Nan
Certified Tutor
Hello!
If you are seeking help with English-related subjects -- reading (comprehension and analysis), writing (expository, creative or essay), literature, public speaking, etc. -- I may be a great match for you.
I recently chose to enter tutoring after a 30-year career of leading communications at some of the country's top consumer products firms, including Kraft and Pepperidge Farm. I have worked with every level of executive and employee to provide top notch writing and editing and create clear, effective communications of all kinds. My co-workers always depended on me to help them turn their toughest communications challenges into great successes -- and I would be happy to do the same for you.
In my spare time, I am an avid reader and particularly love novels and fiction. My favorite American authors include Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck. Some British writers I admire are Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. I also enjoy many contemporary authors including Anne Tyler, John Irving, Annie Proulx and Ann Patchett.
I am a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where I studied Psychology as well as English. I am the proud mom of two 20-something sons and love working with students of ALL ages. I believe excelling in all forms of English should be interesting and fun. So if I can be of assistance to you or your child, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.
Best regards, Nan
Connect with a tutor like Nan
Undergraduate Degree: Mount Holyoke College - Bachelors, Psychology/English
My interests include reading, cooking, hiking, entertaining, and the arts..
- American Literature
- Basic Computer Literacy
- Business
- Business Writing
- College Application Essays
- College English
- College Level American Literature
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- High School Level American Literature
- High School Writing
- Other
- Public Speaking
- Technology and Coding
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe learning should be fun. That doesn't mean it should be easy, but that through guided and sustained effort, a student can feel they meaningfully increased their own set of skills and understanding of the world in a way that gives them pleasure, pride, and strength.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would chat with the student to get to know them a bit, and then determine the best way for us to work together. I would also want to review the material that needs to be covered, as well as the goals of the sessions so we are clear on our objectives.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I help a student become independent by asking a lot of questions, getting them to think through the material, and explore the implications and meaning at a deeper level.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by making the teaching approach as dynamic and engaging as possible, and I would also encourage them to focus on the benefits of getting the work done.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would go slowly, try different approaches, and present the material in a way that is relevant to the student.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would review the material in small "chunks", and keep the dialogue going to ensure that each section is understood before moving on to the next.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I start by getting to know the student personally, what their interests are, what they like and don't like, what areas are most challenging for them, and what learning experiences they have enjoyed in the past. I would also share some information about myself so they know who they are working with, and this permits us to establish trust with each other.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would try to relate the material to something the student is interested in, and present it in different ways to see which approach is most effective.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would ask questions regularly as we go through the material, and, depending on the age of the student, use things like fun quizzes to make sure the student is getting the key points and concepts.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I give lots of positive feedback when they are right, as well as lots of support and patience when they are struggling.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I start by asking how they see their own needs, where they feel comfortable, and where they have trouble. Then I watch and see how they interact with the material as we work together, and I respond accordingly.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I try different approaches and see what seems to work best with the student. Then I focus on the "winning strategies."
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It really depends on the specific nature of the work and the age of the student.