Academic Support
Writing
Writing is a critical, teachable skill. Most people who struggle with writing are actually having trouble organizing their thoughts. Therefore, if I can only meet with a student once, I would rather work to develop a strong outline than try to untangle a disorganized draft. Writing is hard work because it forces us to sort through information and make sense of it. This is especially challenging for students with executive functioning challenges. I have had countless former students email me from college to thank me for teaching them to write; they really mean I taught them to think. Click here to see an example of an outline in-progress.
English and History Tutoring
Intimate, one on one work, allows a teacher to address each student’s needs and unlock their potential. Many students who are bored and unengaged in the classroom blossom when they receive individual attention. A tutor’s job is to not only to address limitations, but to make students aware of what they do well. At the end of a session, students should not only leave with a stronger draft of a paper or a deeper understanding of a subject, but with a sense of being more organized, more able, and more confident than when they arrived.A good tutor is an effective storyteller. Overwhelmed by dates and details, students can’t make sense of history. Buried in Elizabethan English, they tune out when reading Shakespeare. There is nothing I love more than talking with a student about Reconstruction or explaining a passage from Macbeth and seeing their eyes light up when they finally grasp what had been so elusive in class.
Language Tutoring
No one has ever hired me strictly as a language tutor, but I often help current students with basic French or Spanish grammar and vocabulary. I started studying French at age 11, spent many summers with an exchange student in Nice, and received the top score on two AP tests. I took intensive Spanish classes throughout college and spent a summer studying the language in Guatemala.
Research Papers
Contrary to what most students believe, the actual writing of the research paper is not the stumbling block—gathering and organizing information gives the most trouble. I assist with executive functioning challenges by breaking the project down into manageable parts. The first step is picking a topic; this seems simple, but a poor choice can be like building a skyscraper on quicksand. Gathering research is potentially the hardest step; some students are overwhelmed and don’t know how to start while others are drowning in a plethora of notecards. I guide students through this process with the appropriate level of support. As the student becomes more knowledgeable about the topic, we brainstorm together to form a preliminary thesis statement. I remind them that the purpose of the paper is to make an argument. As we focus on building their case, the outline starts to take shape. The actual writing of the paper comes naturally if these building blocks are in place.
Test Preparation
I have prepared scores of students for the Advanced Placement tests in U.S. History, World History, European History, English Language & Composition, and English Literature & Composition. The history tests require a firm grasp of content, and each calls for a specific kind of essay writing and strategic approach. I also prep kids for the US History, World History, and Literature SAT subject tests. I love working on the essay portion of the SAT or ACT which gives students an extra opportunity to shine on their college applications. For SAT/ACT prep, I highly recommend DannFuriaTutoring.com.
Organization
Some students need help primarily with organization. I start by making sure the student has an effective method for writing down assignments. The idealist in me believes that everything needs to have a place, but the realist understands that students are not always capable of taking the time to find that place. I have started many sessions by helping students organize their backpacks. This basic activity establishes a foundation and builds confidence.