HOMESCHOOLING
Creating sessions in which students feel comfortable to experiment with ideas, consider alternative perspectives, and question out loud is important. Toward that end, I listen carefully to students about their interests, concerns, and goals in order to meet their specific needs.
I also offer guidance to parents about the choosing of curriculum, textbooks and standardized testing as well as answer any educational questions the teaching parent/guardian may have.
Academic Writing and Study Skills
Whether a student needs guidance with literary analysis, history research papers, short story writing, science lab reports, or college admission essays, I design our sessions around the principle that “clear expression is about clear thought.” Fundamental skills of reflection, analysis, inquiry, and evidence are emphasized.
In our conversations, I’ll ask students questions to help clarify meaning and offer concrete suggestions about intention, organization, and revision. At each step, I guide them through the writing process.
Where necessary I’ll address study skill issues, such as organizing big projects into smaller, manageable chunks or applying mapping and diagramming strategies. It’s all about listening to students and finding solutions that meet their specific needs.
College Applications and Essays
I work closely with students as they navigate the uneasy task of composing college admission essays. I take them into the heart of the writing process: including personal reflection questions, brainstorming topics, concept development, editing for organization and clarity, and most importantly giving voice to a student’s aspirations.
The best essays reveal the fundamental principles of good prose — clarity, logic, and candor.
Test Preparation
My approach moves beyond mere test-taking tricks to the core academic reasoning skills that produce self-assured students and higher test scores. No two test prep plans are alike because no two test-takers are alike.
I begin by getting to know my students’ goals, interests, strengths, and shortcomings and then learn what might be keeping them from succeeding--whether it be content, study methods, test-taking anxiety or test strategies. From there, we move on to tackle the test.
> Homeschool National Testing Requirement
> SAT and ACT Critical Reading and Essay Sections
> SAT Subject Test in Literature and History
> Advanced Placement (AP) Test in English, History and Government & Politics
While I usually meet with students in person, remote video conferencing (Skype) is another way to genuinely connect with students, receive real-time feedback, and accomplish goals. These sessions also make use of different editing software programs which allow individuals to share and revise documents electronically.
