Laura: Richton Park tutor

Certified Tutor

My teaching philosophy is to empower students to set and achieve their goals. I facilitate an environment conducive to learning by creating a safe learning environment where all students feel comfortable trying new things, making mistakes, and developing strengths.

The summer prior to my senior year of college, at Camp Ramapo in New York, I worked with both children and young adults with special needs. I created unique and fun lessons for each child to learn and excel in a way that each child understood given the child's individual circumstance. Additionally, I worked as a counselor for The Staff Assistant Experience Program, a program that helps young men and women with special needs transition to independent living. In this role, I taught the participants life skills such as how to clean and how to process strong emotions in a healthy way.

In college, I was president of Classical Studies Club, facilitating many events where my peers were involved in classical history. These events included writing and reading Latin, reading Greek and Roman myths, and talking about famous Greek poets and Roman warriors.

In law school, I focused on immigration law and criminal defense. I was the treasurer of the International Refugee Assistance Program("IRAP.") During this time, I developed my critical thinking, analytical writing, and communication skills. I assisted clients in setting realistic goals and gave the clients tools to achieve those goals. Further, I acted as an advocate for clients and vulnerable, marginalized groups, working to ensure all people were treated fairly.

The following list contains some of ways I have taught students in the past:

-incorporating art (paint, chalk, markers)
-sign language
-utilizing technology (ex: watching short educational YouTube videos, playing educational game on phone/tablet)
-having lessons outdoors
-acting
-science experiments

My love for Latin, History, English, Literature, and the legal profession, along with my compassion, understanding, and desire to see all people succeed, led me to working at Varsity Tutors. Together, anything is possible.