Katerina

Certified Tutor

I am a graduate of Florida Atlantic University (FAU). I received my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a focus on writing and education. As an undergraduate, I took advanced graduate courses, looking to expand and to deepen my knowledge and skills in writing and pedagogy.

When the French avionics company I worked for for about 10 years closed their Miami facility, in 2001, I decided to go back to school, and finish my degree. I was in my English class (Honors Short Story) on September 11, waiting for the class to start, when the television came on to news reports of an attack and we watched in horror coverage of the first tower engulfed in flames, and the second tower collapse.

I remember being anxious about writing my first college essay in some ten years. It was a paper on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." Our instructions were to write a five-paragraph essay, with a minimum 10-sentence paragraphs. I was confused by this instruction, because we didn't learn the 5-paragraph essay in Montreal. I considered submitting a writing sample to see if I was up to the task. Eventually, I decided to take my chances and write the essay the best way I knew how.

I could hardly breathe waiting for the professor to grade and return our papers. Finally, she called us one by one up to her desk, and she handed us our papers. I do not know what she said to the other students, but as she held out my paper, she motion to the desk and said, "You should be on this side of the desk," meaning the teacher side. That's all I needed to hear. I made sure to take every course that would make me the best teacher I could be.

I studied year-round, and in December 2003, I graduated summa cum laude. I went on to take graduate courses in teaching reading, language arts, young adult fiction, pedagogy, and writing. I started teaching high school Language Arts and Reading in 2004-2005.

While I tutor a range of subjects, I love writing. I have had an essay and a memoir published. I am compiling essays for a book series and I post short reflections on my website. I enjoy watching crime/police dramas, mysteries/detective shows, and the occasional vampire series. I also like photography, sewing, and quilting.

Because I was not born in the United States, I missed out on the treasure trove of American children's books, and so I took every opportunity to read them as a student and as a teacher. I relish reading children's books and young adult fiction because I feel they help me to connect to high school students. I use children's books to teach complex topics, because the readability level does not get in the way of seeing the pattern of writing and the stylistic, organizational tropes the author uses.

I believe in meeting people where they are. I use my own experience and self-reflection to better understand the needs of my students; to adapt to their learning style and preferences; to have empathy for their cultural perspective; to appreciate the full range of their personal experience. I look forward to working with you on achieving the goals and aspirations you have for yourself.

So, how may I help you?