Katherine
Certified Tutor
Tutoring is my passion. Working one-on-one with students gives them the focus they need to grasp difficult concepts. I appreciate that each student is unique with a specific learning style. Therefore, I tailor my sessions to fit the student's needs. I am very patient, encouraging, and reliable.
With over 20 years of tutoring experience, I have consistently helped students raise their grade level and improve their mastery of the subject matter. As a results-oriented tutor, I am reliable and professional. I am organized and arrive at every tutoring session prepared. For each student I tailor my teaching style to match their learning skills. I maintain good communication with the parents of my students and with their teachers when I have been asked to contact their teachers. My passion is education, and I enjoy conveying this enthusiasm to my students in the following areas: Art History and AP Art History; American, World, and European History and AP levels; English, World, and American Literature; English Language Arts; Theology; Government; Social Studies; and French I, II, III, IV and AP level French as well as French conversation and trip planning.
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Undergraduate Degree: College of William and Mary - Bachelors, Art History
Graduate Degree: The University of Texas at Austin - Masters, Art History
Tennis, movies, board games, planning overseas travel for family and friends, needle point
- American Literature
- AP French Language and Culture
- AP US History
- Art
- Art History
- British Literature
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP American Literature
- CLEP English Literature
- CLEP French
- CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
- CLEP Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
- College English
- College Level American Literature
- College World History
- Conversational French
- English
- French
- French 1
- French 2
- French 3
- High School English
- High School Level American Literature
- High School World History
- IB Visual Arts
- Introduction to Fiction
- Languages
- Latin America History
- Literature
- Middle School Social Studies
- Poetry
- Poetry
- Social Studies
- Test Prep
- Visual Arts
- World Civilization
- World History
- World Literature
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I continually encourage the student by praising their efforts and demonstrating their progress thus far.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that it is vital to listen closely to a student's questions and pay attention to their needs throughout the season. In addition to listening to the student, I believe it is important to keep them engaged and motivated.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I find out what the student would like to achieve through our tutoring sessions. I typically review the student's homework assignments, tests, and quizzes. I put the student at ease by my relaxed, calm demeanor.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I provide the student with the tools they need to become an independent learner by demonstrating note-taking skills and strategic learning techniques.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I present the material in a new manner being as creative as possible. In order to keep the student encouraged, I communicate the fact that the concept is complex but not too difficult to master.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I tutor French, so reading comprehension involves mastery of vocabulary, as well as the ability to understand certain words through their context. I encourage the student to read as much as possible in order to improve their comprehension of French. I provide them with texts that are interesting, as well as websites and videos.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
It is vital to put the student at ease, since the tutoring experience may be unfamiliar and intimidating at first. I ask the student to communicate their needs and expectations, so I can tailor our sessions appropriately.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would show the student different websites that are entertaining yet informative. I have found that there are a number of French videos that are especially helpful to my students. I also encourage my students to listen to French on the radio, watch French movies, and read French magazines or French blogs.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I ask the student to "teach" me the concept we have just worked on.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I am a tireless cheerleader when it comes to building my student's confidence. I start with praising his/her progress, no matter how small. I offer positive reinforcement throughout each lesson.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Firstly, I listen to the student and his/her parents. Next, I take a look at their homework, quizzes, tests, and notes to evaluate their needs. If appropriate, and with permission, I contact the teacher to get their perspective on the student's needs.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I pay close attention to the student's questions and take my time to answer them thoroughly. I observe the student from our first session to determine their learning style, and adapt my teaching accordingly.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, Quizlet and videos to keep the student engaged and learning.