Karen
Certified Tutor
My paternal genes determined I would have a great sense of humor while my maternal genes gave me an appreciation of being earnest. I believe these balance out well and help me to identify with students by reaching them through humor, with an understanding that we must press on while working hard. I have often used humor and earnestness to bring students to an understanding of the material they are working on. It is important to me that the students I tutor and teach have an understanding that I care about them and their future; therefore, I do all I can to help them develop their academic skill set.
I spent a few years teaching English to high school students at all levels after I graduated from the University of Wisconsin system. I have experience teaching World and American Literature, Film as Literature, Creative Writing, Journalism and Poetry as well as survey classes. I left the classroom and have been a homeschooling mom for six years. In the home school setting, I have co-directed a co-op while also teaching writing and literature. In the past year, I have developed and taught essay writing to students grades 6 and up. I have also tutored students privately in both essay and creative writing. A student recently said, "Miss Karen, thank you for your writing class! I did great on my SAT essay!"
Additionally, I hold a Master of Arts in Religion from the top apologetic-based seminary in the nation. I enjoy helping students understand various worldviews and how they impact our lives, culture and world.
I look forward to working with your child and helping him or her develop a love of writing and literature.
Connect with a tutor like Karen
Undergraduate Degree: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point - Bachelors, English with Secondary Certification
Graduate Degree: Southern Evangelical Seminary - Masters, Religion
Reading, writing, baking, watching Food Network,and hanging out with my family.
- College English
- Comparative Literature
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Literature
- Other
- Public Speaking
- Reading
- Social Studies
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- World Religions
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Although this quote is often attributed to Albert Einstein, there is no certainty that he was the first to say it. Regardless, this is my approach to teaching. As an educator, I must learn the best way to reach a student so that he or she may develop the deepest understand of the subject possible. An effective tutor will have various tools in her toolbox to guide a student to an understanding of the subject at hand. Whether this is leading questions, using examples, or going back to the basics, it is the tutor's job to aid the student in the best understanding of the material.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first solution to any problem or misunderstanding is asking the question, "How can I help you understand this?" Once I establish a dialogue, the student and I can better reach success.