Individualized Tutoring
I offer the convenience of individualized tutoring in your home or other location in the Petaluma area. Individualized tutoring allows you to work at your own pace and in the learning style with which you are most comfortable, in order to increase your skills and confidence. We can work together to tailor a program to meet your academic needs and ensure that you succeed.
I love being able to help someone understand material that they have been struggling with, and to see students refine their skills and increase their confidence.
Many students come to me for help in math and I find a variety of approaches can help increase understanding. Some students have missed basic math concepts in the past, leading to difficulty moving forward into new topics. Other students need the math reviewed at their own pace, or in a way that addresses their particular learning style. For some, previewing the math for the upcoming week allows them to feel more comfortable when they face it in class. Finally, many students have no idea how to "study" math. I am able to help develop strategies to study for math tests, and to help students figure out how they learn best.
In addition to math, I often help students in science, history and English. Again, study skills and helping each individual figure out how they learn best is key. Time management skills can help young people become more successful and thoughtful about their learning processes. Sometimes students need help learning to read for a particular purpose, or finding strategies for memorization.
I also work as a writing coach, whether it is writing for school assignments, summer creative writing, or college admissions essays. My approach is to help with pre-writing (research, brainstorming, inspiration, reading models of exemplary writing), then organization of material, thesis development, writing the first draft, editing for content, style and grammar, ending with a final draft. The process of writing is as important as the finished piece. It is a priority for me that writers develop their own style and voice and find topics about which they feel passionate, while also polishing grammar, vocabulary, spelling and other details of editing.
In the area of test preparation, I work with students individually to prepare for ACT, PSAT, SAT, CAASPP, ASVAB and vocational skill assessment tests. An individualized program allows students to address their own individual needs, rather than follow a set review course. One of my particular strengths is teaching test-taking strategies and techniques, in addition to review of the subject matter covered.
My areas of specialty include:
- Mathematics: all levels up through and including Calculus AB and AP Precalculus
- Science: biology, chemistry, environmental science and high school physics
- All levels of the writing process, including AP Language and Literature
- Study skills and organization
- Homework help, remediation and review, and concept attainment
- Other AP support for APUSH, AP Psychology, AP Gov, AP Human Geography
- SAT, CAASPP and other test preparation
- College admissions essay preparation
- Individualized summer review and enrichment or support for summer classes
- Independent study and homeschooling: I support online learning and can help families devise an independent learning plan
In conjunction with subject matter, I work with my students to improve:
- study skills
- organization
- time management and planning
- overall academic function