Andrea
Certified Tutor
I am a graduate of James Madison University. I double majored in English Literature and Arabic. In college, I started tutoring students of all ages. I assisted them in various areas of study, including essay and Arabic grammar. After college, I worked at a refugee center with children of immigrants. I helped them to adjust to a new environment, while simultaneously adapting to the public school curriculum. I am also a certified ESL/TESOL teacher and have experience teaching groups of students as well as providing individual lessons.
Working in different environments, with a diverse range of students, encouraged me to explore more creative tutoring methods in order to understand and communicate ideas. Through my experience as a tutor, I developed a multifaceted approach to teaching and learning; a style that is adaptable and uniquely catered to each individual personality. I have found that humor and games are particularly effective in motivating students to achieve in subjects they may otherwise find dull or abstract.
While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about languages and literature. I have spent much of my life traveling abroad and have a deep affinity for culture. Some of my hobbies are painting and drawing and playing music; I also love dancing and hiking.
Connect with a tutor like Andrea
Undergraduate Degree: James Madison University - Bachelors, Arabic and English Literature
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1370
Painting, SCUBA diving, camping and hiking, , traveling, playing music, astronomy, photography
- 10th Grade
- 10th Grade Math
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 12th Grade
- 12th Grade Reading
- 12th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade
- 1st Grade Math
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- 2nd Grade
- 2nd Grade Math
- 2nd Grade Reading
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 3rd Grade
- 3rd Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Reading
- 3rd Grade Science
- 3rd Grade Writing
- 4th Grade
- 4th Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Science
- 4th Grade Writing
- 5th Grade
- 5th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Writing
- 6th Grade Reading
- 6th Grade Writing
- 7th Grade
- 7th Grade Reading
- 7th Grade Writing
- 8th Grade
- 8th Grade Reading
- 8th Grade Writing
- 9th Grade
- 9th Grade Reading
- 9th Grade Writing
- ACCUPLACER ESL
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Listening
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Reading Skills
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Sentence Meaning
- ACCUPLACER Language Use
- ACCUPLACER WritePlacer
- ACT Reading
- ACT Writing
- Adult ESL/ELL
- Adult Literacy
- Advanced Placement Prep
- Algebra
- American Literature
- Anthropology
- AP
- AP Studio Art
- AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
- AP Studio Art: Drawing
- Arabic
- Art
- Art History
- Astronomy
- Audition Prep
- British Literature
- Business
- Civics
- Classics
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP American Literature
- CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
- CLEP College Composition
- CLEP English Literature
- CLEP Introductory Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- College Application Essays
- College English
- College Level American History
- College Level American Literature
- College World History
- Comparative Literature
- Composition
- Computational Problem Solving
- Creative Writing
- MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Drawing
- Earth Science
- Economics
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- Environmental Science
- ESL/ELL
- Ethics
- European History
- Expository Writing
- Fiction Writing
- French 1
- GED Prep
- GED Reasoning Through Language Arts
- GED Social Studies
- Geometry
- Government
- Graduate Test Prep
- Graphic Design
- GRE Analytical Writing
- GRE Subject Test in Literature in English
- GRE Subject Tests
- GRE Verbal
- Handwriting
- High School
- High School Economics
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- High School Level American Literature
- High School World History
- High School Writing
- History
- Honors
- IB Dance
- IB Dance HL
- IB Extended Essay
- IB Music
- IB Music HL
- IB Visual Arts
- Introduction to Fiction
- Journalism
- K-11th Grade Standardized Tests Prep
- Languages
- Linguistics
- Literature
- LSAT Argumentative Writing
- Math
- Medieval Literature
- Middle School
- Middle School English
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Painting
- Persuasive Writing
- Philosophical Ethics
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Poetry
- Poetry
- Poetry Writing
- PRAXIS
- Pre-Algebra
- Printmaking
- PSAT Writing Skills
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
- Reading
- SAT Reading
- SAT Subject Test in Latin
- SAT Subject Test in Literature
- SAT Verbal
- SAT Writing and Language
- Shakespeare
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish 1
- Spelling Bee
- Summer
- Technology and Coding
- Test Prep
- TOEFL Prep
- US History
- Vocabulary
- World Civilization
- World History
- World Literature
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that there are many ways to learn and understand a subject, and that every student learns differently. As a tutor, my goal is to help each of my students to understand their learning style and feel confident in their approach to any subject they encounter, and to achieve academically.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session with a student, I would like to briefly go over some of the material they have been learning recently. Then, I would talk to them about some of the methods they have been using to try and learn so we can start to figure out how they learn best.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help students to discover things that are interesting to them in the material they are already learning. The key to becoming an independent learner is to actually enjoy learning.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help them find an interest in the subject they are studying. Staying motivated comes naturally when you can find an interest in what you are studying. I always encourage students to think outside the box, too. There is such a huge difference between looking at something as an assignment, and looking at something as a simple summary of a chapter in a history book you just read.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would try to find a way to link the skill or concept to something that the student already understands or enjoys.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I like to get the students to read their assignments by themselves and then summarize what they got out of the reading. I also encourage them to circle any areas that they had problems understanding. I will then go over their summary with them so I can see exactly what parts they are struggling with. I then go through the parts that they didn't understand.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The most successful strategy is to learn how the student understands material the best so you can help them in a way that they can learn efficiently.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help them to connect that subject to something that they are already excited about or interested in.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would definitely use the techniques that the student responds to the best. Whether that be memorization techniques, note taking techniques, visual learning, or just a different way of explaining the material.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Working on that subject hard, being sure to point out how much they have progressed every session.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Based on their classroom performance, their interest in the class, their individual performance, and their motivation.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I am always willing to adapt and improve my methods and will do whatever I can to meet my student's needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Notebooks, textbooks, other texts, diagrams, and some online resources.