Dorthea: Forest Park tutor

Certified Tutor

I'm a Ph.D. candidate in French Studies at UCLA finishing my dissertation about contemporary French literature. My main research specializations are French language and literature. However, I also have a certification in critical theory and conduct research in cultural studies and music history. I have taught first- and second-year French classes at UCLA for four years, and before that, I taught first-year French for 3 years at the University of Kansas.

My tutoring experience goes back to 2002, when I became a tutor for my university's French program. I quickly discovered that I enjoyed tutoring and was able to help struggling students succeed. I have worked as a private self-employed tutor, a tutor for university language department and athletics programs, a contractor for the US State Department, and as a tutor for other private tutoring agencies. In my 15 years of tutoring experience, I have tutored foreign language, ESL, writing, humanities subjects, social sciences, reading, literature, and test taking skills. I have worked with children, teenagers, college students, and adult lifelong learners. Personally, I love working with students of all ages. It is important to me that I help students with different learning styles and interests find the study techniques that work best for them.

My tutoring style is informed by my interests in digital learning resources and holistic pedagogy. In my lessons, I integrate videos, blogs, apps, and interactive online exercises. These media resources help students engage their senses, challenge themselves, and find their own strengths. To help students master complex tasks and subjects, I break concepts and tasks down into smaller, more understandable components and steps. Doing this helps demystify complex assignments and tasks, while allowing students to work at their own pace and master each step before continuing. I ensure that students build a solid foundation of knowledge in their subject of study and acquire problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Additionally, through my highly responsive guidance, I help my students find what motivates them to learn. My students tell me that the combination of improvement to their knowledge and the discovery of their intrinsic motivation makes them feel confident about themselves as learners.

I wanted to become a scholar because I love exploring and deconstructing ideas and finding new ways to look at old problems. My passion for research extends naturally into my teaching and tutoring approach, where I help students find their strengths, develop new critical thinking and study skills, and approach challenging tasks and ideas with confidence. I would love to help you learn and feel confident about your ability to take on new scholarly challenges.