Piano Teacher, English, Math, and Spanish tutor, GED and SAT Preparation

Q. Describe three recent jobs you've completed.

A. I was able to raise a student's grade from a complete F to a D in 2 months. The D was her final grade. I came in towards the end of the semester so I did not have much time. I helped her with remedial work and then brought her up to speed.

I helped a man over Skype from Poland to improve his knowledge of idioms and pronunciation of English words and phraseology. After 4 months, he had a successful trip to America for business.

I helped a 5th grader to go from an F to a B- in about 3 months. She is even embracing new concepts that she will be covering in middle school, which she anticipates will be difficult for her. I have helped her overcome her fear of math in general.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Let the tutor know the child's needs up front. The tutor may administer an assessment to address the child's needs as well. If you are an adult, don't feel shy about seeking help for yourself.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. What subjects have you taught/tutored?
What is your education?
Where do you want the tutoring to be held?
What is your availability?
What are your rates, and do you have group rates?

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Meeting the challenge of tailoring the tutoring session to the individual. I like to bring the best out of the student and get them to love their subject.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I wish that my customers knew that not only do I teach piano but I compose my own music, some with lyrics and some without. I try to help my students to compose their own music as well.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I found that from my youth I always enjoyed sharing something I learned with someone else, almost immediately. Then I began to focus in on special interests, such as math and music. I officially began tutoring about age 16 and now I am 49. How did the time fly!

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Academic Subjects are $15/hour. 4 weeks prepaid are at a $12/hour rate.
Groups of 2 $20/hour; 4 weeks prepaid are at a rate of $16/hour. Groups of 3 $25/hour; 4 weeks prepaid are at a rate of $20/hour.
Piano lessons are $20/hour. 4 weeks prepaid are at a $16/hour rate. Piano Lessons can be given at a 1/2 hour level, 3/4 hour level, or hour level.
I use the Alfred Method.
First lesson is free, a meet and greet and an assessment.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. I feel that my greatest strength is to be able to communicate to a variety of people, various backrounds and personalities. I adapt to their learning style and personality.

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. I am working on my advanced Spanish skills. I currently teach only 1st year Spanish. I lived in Ecuador 27 years ago for almost a year and have kept up with the language since then, but I could use a refresher on the more advanced concepts.