Marissa: Vancouver tutor

Certified Tutor

I am an experienced tutor, editor, and manuscript reader with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Washington. In addition to my writing and literature background, I also have experience as a public speaking coach. I currently work for an online educational resource as a staff writer, creating lesson plans, study guides, quizzes, and worksheets designed for the K-12 language arts and literature curriculum and college writing courses. Education is my passion, and I enjoy helping students from all academic backgrounds develop as critical thinkers and writers. I believe that learning should be fun, engaging, and collaborative, and I work with students to develop an educational plan that works for them.
While at UW, I tutored at the campus interdisciplinary writing center, helping students develop and refine academic papers, admissions essays, lab reports, dissertations, and personal creative projects. I worked with students at all stages of the writing process, from prewriting to final editing and refinement. In addition to working with students on individual projects, I also help students develop tools and strategies that they can apply to future assignments. I visualize writing skills as tools in a toolbox, and I believe that the best way to succeed as a writer is to have a variety of tools at your disposal.
Outside of the more technical elements of reading, writing, and speaking, I also believe in helping students develop a positive relationship with education. Rather than just helping students absorb the material, I also strive to help them engage with the concepts. It can be difficult for students to connect classroom materials to their personal interests, resulting in frustration and a decline in motivation. However, I hope that by helping students make meaningful connections to the material, they not only find success in class, but also a passion for learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.