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A photo of Theresa, a tutor from Penn State University

Theresa

Certified Tutor

Let's get writing!! Nothing is more frustrating than having difficulty putting your thoughts and ideas onto paper. I work extensively with students to help them get started with essays, assist with revising and proofreading, and of course, help in correctly formatting papers (APA, MLA, etc.) I attended Penn State University for my Bachelor of Arts in Communications. I then moved on to California University of Pennsylvania for my Masters in the Arts of Teaching Communication and English. I have taught both middle school and high school, and I currently teach for two colleges in their English and Communication departments. I focus on the importance of reading, interpreting, writing, and speaking in my classes. We cover everything from basic grammar, to how to properly outline, to successfully creating an essay. My goal is to work with you and help you feel comfortable and confident in your work. I also teach speech and help students work through their anxiety of speaking in front of others to deliver a well thought out speech. It can be difficult to stand in front of classmates or teachers for a presentation. Preparation and practice is key, and I help students with doing just that.
Whether you are looking for assistance with reading, writing, or speaking, I am confident that I have the knowledge and techniques to help you be successful!

Connect with a tutor like Theresa

Theresa’s Qualifications
Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: Penn State University - Bachelors, Communications

Graduate Degree: California University of Pennsylvania - Masters, Education

Hobbies

running, working out, and spending time with family,

Tutoring Subjects
10th Grade Reading
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Writing
12th Grade Reading
12th Grade Writing
7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Writing
8th Grade Reading
8th Grade Writing
9th Grade Reading
9th Grade Writing
Adult Literacy
College English
College Essays
English
Essay Editing
High School English
High School Writing
Middle School Reading
Middle School Writing
Other
Public Speaking
Reading
Summer
Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

I like to get to know my students to see what they feel are their strengths and weaknesses. I like to set objectives for our session so the student knows exactly what to expect and how they will benefit from our time together. At the end of the session, I would want to ensure the student's questions were answered and see if they would like anything to change the next time we meet. Again, I want to make sure students feel comfortable and confident in the material we cover.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

It takes practice to become an independent learner. You have to constantly work on techniques to master this. I will help guide students in the beginning, and I will teach them techniques to help them become independent learners.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

Positive reinforcement helps students to stay motivated. Also, relating what they are doing to something in their everyday lives also helps in making an assignment make more sense. This can help a student to get excited about an assignment and thus stay motivated.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

If a student is having difficulty with a skill or concept, I would ask what about it they were having trouble understanding. I would then break it down and really start from the beginning. I would also find a way to relate it to something they are familiar with, which usually helps make sense out of something that seemed confusing at first.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Reading comprehension is something I have found even my college students struggle with at times. I first ask how students were taught to read an essay. I introduce the SQ3R method - Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. This method helps them break down how they should begin to read an essay or article. Too many students attempt to read something once and think this is enough. Students must slow down when they read, read a piece several times, and create marginal notes while reading. There is a lot to help students with reading comprehension. It is something that must be practiced.

How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

Relating a subject to something in the student's life, or potentially their future career, is typically how to get students engaged in what they are learning. They need to see why it is relevant. If you make it relevant to them, chances are they will become engaged and more willing to learn.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Questioning the student frequently is one way to make sure they understand the material. It is easy for anyone to say "I understand," but they have to show you they understand. Sometimes that is through practice/demonstrating their knowledge, and other times it is through questioning and asking the student to recall what they learned.

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Students focus on the negative far too much. They simply can't use the word 'can't' because that word itself can drop their confidence. We focus on what they do know and what they can do, and we build from there which ultimately helps boost their confidence.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

I review their work, I talk to them about the material they are working on, and I ask questions to decipher exactly what they need.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

Each student is different. I have various techniques that I use depending on what the student's learning style is and what he/she needs. I get to know the student's learning style first, and I then decide how best to meet his/her needs. As a teacher, I constantly have to adapt my teaching methods to meet the needs of my students.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

It all depends on the subject/material that the student needs help with. I have various handouts, essays, and other materials that I have created to assist students.