Award-Winning High School English Tutors serving Berkeley, CA

...engaged, I had to get creative. We would practice reading comprehension using the sports section of the newspaper, and did short creative writing exercises. I learned a lot about how to get students excited about subjects that at first seem intimidating or frustrating, how to think on my feet, and how to connect with and engage students from different backgrounds than my own. In my free time, I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction novels,...

...schooling, I worked with and mentored high school students through a program with the university and their cancer center, to promote higher learning in disadvantaged and underrepresented minority students. This ultimately will increase the number of minorities in biomedical research. Working with students and empowering their minds is uplifting because it is wonderful to be able to promote a fun environment while encouraging the students to stay focused in their education. I am currently tutoring...

...and non-profit academic support and enrichment programs. Over the years I've taught just about every subject. I love helping students develop a positive, can-do attitude in relation to subjects that used to make them feel anxious and confused. (In my experience this is often math or standardized tests, but I also love to tutor writing and general study skills.) In my spare time I enjoy playing soccer, video games, and always learning something new!

...in standardized tests, so I would love to pass on my tips and tricks for those preparing for the SAT and ACT. Of note, something in particular that attracts me to tutoring is that by working one-on-one with a student, I am able to cater my teaching style towards his or her learning style, ultimately allowing the student to better learn the material. Beyond the academics, in my spare time, I enjoy playing tennis and...

...and eventually full time at an English Language school. Upon finishing my Master's, I decided to stay in Japan and pursue my career there and found my first job at Japan's largest advertising agency Dentsu. About a year later, I was later recruited to join Dentsu's sister company The Goal which is a fashion advertising agency. I spent about 10 years living in Japan before returning back to the United States. I have an excellent...

...and ACT Reading. I also continue my private tutoring practice and, of course, tutor for Varsity Tutors. I enjoy working with and connecting to my students. My style of tutoring is professional, but still informal and engaging; I want the student to look forward to the sessions we have together. I encourage my students to think of me as a resource, a guide, and a cheerleader. I want them to succeed!

...instructor for college-level rhetoric and composition classes, as well as university-level senior thesis and literature seminars. I also work with everyone from ESL students to students with multiple languages to elementary-aged students just learning to read and write for the first time. And although it may sound silly, I get really excited about reading, writing, researching, and editing, and even more so, I look forward to working with students! I'm available to help, instruct, and...

...total of over 400 students in that time period. I like to create a relaxed and comfortable environment for those that I tutor. Communication is key and I believe it is important to be able to explain topics in a variety of ways to be sure that students of all different learning styles and backgrounds can understand and digest the information fully. I am very friendly, enthusiastic, compassionate, and patient. I truly love to learn...

...tutor! I find that the one-on-one environment of tutoring is truly special because of the tutor-student relationship that can develop over time, and the learning and growth that can happen in such a setting. I love interacting with my students and helping them directly, and I love seeing students meet their learning goals. When I'm not teaching or tutoring, I enjoy singing karaoke, hiking, traveling, photography, and learning languages (currently working on Spanish!)... I believe students...

...complicated concepts. Preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT and GRE is much easier with a tutor to help you prioritize, strategize, and structure your time wisely. I took the GRE in 2013 and earned the top score in Critical Reading, so the latest version is fresh in my mind. I am glad to share the study strategies that worked for me, including tips on writing essays under pressure. If you suffer from test...

...6 years, I can honestly say that I love languages! I learned German fin Germany when I was on the year-long Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program in high school. I went to Germany knowing only a few words, so I definitely know language learning frustrations first-hand. I kept working at it, studied abroad again at the University of Bonn, and earned my Bachelor's degree in German! I was able to apply these skills as an educator...

...from Southern California. I wrote my senior thesis in English on magic and politics in the medieval Welsh "The Four Branches of the Mabinogi." Aside from reading medieval literature (and other non-medieval books), I love to ride horses, eat good food, and hike with my dog, Beau. I am also involved in theatre, and am currently working with a Shakespeare company in the Portland area. Due to rehearsals, my availability for evening tutoring varies week...

...and theses. I enjoy tutoring any subject that involves writing, and I have found great satisfaction in helping students organize their thoughts and learn to express themselves clearly and confidently. Many people are nervous and uncertain when tackling a written project, and it is always gratifying when they overcome this block and discover how surprisingly eloquent and articulate they can become. When I am not writing or reading, I like hiking through old-growth redwood groves...

...T.A. at Yale College, Santa Barbara City College, and Education Française Bay Area, and teaching study skills and ACT preparation courses at College Track Oakland. Independently, I have tutored English skills and French for elementary and high school students. I am proud to say that I had strong success in teaching French to a high school student with learning differences, using a completely oral and visual approach. In addition to my teaching experience and my...

...focused my efforts on the practical applications of what they were learning to make the subject matter more interesting. Tutoring students also opened up a part of me that truly enjoys helping others. I have volunteered as an after school mentor to teach inner city students about math and science and in the Peace Corps in Panama as a water/sanitation engineer. In my free time, I love to listen to NPR, ride my bike, and...

...I am comfortable working with a variety of students and their learning styles. In a one-on-one setting I can support the student’s current English curriculum-with reading comprehension (how to engage with a text critically and analytically), organization, grammar and the writing process. Starting with brainstorming ideas, to actually writing words on paper, to the structure of their ideas and how to edit, I instruct students through the writing process without being their editor (the person...

...in all subject areas but focused in math and literacy. I also worked as a substitute teacher in the Buffalo area providing quality instruction in a variety of disciplines as needed. I plan to continue substitute teaching in the 2015-2016 school year in the San Francisco Bay Area. While my teaching certification is in instrumental music, my primary interest in tutoring is high school core subjects like math and English. I believe these fundamental subjects...

...and Theater double-major at Stanford University in Northern California, Milan is very excited to be a part of the Varsity Tutors team. His main academic interests are English, philosophy, math, and computer science, but Milan enjoys many other subjects (psychology, physics, and economics to name a few). He is fluent in Spanish and an active member of the Latino community. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and taking the occasional photograph.

...pieces and make sure they are understanding each step as they go along. If students still seem to be struggling, I return to more basic concepts and help them build upon what they already know. I use a variety of methods in my tutoring including visual aids, hands-on materials, books, and online sources to ensure that all students' learning styles are compatible with my lesson plans. Building a connection with my students is extremely important...

...essays and homework. Whether the student is just getting started with brainstorming and idea development or putting the final touches on a paper and in need of help revising and editing, I am here to assist and encourage in any way possible. I believe in developing a student's skills over a period of time, rather than simply providing the short term answers simply to achieve an immediate grade. Writing is a skill we develop over...