Fun Facts

I'm a born again cross country runner, I ran all through high school, and quit my third year of college after our coaches started yelling at us for doing homework during a meet. I've started running most mornings, pounding the dirt trails behind my housing complex. Currently my running soundtrack consists of Iggy Pop and Ben Folds, though I am desperately looking for my real music collection to change that.

I write poetry and short fiction in spurts, sometimes retreating to a local coffee shop to spend most of the day there, drinking tea and tapping away at my keyboard or scribbling in my notebook. I also enjoy reading and watching the news on a daily basis, focusing on international politics and events.

When I can manage it, I love backpacking in the Los Angeles National Forest. As an Eagle Scout I have spent many weekends up in the woods, camping and hiking. My ideal vacation is a full week in the woods with a friend or two, just hiking and camping.

About Me

Born in Galesburg, Illinois, I have moved many times between states. By the time I was three I had moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I attended a Waldorf Kindergarten and a private Catholic school first grade. Shortly after my summer break started we moved to Denton, Texas where I attended second through most of fifth grade at a local public school. During fifth grade my father moved us out to California, where I attended Wiley Canyon, Placerita Junior High School, and Hart High School. At Hart I found an interest in history, taking every AP History course offered, and easily scoring all 4's and 5's. I also took AP Physics, AP Bio, AP Chemistry and AP Calculus, scoring solid three's in every subject but AP Chemistry. After graduating from Hart, I attended Knox College where I double majored in Creative Writing and International Relations. At Knox I found that my true interest deviated from history and stayed centered in Politics. Despite my change in major's, I remained interested in History, taking the capstone, 300 level course my senior year. After graduating from Knox I spent some time traveling across the United States before settling back down in Santa Clarita as a chicago">tutor for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). With LAUSD, I tutored 15 different students over the course of one year, and improved their test scores by an average of 20 percent and their overall grades by one letter.
As a chicago">Tutor I prefer a mix of methods depending on the student in question and the subject that I am teaching. In my first session with the student, I prefer to spend some time getting to know them. I look for hobbies or interests that I can combine with the subject material, making our sessions more fun and interesting. During the sessions I like to maintain a friendly and positive demeanor, encouraging and asking questions that lead the student in the correct manner. I also like to constantly review previous lessons, keeping previous lessons fresh within their minds. These reviews may only be a couple questions, or a short quiz, depending on the level of review necessary. As a primarily visual and physical learner, I normally start with lessons geared towards this type of learning. However, as the first lesson develops, I will try other methods of chicago">tutoring, in an attempt to find the one that best fits each child.
While chicago">tutoring college level classes I take a more direct and professional tone. I read and return printed essays promptly, using a pen to comment both positive and negative aspects. I will write suggestions and make note of any grammar or spelling errors, but the end result is still up to the student.