Patrick: Lyons tutor

Certified Tutor

Education:
University of Missouri-Columbia (1972)/ Master of Business Administration
University of Missouri-Columbia (1970)/Bachelor of Journalism
University of Missouri- Kansas City (1991/Professional Certification- Direct Marketing

Teaching Experience
Fontbonne University (1995-2009)
Maryville University (1982-2005)

Adjunct Instructor at both institutions. Taught Business Administration and Marketing classes with traditional college students featuring class sizes ranging from three to forty students. Courses ranged the gamut from freshman to masters (MBA) level. I was allowed to teach at the graduate level without a doctorate degree due to my extensive industry experience.
All my classes required the instructor to maintain regularly scheduled office hours for individualized support as needed. As such, this time was the equivalent of one-on-one tutoring. Activities accomplished during these sessions included review and discussion of case studies, study guides for exams, and semester-long team projects.

The teaching style deployed during these classes depended on the course level. At the freshman level, lectures were used to convey a large volume of information, followed by small group discussions, and, ultimately, multiple format questions on mid-term and final exams. At progressively higher levels, students were expected to read the course information on their own and be prepared to address specific concepts in a Q & A format. Most classes included a semester-long group project in addition to individual written case studies. A final comprehensive exam was usually conducted for each class. A study guide was always provided to ensure students focused on the core concepts discussed in class. At the graduate level several courses focused on key subject matters gleaned from anthologies (vs. textbooks). Students were expected to read and be prepared to discuss the assigned reading. A semester-long individual or group project substituted for a final exam at some of the higher- level classes.

My tutoring interests focus on my subject matter expertise as follows:
Short story and novel writing. Help with brainstorming subject matter, using 'what if' technique versus outlining, developing characters so they are more than one-dimensional names on paper, plotting the story arc which will include problem identified, problem resolved formatting, writing a first draft from the middle and working forwards and backwards, and finally editing with proper grammar and spelling. A final touch will include proper formatting, depending on the ultimate destination for the story. A first draft is only that. There will be additional drafts to improve the original work.

My interest in writing fiction stems from my undergraduate days as a News-Editorial major at the School of Journalism. I've published two books and will be blogging a third one on my website: (www.sportsblog/thebenchwarmer tm)
My personal time is devoted, among family considerations, to studying major league baseball, including a firm grasp on historical and contemporary subject matters, including the economics of the sport, player performance on a daily basis, and new- vs old- school sabermetrics. In a perfect world I would own a minor league team with a major-league affiliation.

Other tutoring interests include web/blog start-ups, from domain selection though content management and small business start-ups, from mind-mapping business opportunities to forming an LLC. I've gone through the above processes and learned- including making financial mistakes, what are efficient ways to get a website up and running (often within an hour), and what it takes to get a business started and sustainable.

Business Experience
Bi-State Development Agency (Metro), St. Louis, MO 1998-2009. Vice President Marketing & Customer Service.
St. Louis Rams, St. Louis, MO 1995-1997. Director of Merchandising.
U.S. Olympic Festival, St. Louis, MO 1992-1994. Director of Merchandising.
Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Promotional Products Division, St. Louis, MO 1978-1991. Consumer Marketing Manager.
Royal Crown Cola Co., Columbus, GA 1975-1977. Packaging Manager.
The Seven-Up Co., St. Louis, MO 1972-1974. Packaging Coordinator.

Career included steady increase in authority and responsibilities within the discipline of marketing. My last position, as Vice President, afforded me the opportunity to reposition a 'commodity' type service (Bi-State Transit) to a consumer brand ('Metro'), with new vehicle graphics, wayfinding signage, web services, route alterations, targeting of large volume employers for long-term pass programs, and most importantly, challenging the entire organization to become customer- centric vs operations-centric.