FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
After receiving my bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine, I began training with fantastic test prep companies to learn the intricacies of the SAT and ACT. Working at Elite Educational Institute and Tried & True Tutoring, for example, has given me invaluable experience in teaching both classrooms of high school students and tutoring individualized sessions with students eager to improve their scores. Throughout my undergraduate career, I ran a private business tutoring in English (including ESL), Spanish, and math. Working with non-profits and volunteering with READOC, Orange County's confidential literacy program for adults (who simply never learned to read), also challenged my teaching skills and expanded my knowledge by forcing me to truly customize lesson plans for any type of student!
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
Interestingly enough, I received offers to teach test prep classes years before I accepted any of them. At the time, I had just graduated high school and was still reeling from the pressure of having to ace my own standardized tests! I soon came to realize that standardized tests are part of an institution that cannot easily be changed, so I might as well help as many students as I can to reach their academic goals - and ultimately, their life goals. The past four years have provided me with some of the most rewarding work I have ever done!
- What types of customers have you worked with?
You name it! I guarantee I've worked with that type of student. I've worked with first-generation, immigrant, and heritage speakers - 5 years old, 17 years old, or 65 years old - shy, disinterested, enthusiastic, or distracted by ADD/ADHD - low income and corporate training - the list goes on. The strongest thread binding all of these students together is the connection we are able to make as teacher and learner, which allows us both to work tirelessly towards the academic and personal goals of the learner.