
Emma: Irvine tutor
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Connecticut - Bachelors, Economics
SAT Writing: 720
I love anything i can do outdoors; Hiking, camping, running, and biking. I'm also a huge book-lover so if I can curl up with a good book, I'm happy.
American Literature
College English
College Level American Literature
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Writing
High School English
High School Level American Literature
High School Writing
Middle School Reading
Middle School Reading Comprehension
Middle School Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I think it's really important to teach students skills that they can apply to every assignment, not just the one they're working on now. My hope is that my students and I can sit down together, figure out where they need the most help, and then design a set of tools that they can use for the rest of your life. If their problem is grammar, I won't just rattle off a list of rules; I'll put together fun and engaging ways for them to learn. If they struggle with vocabulary, I won't hand them a stack of index cards; we will think of devices that will make them easier to remember and that you can use for new words that you encounter along the way. The goal is to teach students how to learn, not how to pass.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
A first session will start off by getting to know each other. I want my students to know that they can ask me any question they want and to never feel dumb for being curious. I also want to gauge where my students are strongest, and where they struggle. Then, we can really dive deep into the most challenging aspects of their work.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I think the key to keeping students motivated is to make sure that they feel confident. If a student believes that they are just "not an English person," then they will never feel equipped to tackle a challenging assignment. But, if I can make a student feel like they are capable, but they just can't do it yet, then we can break that mental barrier.