades
only when the subject interested me. However, I have always done very, very well on
standardized tests, probably because I read so much. I was a National Merit finalist and my
LSAT score was in the 99th percentile. In today's system, that is about a 174. I attended law
school at the University of Houston, graduated, passed the Texas bar with a decent score of 83,
and practiced law for a long time. I quit practicing law when I moved to a small town in Central
Texas.
I began tutoring about a few years ago and discovered that I truly enjoy the intellectual
challenge of tutoring and the opportunity to interact with a lot of bright, hard-working students. I
had never tutored or taught before, so I read lots of study guides and picked out suggestions
and tactics that made sense to me. I look for multiple ways to illustrate concepts because
everyone understands information differently. My work with students is based on my
experience, what I have studied, and feedback from my students. I think that tackling a problem
directly is usually faster than looking for a trick or shortcut.
I also help students with their applications and enjoy tutoring in writing and similar topics.
Connect with a tutor like Ella
Undergraduate Degree: University of Houston - Bachelors, Journalism
Graduate Degree: University of Houston - Juris Doctor, Prelaw Studies
- LSAT: 172
gardening, nature, political activism, travel, writing, reading mysteries and non-fiction (especially how-to), experimental cooking, giving parties, driving country roads.
- Administrative Law
- Bar Exam
- Business
- Business Writing
- College Business
- College English
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Family Law
- GMAT Verbal
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Verbal
- Journalism
- Law
- Legal Writing
- LSAT
- LSAT Analytical Reasoning
- LSAT Argumentative Writing
- LSAT Logical Reasoning
- LSAT Reading Comprehension
- Persuasive Writing
- Professional Certifications
- Property Law
- Reading
- Texas Bar Exam
- Tort Law
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
People learn in different ways, and a good teacher knows the subject so well that he or she can present the information in a variety of ways. I look for the principle of a concept and begin with that. I like to use real-world examples and practical applications as often as I can.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I'd ask about the textbook, the teacher, and previous classes in this subject. I'd find out where the student is having challenges and see if he or she knows why. I'd find out what the student does well in and ask what is different about that class. We'd review the last test or homework.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Students need to know how to assess the quality of the information they see on the internet. They should understand their own learning styles and how to find or ask for instructional material that fits that style. Many students could use some help with study habits.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I'd see if there is an underlying concept that the student doesn't know and see if there is an example that the student is already familiar with.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I begin with something the student enjoys reading about a topic he or she know something about. I'd see if the student has learning difficulties and ask the student to read aloud to me.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
It is hard for a student to be excited or engaged with a subject that he or she is struggling in. I would challenge the student to find an aspect of the subject that is exciting and to find an application of the topic that is relevant to him or her.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I'd ask a student to explain the material to me and then ask how to explain it to a younger student. I'd ask the student to give three examples of the material in the real world.