Award-Winning Tutors from Illinois State University

When I was in high school, I remember seeing the joy of my math teachers when they would teach in class. This inspired me to become a high school math teacher. The first step was becoming a peer tutor to my classmates. This lead to tutoring math to college students. Then tutoring students while working as a TA. Then I worked as a data scientist which not only did I understand more how to apply math in the workspace, but also learned how to explain math concepts to coworkers without a strong math background. This helped me to shape my tutoring philosophy to relate to the person being tutored and this opened the door to me teaching high school calculus 1 & calculus 2!

I have a Bachelor's in French and Theatre and a Master's degree in French, both from Illinois State university. I held a teaching assistantship during my Master's studies for which I taught a French class at the university. During the summers I worked in the French language-immersion camp. While in college I did a study abroad program in France and after finishing my Master's I lived and worked in France for a year teaching English in schools. The majority of my experience has been teaching languages, and although I can teach other subjects, languages and culture are what I truly have a passion for.Through my various experiences, I have taught languages to students ages 4-18 and above, have taught in a classic classroom environment with all the latest technological aides, and taught outdoors through activities, games, and music.I believe that each student is unique and has their own learning style, which is why it can be tough for many students to thrive solely through learning in a typical classroom environment. Tutoring offers a more focused, individualized atmosphere which enables the tutor to tailor the lessons to the student for them to have an optimal learning experience. I have found that the best results happen when language, or any subject for that matter, is taught through a variety of different activities that are interactive and engaging.Outside of teaching and learning languages, my interests and hobbies include theatre, music/singing, reading, watching TV and movies, travel, fashion, and spending time with my friends and family. I also enjoy challenges and new experiences.

I received bachelors degrees in Special Education Learning/Behavior Disorders and Special Education Low Vision/Blindness from Illinois State University in May 2019. Upon graduation I worked as a teacher for 2 years in a self contained vision classroom where I taught all academic areas as well as vision. Presently I am working towards a masters degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.My favorite academic areas to teach were math and language.

I am a certified teacher, counselor, and adjunct professor. I am certified in Social Studies, ESL, Science, Elementary Education, Counseling, and Music! I also have an LPC and NCC in counseling and am certified as an administrator. I believe all students can learn and succeed!

Hi, I'm Faithe (pronounced Faith), and I've been writing pretty much my whole life. I have a Masters degree in English Rhetoric and Composition, and while I was in graduate school at Purdue I taught freshman writing classes and business writing. After I finished school, I started in on a 40 year career as a book editor and technical writer, and I wrote over 160 books about computer programs, including lots of "For Dummies" books. Look me up on Amazon! I've also written many online technology courses and certification guides. As you might guess, technical writing is my specialty and passion, and I especially love working with students learning that craft. My other area of expertise is Microsoft Office applications. I've written dozens of how-to books over the years about Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access, and I'd be glad to help you with the thorniest of issues with these applications.

Hi, I'm Ms. Stewart! I am a math student at Illinois State University. I am able to help with pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calc, AP statistics, and AP calculus. I love working one on one with students to adjust my teaching style to however you best learn. I'm happy to answer any questions :)

I graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and an ESL endorsement in 2020. Since then, I have taught one year of fourth grade, and I am on my 3rd year of teaching 2nd grade. Therefore, I would love to tutor elementary school students. I can tutor a range of subjects including math, reading, and writing. These are my strongest subjects to tutor because I have a lot of experience inside the classroom working with students in small groups or one-on-one sessions. I have also used many different curriculums so I can be flexible and use whatever material works best for your student to succeed. I am passionate about education, and it shows in my tutoring. Making education fun and demonstrating how important it is for children is something I strive to do with every session. One thing about me is that I love to travel. I studied abroad in Italy during college in which I was able to observe at the American School of Milan. Here, I learned different styles of teaching for different students, and I got to explore Italy!

I graduated from Illinois State University in 2010 with a B.A. in English, receiving three different honors distinctions. I had a second major in Psychology and three minors, including French, cognitive science, and TESOL. Following graduation, I joined the Peace Corps and worked in Benin (West Africa) as an English teacher for two years, taking many opportunities along the way to do projects focused on women’s empowerment and girls’ education. I tutored many students in English, helping some catch up in class and also working with gifted students on areas that interested them. I stayed a third year to coordinate a peer-education health project and returned to the Chicago area in August 2013. I tutor a broad range of subjects, but really enjoy working with students on French language and English writing and grammar because, throughout my years of studying these subjects, I’ve come up with a lot of fun and creative ways to learn them that I’d love to share with students. I’ve worked very hard to prepare for standardized tests and I understand the difficulties they can sometimes pose, so I’m also excited to help students tackle these important exams. I strongly believe in the value of education and that every day is an opportunity to learn something new. In terms of hobbies, I enjoy gymnastics, circus arts (I was a performer for four years), hiking (I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2011), cooking, and reading (especially science fiction).

I am a graduate of Cambridge University in Leadership, from the University of Illinois-Springfield in Online Teaching and Learning, and hold baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees in geology and geochemistry. Since graduation, I have traveled extensively and have presented at over two hundred conferences and international venues. I am the sole or senior author of more than ninety publications, abstracts, presentations and workshops on an international basis. I have taught students in science courses such as geology, geochemistry, earth science, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy over the past twenty-five years. I have served as an advisor for students in many areas of discipline and have led Study Abroad learning experiences for students in both Australia and Hawai'i.Teaching has been a central part of my adult life and I strive to not only teach students but provide them with life skills such as understanding diversity, equity, and inclusiveness which I stress in all the courses I teach. Education is my life's work, and I impress upon others that it is critical for an improved quality of life, and I try to impart this appreciation to all my students.I enjoy hiking, collecting rocks, geocaching, and flying drones to produce aerial photos and videos. I have two students in college on the west coast.I look forward to working with you and finding out more about your needs.

I am passionate about helping students because it is something that I do for a living. I am currently a fifth grade teacher. I have been teaching for the last five years. I received my Bachelors of Science in Education, specifically Elementary Education from Illinois State University. I also have my endorsement in both English as a Second language and reading. The subjects that I tutor are elementary school math, reading, science, and writing. I can also tutor in English, math, reading, science, and writing. My favorite subjects to teach would be elementary math and algebra 1. I would describe my teaching philosophy and tutoring style as that it's okay to have to try again. We can always work toward a specific goal. We're in this together. Learning is not linear, our minds ebb and flow throughout our lives and it's okay if we don't get it right now. We will get it soon enough.

As a dedicated educator with a Master's degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University, I am passionate about fostering a supportive learning environment for all students. With over 2 years of tutoring experience and several years of classroom teaching, I specialize in subjects such as Business Statistics, Elementary/Middle Math, Special Education, and ESL/ELL. My teaching philosophy centers on personalized instruction and building strong connections with students, enabling them to gain confidence and achieve academic success. I find great joy in helping students develop their executive functioning skills, which empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey. Outside the classroom, I enjoy reading and exploring new educational methodologies, constantly seeking ways to enhance my teaching approach.

I am a current Master's degree student at Illinois State University, where I study Communication. I currently work both as a private tutor for high school/AP English, ACT prep, SAT prep, and as a graduate teaching assistant at my university. I have several years of tutoring and teaching experience working with clients from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of goals and challenges, and I have used that experience to develop the strongest pedagogy possible, in order to accommodate the needs of all my clients. I look forward to meeting and working with your student!

I am passionate about language learning and hope to help others.

I have been teaching Kindergarten and first grade for the past 12 years. I have also been a one on and one and small group tutor for the past 12 years. I have helped students with reading skills, phonics, and primary math skills.

Empowering students to steer destiny in the direction of their choice is my challenge as an educator.A well oiled classroom is imperative when you're in charge of 30+ students. The downside, however, is that some of those students will slip through the cracks if they are not given enough attention. Upon earning my degree in English Education at Illinois State University, I realized after my first year of teaching that most students in Chicago Public Schools were reading at least two grades below grade level.Thats when I decided to pursue a Masters in Reading to address the problem. I tutored K12 (all subjects) for three years to master the methodology I gleaned from professors before returning to the classroom. Since teaching is an art, I consider my instructional philosophy to be versatility in motion because learning styles and progress vary accordingly. Indeed, if I hadn't had the passion to empower students to be more than they thought they could be, I wouldn't have been surrounded by priceless smiles that kept me coming back.

I have been in education for 17 years and hold multiple degrees from Illinois State, Aurora and National-Louis Universities. I am endorsed in elementary general education, as well as Special Education and Reading at the K-12 levels. I find the greatest student success when I work with the student to create custom and fun learning opportunities that meet their individual needs and style of learning.

I enjoy teaching and tutoring because I enjoy working with kids, and I love to have a part in seeing them do things they weren't able to do before. As a lifelong teacher that has been my reward. I have been teaching for a many years and am certified to teach in elementary, middle and high schools. I prefer working one-on-one or with small groups. When I start getting to know my students I want to know them as the unique persons they are. Then I want to know what learning needs they have so together we can set goals and work on them. When I can I like to use games and give challenges. We have as much fun as we can while making the efforts needed for learning. Kids, parents and I will partner together so we can each do our part so kids can be successful. I have a BA in biology from Augustana College, a MS in Education from Illinois State University and further coursework at Northern Illinois University. Besides teaching in Illinois and California my experience includes years in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. During the last three years I was teaching English online to Chinese students. Subjects I can teach are elementary level subjects, especially math (up to pre-algebra), science, English and reading. I also can teach high school biology. When I'm not teaching I enjoy doing things outdoors, especially camping and fishing. I also like to make music by singing and playing my harmonica.

I love being a part of the learning process and enjoy finding new ways to explain things!

I have taught in the elementary classroom for nearly 20 years. My favorite subject to teach is math. I have tutored math students from Kindergarten through 5th grade. I love seeing students gain understanding and often realize how much fun math can be. Math is a real life skill that everyone will use for their entire life. I hope to make relevant connections for my students between math and the real world.

I believe every child can succeed with the right support, encouragement, and strategies. I have 11 years of teaching experience. Currently, I am a special education teacher and work with students who have a range of different disabilities. I've also taught 4th grade dual language (Spanish). I tutor elementary and middle school aged students in reading, writing, and math. I have experience working with students who need both enrichment and extra practice. I value patience, communication, and confidence-building. I look forward to partnering with families to help students thrive academically and enjoy learning.

Hello! I'm James! I enjoy language learning, Theatre arts, multicultural activities, performance, voice acting, photography, ESL, and more! I have about 7 years of teaching ESL in China to K12, University, and business students. I speak Japanese and Chinese Mandarin, my bachelors degree is in Theatre, my Masters degree is in Theatre (Asian Theatre), I have an HSK4 (Chinese language certificate), I've been the head of the theatre department at a K12 school, I've acted in and directed both in English and Japanese in America and Japan Kabuki Theatre productions

I am a graduate of Illinois State University where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education and my Master of Arts in Foreign Languages. I also have a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Governors State University. I have traveled to various Spanish speaking countries and loved the experiences. I enjoy working with youth and adults by helping them to broaden their minds learning another language and about the culture of the people. Teaching Spanish has been a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. I believe the higher you can go with your education, the better you are to make yourself more marketable. Learning Spanish is not only fun, and easy, but also beneficial in terms of personal growth, travel, building relationships, and career prospects. Working with students one on one or in groups is rewarding and enjoyable. The goal is to get them to the next level in acquiring the knowledge that they seek. In my spare time I enjoy singing in my church choir, traveling, and spending time with my family.

Hello! I am a former teacher that has taught a multitude of subjects K-12! I specialize in Health, K-5 math, ACT, and Algebra. I have bachelor's and Master's degree in education and I am looking forward to working with you!

I am currently a middle school and high school French teacher in the Chicago area. This is my 5th year of teaching.Previously, I studied at Illinois State University where I earned my BA in French with an endorsement to teach K-12. During my studies at ISU, I had the opportunity to spend a year in Angers, France immersing myself in the language and culture.I firmly believe that students are capable of learning a language if they are willing to put in the extra effort. Daily practice and exposure to the studied language will improve comprehension and production. Students must also be willing to express themselves, to the best of their abilities, in the French language in order to feel more at ease in the language. Errors are not failure but a way to learn for the future.

My name is Nicole Kappel. I have been involved in education since I was young. My first experience was tutoring general coursework for students grade 3-5. After that, I continued tutoring friends who needed help with math coursework for many years. After I began college, I started working at a Children's Museum helping Biology Education students create lesson plans to teach science to students age 11-14 and also to give them the tools to teach those topics to younger children later on. While pursuing my Master's degree in Biology, I taught several college level laboratory courses including "Bio 101", "Biological Diversity", "Botany", "Economic Botany", and "Ecology & Conservation of Plants". I have also worked as an Environmental Educator teaching ages 4-10 about science, nature, and other related topics.I love to teach and to help students to understand concepts as well as to become independent learners. My strengths in teaching Math, Science, and testing will be an asset to any student. I look forward to using my skills to help students to succeed.

Teaching struggling readers is my PASSION! I have spent the last 23 years serving in the public education system; from classroom teacher to administrator and EVERYTHING in between! My passion for teaching reading inspired me to obtain my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading from Grand Canyon University before achieving a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University in 2015. After all these years, my favorite job has always been to work with K-5 kiddos, particularly with those who struggle in reading. I love helping students find success, make gains and be confident readers. All they need is the toolbox, I can give them the tools!

Hello; I have been a college professor teaching business related courses for over 15 years. My background is in finance, accounting, economics and operations management. I have completed nearly two MBA's and I also have a BA in Economics and a BS in Business Administration. I have taught for Columbia University (Manhattan, NY), UNC (Chapel Hill, NC), VCU (Richmond, VA), SKEMA US (Raleigh, NC) and many others. I am proficient at teaching courses both onsite and online. I also have experience teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses to college bound students. I also possess many years working as a corporate executive. I have started and turned around large corporations. I have also worked as a consultant and franchisee helping people learn how to get into business for themselves. Hence, I bring a real world knowledge to my students and show them how to apply college courses to actual working situations. I have done a fair amount of consulting work as well. I have written corporate training scripts for virtual lectures in areas such as Presentation Skills for Managers, Coaching Employees in Difficult Situations and Virtual Team Management. I am also a co-author and I am in the process of writing a textbook for use in Introduction to Business courses. Hence, I can help students to improve their business writing skills, presentation skills, teaming skills, etc. I love working with students and I like to have fun while learning together. I typically receive exemplary ratings from students for whom I teach. I am approved by Varsity Tutors to help students in over 15 business related topics. I look forward to working with you! Sincerely, Professor Walker

I am a graduate of Illinois State University. I received my Bachelors in Science focusing on Elementary Education. While teaching, I studied at Lewis University where earned a Masters in Education focusing on ESL. I have taught in rural, suburban, and urban settings in Illinois and student taught Year 4 in England. With over ten years of teaching and tutoring experience, I love teaching English, Reading, Math ,and ELLs. I often look for students' needs and volunteer my own time to help them grow. In my free time, I enjoy reading, dancing, hockey, rock climbing, and rollerblading.

Hi, I am Noah and I'm an actuarial science major at Illinois State University. I'm pretty good at math and science. I also have experience teaching English abroad.

I attended both Lewis University and Moraine Valley Community College before earning my degrees at Illinois State University. I have a B.S. in English and a Master of Science Degree in Writing with a focus on Teaching Composition at the Community College Level. I have taught Composition at Western Illinois University, South Suburban College and the University of St. Francis. I have taught as a substitute teacher, and as a Tour Guide at ButterPrint farm in Monee, Illinois, I taught students covering the 1910 Museum, the Prairie Tour, and the Nature Museum. Whether it involved new automotive technology features or capturing best practices for knowledge-sharing databases, I have always been passionate about teaching others. Subjects I especially excel in are Language Arts/Writing, History, and Math. In my spare time I love to garden and play catch with my son.

I am a geologist and science enthusiast with over 10 years of real world experience in the industry. I have tutored countless students since my undergraduate studies and have a passion for helping students succeed.

I taught English in Japan. I really enjoy teaching teenagers and adults. I have a great deal of experience with teaching adults and teenagers over 16 where English is their second language. I also taught history and geography in Texas for 12 years. I have bachelors degree in history and social sciences from Illinois State University. I got my social studies teaching certificate from Texas Woman's University. I also have TESOL certification. I have a great deal of experience with teaching business English, accent reduction, IELTS conversation, and reading preparation. My teaching style is creative. Students can feel comfortable speaking with me in English. I look forward to meeting new students. I can teach you and also learn from you.

Here to make Mathematics more approachable for you/your student! I am a graduate of Illinois State University in Secondary Mathematics, certified to teach middle level and high school level mathematics by the state of Illinois. My main passion is Mathematics but I also enjoy other fields such as Chemistry, Computer Science, and History. In my spare time I enjoy reading and video games.

I am a graduate of Illinois State University, where I attained my bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education and my master's degree in English Literature with a concentration in Literary and Cultural studies. Currently, I work as an Instructional Assistant Professor for the English Department at Illinois State University. When I was a graduate student, I worked as a Writing Specialist for the Graduate School at ISU, where I tutored graduate students on ways that they could improve their writing for both their classes and for their thesis and dissertations. I also hold a teaching license for grades 9-12 in both Wisconsin and Illinois. After attaining my bachelor's degree, I worked as a high school English teacher in the US for a year and a half. I also worked as a primary and secondary educator at an international bilingual school in Central America for four years. During my time abroad I taught 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Grade English Language Arts, as well as high school Social Arts, English, and History courses (such as Philosophy, AP US History, Sociology, Contemporary History, and Anthropology.) Though I have taught a wide range of topics, my favorite subjects to teach are English, History, Anthropology, and Philosophy. In my experience working with high school, undergraduate, and graduate students; my favorite experience is when I help a student understand new ways to make connections to a text they are reading, or help them in ways to improve their writing. I believe that to communicate clearly and coherently is to advocate for one's self, which can make all the difference in one's self-confidence and academic success. Outside my academic pursuits, I love traveling, learning new languages, running marathons, cooking, and being a mom.

Hello! My name is Sharima Jackson. I am from Waukegan, Illinois. I am currently a 1st grade teacher whose been teaching over 22 years and I love my job! I believe that all kids can learn and that there is a way to reach everyone. I am big on equity and inclusion in regards to making sure instruction is tailored to your child's needs. I am very dedicated to make sure my students become successful and reach their goals.

As a dedicated tutor currently pursuing my Bachelor's in Biological Sciences at Illinois State University, I am passionate about fostering a deep understanding of the natural world in my students. With experience in subjects ranging from AP Biology to Organic Chemistry, I strive to create an engaging and supportive learning environment tailored to each student's unique needs. My teaching philosophy centers on making complex concepts accessible and relevant, encouraging critical thinking and curiosity. I believe that every student has the potential to excel, and I am committed to helping them achieve their academic goals through personalized guidance and encouragement. In addition to my academic pursuits, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, which enriches my teaching with real-world connections to the sciences.

After graduating from Illinois State University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, I found my "home" at a large, urban junior high where I still teach today. In addition to being a 7th and 8th grade math teacher, I am also a Lead Teacher at my school, a member of my district's Leadership Team, and an independent contractor with a prestigious university, where I facilitate and lead professional development seminars for other math teachers. I also have many years of experience in tutoring students in science, social studies, and organization/study skills.During my time at my school I have discovered my passion for making mathematics accessible and appropriately challenging for all students. Every student is different, and I pride myself in my ability to tailor my lessons and methods of instruction to meet each student's individual strengths and needs. It is my personal goal to make kids see that math is interesting, not scary, and that it is OK to struggle with it sometimes. The way that we learned math when we were in school years ago is drastically different from how I run my classroom and tutoring sessions. I encourage conversations about math, use of manipulatives and games, and I even encourage productive struggle! I use strategic questioning and visuals to guide my students through their struggle to help them realize with some hard work and focus, they can and will understand the material.Learning is fun and finally grasping that concept that has boggled your mind for so long is an extremely satisfying feeling! I look forward to working with your family and passing my love of learning along to your children.

I graduated this past May from Illinois State University with a degree in Elementary Education. I have experience working with students from kindergarten through eighth grade. I am specifically endorsed in reading, language arts, and social studies. I will soon be endorsed in science as well. I enjoy tutoring because of the one-on-one interaction that does not occur as frequently in a classroom setting. I am very passionate about teaching and have a lot of new ideas to bring to tutoring sessions. When I am not tutoring you can find me working as a camp counselor or at home going for a bike ride with my siblings. I am excited to meet my students and am anxious to begin!

I am a veteran educator and a believer that all children can learn given the proper support and services. I spent most of my teaching and administrative experience in urban schools.During my educational career I have been able to connect and collaborate with educators globally.Most of my career has been advocating for children in the areas of special education, behavioral issues, and mental health.A passionate advocate for children in trauma and children experiencing mental health issues, I am author of three books geared for elementary children and loves helping children sort out their feelings. The books incorporate emotional health as well as social and emotional learning concepts with the goal of empowering children to freely and effectively communicate their thoughts and emotions.

Teaching people how to further their creative skills with patience and compassion!