Karen
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Smith College - Bachelor in Arts, English
Graduate Degree: University of Massachusetts Amherst - PHD, English
Reading about the history of London, appreciating dogs in all their forms, and rediscovering the beauty and history of New England!
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
College Application Essays
College English
Comparative Literature
High School English
IB Language A: Language and Literature
IB Language B
Other
Technical Writing
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Show them what is fascinating about their subjects.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Keep the lessons personal and well-paced. I can be flexible but firm about outside interruptions. Our time together is important.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Take it down to the bare bones and rebuild a student's understanding of it bit by bit. Then, I'd give an easy quiz, and discuss the answers. Then, I'd give a medium-hard quiz, and discuss, and so on.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Read to them so that they hear the voice of the writer and gain insight into the essential meaning of the text. If there is particular difficulty with symbols, we talk about foreshadowing, cultural concerns, and the style of the writing.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Getting to know the student's fears, tastes, and sense of humor.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Show them the practical value of the lesson and the juicy stuff they can do once they get it.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Strategic quizzing. Games.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Scaffolded assignments with the lessons so that they can succeed even at a beginner's level.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I study the writing output as we go along.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I study the student's sense of humor, tastes, and pace of learning. I accommodate them.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Readings, personally-created materials.
What is your teaching philosophy?
The core of my practice is to listen very closely to the student. I think if a person senses they are heard, then it is easier for them to settle into the hard work of learning.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Ask about school, the highs and lows, and his or her goals.