Julie
Certified Tutor
I have a BA History and one in English from Sonoma State University as well as an MA Early Modern European History from University of Colorado at Boulder. I am working on my MAT at the University of Portland.
I have spent the past five years working as a tutor in several subjects, but with an emphasis in academic writing. I spent three of those years at Sonoma State University's Writing Center tutoring students in remedial English courses, ELL students, and a writing in a variety of subjects for both graduate and undergraduate students. I also spent the last three years working as a teaching assistant in the History department at the University of Colorado at Boulder where I graded and assisted students in classes ranging from early western civilization to the Russian Revolution and Early US History. I also tutored student athletes for the university's Athletic department in subjects such as sociology, ethnic studies, various history classes, creative writing, English, and beginning theater.
I tutor a range of history classes with special emphasis on world and European classes. I also tutor English, ELL, and Literature, and writing. As well as SAT verbal and writing.
My favorite subject to tutor is writing. I believe that becoming a strong writing will lead to success in almost every other discipline.
When it comes to tutoring students I believe in helping them focus on the big picture first. once a student understands what they are working towards it is an easier matter to help them work on the more detailed mechanics of their subject. Example: When tutoring writing, if a student brings me a paper to work on that has both grammatical and mechanical issues as well as structural and content issues, I first focus on the content and structure, before moving on to mechanical issues.
Outside of academia I have a pretty wide range of interests and hobbies. I especially love to bake. It doesn't matter what it is bread, cake, pastries; I love them all! I also enjoy hiking in the many beautiful state parks. And perhaps one of my favorite activities is curling up with my animals to read a book.
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Undergraduate Degree: Sonoma State University - Bachelor in Arts, History and English
Graduate Degree: University of Colorado Boulder - Master of Arts, History
Baking, hiking, reading
- AP European History
- College English
- College Essays
- College Level American History
- Comparative Literature
- English
- ESL/ELL
- Essay Editing
- European History
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- History
- Literature
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
All students have an amazing capacity to learn if given the right opportunity.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
My goal in a first session is to get to know the student and their academic needs. I tend to ask them about what they enjoy doing and how they feel about school and the subject they are being tutored in.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By encouraging students to think critically and take pride in their work.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By encouraging them to keep working at the subject. The more a student practices the learning strategies inherent in a subject, the better their chance of really mastering the material.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would approach the subject or skill from a variety of different angles and learning styles until we find an approach that helps the student grasp the material.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
By teaching them strategies for remembering and organizing what they are reading.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Listening to them. Most of the time students already know what they need to be successful, they just need someone to take the time to present the material to them in a manner that resonates.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would talk with them about their interests and hobbies, and find ways to connect the subject with what they are passionate about.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would first ask them if they had questions. If they said no, I would then give them a similar problem to work through to ensure they grasped the topic.