Best Reading and Writing Tutor

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Introduction

When I was in school I struggled with reading and writing challenges and was placed in remedial classes, so I personally understand how and why students struggle and have the tools to get them reading and writing proficiently within a short period of time. I have two Master's Degrees in both reading and writing and have been teaching full-time and tutoring for over 20 years. In addition, I was the President of the Northern California Writing/Reading Center Association and have presented at Stanford and UC Berkeley on how to tutor effectively. Every year my students have rated me as an outstanding teacher (see student evaluation photos above), which I believe to be my greatest achievement. I have never met a student I could not help. If you hire me you are hiring an expert and you will achieve your goal of becoming, or helping your child become, a better reader and/or writer. I enjoy empowering students by helping them gain confidence in their reading and writing abilities. I feel a great deal of joy when I watch a child transition from being afraid to pronounce or spell a word to hearing excitement in their voice when telling me about something they've just read or written. When I'm working with older students, it's when you see the level of satisfaction on their faces because their paper reflects exactly what it is they wanted to say, or if they are working on reading, the light of epiphany in their eyes when they understand the deeper meaning of the text they've just read.

Overview

Hired 18 times

Background checked

1 employee

25 years in business

Business hours

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This pro accepts payments via Cash and PayPal.

Top Pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

2019

2018

Projects and media

7 photos

Projects and media

7 photos

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

18 reviews

100%

Jacinta E.

Jun 5, 2018

Hired on Thumbtack

Details: 8th grade • Reading comprehension • Essay writing / review • Native speaker • Improve grades at school • As recommended by professional • 60 minutes • Within the next 1 - 2 weeks • Conducting initial research • Phone or internet (no in-person meeting) • I travel to the reading and writing tutor • The reading and writing tutor travels to me

Reading and Writing Tutoring

Kimberly G.

May 4, 2018

My daughter started to digress mid year in kindergarten. She went from excitement and loving to learn to crying every morning, saying she was not smart, she was embarrassed in front of the other kids. She was not able to grasp the fundamentals of reading and it was not from a lack of trying. She finished her Kindergarten year, and by the request of Teachers we had her tested by speech pathologist, and audiologist. To no avail. Though the recommendation of our Teacher (through south Sutter charter) we met Maria. Maria began to tutor Sophia in first grade. It was a rough start, Sophia felt the task was impossible. This is where Maria’s expertise and wisdom as a tutor helped immensely. I took to heart everything Maria said, and during the week we implemented 100% of her philosophy and approach. We then decided to use an online platform that worked just as well as in person. Week by week I saw Maria connect with Sophia, build her confidence and even though she struggled sentence by sentence they both stayed committed. By mid year, Sophia was reading at a First grade level. We decided to continue with Maria as her English and writing tutor that year and into her 3rd grade. Maria, has been a God send in every way. As a parent we want to do the best for our kids and sometimes we have to trust those who are able to connect and push our kids in ways we may not be able to. Sophia has not just learned to read, but learned through an interest based approach. She now can go to the library type out her topic and check out a book all on her own. She has the confidence to read aloud and try books that challenge her. One of the greatest joys is watching her take what she has learned with Maria and apply it to other subjects in school. Maria’s commitment and dedication to Sophia has been priceless. Her dedication to her students is unsurpassed. She listens, watches and creates a program and outline that is invaluable resource as a parent. I Cannot recommend her highly enough.

Pam B.

May 2, 2018

Maria Madruga - What can be said about her teaching methods? Dynamic! Intuitive! Insightful! Tailored to the specific needs of the pupil whether it is in a one—on – one online, or in person, setting, or a classroom setting. As a former student I can attest to the above whole heartedly. She teaches to the needs of the student(s) whether it is reading or comprehension. I was thoroughly impressed with her methods.

Marcia M.

May 3, 2018

Maria is a great teacher. She taught me a ton about how to collect my thoughts and then write them down on paper. This was one of my most enjoyable learning experiences this year!

Vanessa C.

May 4, 2018

I can’t thank Maria enough for helping my son. She truly cared about our family and his academic goals. She was easy to communicate with and work on a plan. She kept him on track of reading assignments and improved his reading and writing skills. My son also needed encouragement and she helped provide this and champion his strengths. Maria is truly amazing and we will be using her as a writing coach in the future.

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Maria Madruga

FAQs

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Once the student/parent marks me as "hired," we will establish online tutoring sessions (times and days) and I will provide them with the details and next steps for working together.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Master of Arts, English Literature (2013), Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana. Master of Arts, Composition and Rhetoric, University of Nevada, Reno. Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Nevada, Reno. Study Abroad Program, University of Woolongong, Woolongong, Australia. Scholarships and Fellowships Graduate Presidential Scholarship, Montana State University. Fall 2010-Spring 2011. Edward and Doris Ward Scholarship, Montana State University. Spring 2011. Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Montana State University. Summer 2010-Spring 2013. Graduate Teaching Fellowship, University of Nevada, Reno. Spring 1994-Spring.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I was in a remedial English class in college and my teacher required that we go (at least once) to the campus tutoring center. I can still remember how afraid and embarrassed I was when I sat down with the tutor. To this day I am grateful to my teacher for making me go, because that one tutoring session changed my life. Because of the help I received from my tutor that day, the story I was working on was published in the University art and literature anthology, Brushfire. I got a job as a tutor on campus the next year and became the editor of Brushfire my senior year. I tutored on campus all through my Master's Degree and my first job was as a full-time director of a college reading and writing tutoring center. The center was so successful I was courted to another college to become their Academic Achievement Director. While working there, I was selected to present at Stanford University on best tutoring practices. I took a team of tutors to present with me (see press release in my photos). I've also been interviewed on PBS, Discover Native Nevada, and National Public Radio, and it all started with that one tutoring session so many years ago.