Fun Facts

My name is Patrick James and I'm originally from a small town in rural New Jersey. I received my undergraduate degree in classical music at the manhattan-school-of-music">Manhattan School of Music, and I'm currently a graduate student at houston">the houston">University of Houston. I love to write, travel, read, play the piano, and cook. I also love to go jogging and swimming, and my favorite color is blue.

About Me

I am an MFA candidate at houston">the houston">University of Houston. My major is creative writing, and my concentration is in poetry. While I hope to someday publish my poetry, my professional goals mostly involve teaching. After I finish graduate school, I plan to apply to PhD programs in literature, and continue my academic journey.

I have worked with all types of students. When I was still in college, I began working with toddlers at a Montessori preschool. This was an amazing experience, and it's something I'll remember for as long as I live. After college I spent time houston">tutoring privately and teaching piano lessons. Eventually, I found myself working as a teacher's assistant at an elementary school in Queens, New York, and this past year I began teaching freshman English composition at houston">the houston">University of Houston.

As a houston">tutor, I primarily base my teaching philosophies in the idea of efficacy. I feel that "smart" isn't something you are, it's something you get. Talent is meaningless if isn't coupled with a direct desire to work very hard. If a student puts in significant time and energy, the a student will inevitably see the results of their efforts.