DC: Santa Monica tutor

Certified Tutor

As a tutor, I love watching my students develop self-confidence and subject knowledge. Sometimes all it takes is a little help. Whether you are a high schooler trying to write that perfect college admission essay, an elementary school student who is struggling with vocabulary, or an older adult learning English for the first time, I am here to help you. I have worked with students of all ages and I will be a patient and resourceful companion on your journey to academic success. When tailoring lesson plans, I take into account your age, personality, strengths and interests. And I always like to throw in a little fun and humor. Learning should be enjoyable, not a chore!

I double majored in English and Art at the University of Iowa and have also trained as a copy editor and proofreader at a division of Houghton Mifflin Publishers. For many years I have worked as a freelance editor, proofreader, and transcriber. Details are my specialty. For three years I worked as a kindergarten teacher's assistant in an American public elementary school while also volunteering as a children's art teacher and mentor. These experiences taught me much about children's varied learning styles and the unique challenges involved in learning literacy. As a certified ESL teacher in a private school in Ha Noi, Vietnam, I devised original lesson plans, engaging my younger students with games that incorporated physical movement and organizing more socially interactive small group lessons for older students.

I will take time in our introductory session to get to know you. It's important to know not only which subject areas need improvement, but who you are. What is your attitude toward learning, what do you enjoy, which learning style works best for you? This will help me tailor my approach to working with you.

Finally, I am a lifelong learner myself. I am curious about nearly everything in the world and always ready to add to my knowledge and skill set.