Private Tutor in Westminster, MD
As a private tutor in Wesminster, MD, I offer one-on-one tutoring in several subjects, including the following:
Mathematics:
Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Precalculus, AP Calculus, Calculus I, SAT Math Preparation
Academic Writing:
Essays, Book Reviews, Term Papers, Research Papers, Course Projects, Lab Reports, APA/MLA/Chicago Citation Styles
Study Skills:
Critical Reading, Active Listening, Notetaking, Using Textbooks Effectively, Searching Library Databases & Online Information Sources, Managing Study Time
Student Age Range
I offer private tutoring to students in middle school, high school, or the first two years of college. As a former homeschooling parent, I especially enjoy working with homeschoolers. I’m also glad to teach adult learners, including parents who want to refresh their own knowledge so they can help their children learn.
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Tutoring Formats
One-on-One Tutoring:
Individual tutoring sessions are usually scheduled once or twice a week. Appointments can be for one or two hours.
Small Group Tutoring:
Although I believe one-on-one tutoring is usually best, I can also work with a group of up to 5 students. The fee per student will decrease with each additional student in the session. Small group tutoring in Westminster, MD is feasible only if the students are on the same level and of similar ability. Group sessions can be scheduled either weekly or once every two weeks, and may last from one to two hours.
Teaching Methods
Math Tutoring
It is my strong conviction that to learn math one has to understand the meanings of the technical terms and symbols, not just memorize the rules for manipulating them. For that reason, my tutoring sessions will always focus on explaining the underlying principles and helping you master fundamental concepts, in order to equip you for understanding more advanced math later on. And I’ll be teaching problem-solving strategies, rather than simply prompting you through today’s homework assignment.
Tutoring in Academic Writing
Academic writing is at the heart of all higher education. College students are assessed largely by what they write and how well they write it. Yet, apart from a required “freshman composition” course, writing skill is usually assumed and not explicitly taught. Drawing on several years of experience as a freelance copyeditor and technical writer, I will emphasize the fundamentals of good expository prose in both academic and non-academic settings.
Study Skills Tutoring
The teaching of study skills is badly neglected in our schools today, yet those skills are critical to academic success. What sense does it make to tell students, “Be sure to study for the test,” when they’ve never been taught how to study? High-achieving students can identify what needs to be learned in a course of study and know how to go about learning it. I can tutor you in effective learning strategies that will help you attain your goals at college and in your future career.
Whatever subject I’m asked to tutor, I always aim at providing a structured, supportive, and enjoyable experience for my students. I’m convinced that, with the proper framework and help, everybody can be a successful learner.
Communication with Teachers
At your request, I will be glad to send an e-mail to the student’s teacher, explaining that I am tutoring the student, and inviting the teacher to communicate with me about the student’s academic progress and needs, as well as describing to me what is being taught in class. In my experience, most teachers will respond favorably to such an e-mail, and the information they supply can be very helpful.
Locations
I conduct most of my tutoring at my home in Westminster, Maryland. Parking is available in front of my house or in my driveway. Parents are welcome to relax and read in my living room; internet access is available through my home network. Sometimes I meet students for tutoring at the Finksburg and Westminster/Main Street Public Libraries, and at Carroll Community College.
Times
Available by appointment only.
Weekdays ~ Between 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Saturdays ~ Between 10 AM and 1 PM
Fees
My fee for tutoring services is $210 for 6 hours of tutoring time ($35 per hour), payable in advance. I accept cash, checks, and online payments through PayPal (credit cards, debit cards, e-checks).
Appointments may be rescheduled with at least 6 hours notice. Lateness will reduce your session time.
An initial consultation is free, with no obligation. No tutoring will be done during the consultation, but parents or students can show me what subject areas or problems they are working on in class and explain what aspects of the material the student is struggling with.
Assessments
I’ve put together a series of written assessment tests for all levels of math from pre-algebra to calculus readiness, as well as essay prompts for short writing samples to assess verbal skills. By appointment, I can administer and grade a math or writing assessment appropriate to the student’s grade level and discuss the results with you.
No further obligation is involved. Assessments may take one-and-a-half to two hours, including grading and debriefing, and my fee is $35. That fee will be waived if you decide to engage me for 6 or more hours of tutoring.