Jan

Certified Tutor

I love teaching. In particular, I love teaching the writing process. I use a question-based approach to empower students to find greater clarity and organization on their own and to trust that they do not need to look to anyone else for answers. I tutor a range of subjects, but I especially enjoy teaching middle school math and SAT prep. I have a strong grasp of the approaches necessary to succeed in those areas. It is fun to share those approaches with students and watch the AHA! moments unfold.

Why do I teach? Successful learning requires awareness of HOW you think: how you create and organize your own perception. I am fascinated with this meta-thinking, this thinking ABOUT how you think, and I take great joy in helping others gain deeper insight into their own thinking patterns.

I graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Creative Writing, and I currently teach and mentor the critical writing process to undergraduate and master's degree students at Goddard College, including Spanish-speaking ESL students.

This past year, I developed and taught an original curriculum intertwining creative writing, creative movement and theater for a month-long workshop series at Velocity Dance Center, and for the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation. I adapted this curriculum for students in theater and creative writing electives at The Northwest School.

I have also worked as a teaching assistant at Oberlin College. I tutored analytical and creative writing and gave lectures and facilitated discussions on creative writing, visual art, architecture, music, and dance. I have mentored writers through the development of content as an editor for various publications, and I have lots of experience teaching the performing arts to elementary schoolers up through senior adults.

On the side, I am a performer in local dance, theater and film productions, and I enjoy creating my own performance works.