Joshua

Certified Tutor

As a passionate educator with a doctorate in literature, I have 19 years of experience teaching and tutoring high school, college, and graduate students. My specialty areas include literature, philosophy, English grammar, and essay writing. I have 18 years of experience being an English professor at three different universities. I also have written 13 articles that have appeared in peer-reviewed literary journals.

I also offer tutoring in standardized testing. I consistently score in the 99th percentile in timed Law School Admissions tests, and I scored a perfect 800 in the verbal portion of the Graduate Record Exam. I can also offer strong support for the verbal portion of the SAT.

Finally, I enjoy playing and tutoring in board games. I am in the upper 64th percentile for American registered tournament chess players, and I can offer guidance for beginners and intermediates. I am also a strong backgammon player, having won money in the latter game at multiple tournaments and consistently scoring low error rates as measured by computer analysis.

One of the most crucial qualities in any tutor is an ability to adapt to the unique needs and temperament of each individual student. It is also necessary to see the student holistically, to be sensitive to the emotional side as well as the intellectual. The student must feel safe, which means being genuinely respected and heard by the tutor. In sum, a good tutor should embody humor, humanity, and humility.

In terms of technique, I employ the Socratic method, which entails asking questions to find the student's current level and then gently guiding them along from that point. I would love to get to know you and help you to advance toward your goals.