Rachel

TEAS

Praxis

The Praxis Tests 1 and 2 are for American Teacher Certifications. It is similar to the CBEST which is used in California. I am qualified to tutor Praxis 1, which consists of three areas: Reading, Writing, and Math. I have tutored students for the CBEST, which is the equivalent exam in California. Other similar tests which I tutor for are the ASVAB and the TEAS. The CBEST, ASVAB, and TEAS all consist of the same three areas listed above. I am qualified to tutor for Praxis 2, which consists of content in many different subject areas. I have experience in many different subject areas because of the high stakes exams I tutor for (MCAT, GRE, SAT) which cover many different subject areas in the Verbal portion.

ISEE

I have tutored for the Independent School Entrance Examination. My students have excellent results. There are definitely techniques, which can be learned, that will result in a higher score. I help students with reading and math skills, reading comprehension (including how to increase their vocabulary), quantitative math reasoning,and also essay writing. The essay portion of the ISEE is not scored, but it is transmitted to the school to which the student is applying. It is important that the student does well on this portion also. I first give the student a pre-test in the four ares plus a short essay, then together we go over those results and map out a plan for which areas need the most effort toward improvement. Then we schedule a series of tutoring sessions according to that plan.

CBEST

I tutor students to help them prepare for this test, in the three areas that the CBEST tests: Verbal and Math ability as well as Writing. In the Writing area, which has six key areas of grading, I particularly stress organization, development (use of supporting information), and structure (including grammar), three key areas in which students are often weak. I am qualified for this in two ways: 1) I obtained a 94th percentile on my own graduate entrance tests (GRE) which include Verbal and Math areas and I write academic papers in my current doctoral program, which often include advanced statistics components; and 2) I have tutored students who are applying to private high schools and need the CBEST. I am very successful in tutoring students in these areas of the CBEST.

bar exam

I am an expert tutor for high-stress, "high stakes" exams. I am certified to tutor for the LSAT for students appplying to law schools. In grading the bar exam for law school graduates, the graders are looking for signs that you KNOW THE LAW, and can use the fact patterns in a LOGICAL way to apply the law to the situation. I prepare students for writing logical, well-organized essays in a time-limited situation. The essays must be well-formatted with subdivisions. I prepare students for the MBE and the MPT. I show students how to synthesize the material they have learned in law school, and how to attract the attention of the grader and show your knowledge in the average THREE MINUTES that a grader spends on each essay answer.

college counseling

career development

NCLEX

MCAT

special needs

I am experienced in tutoring students who have Downs syndrome and students who have learning differences. I use a multi-sensory approach and student involvement. I use play dough, large flip charts, and giant "post-its" that we put on the wall as we learn new things. The students enjoy their tutoring sessions. I would be glad to talk with any parent about goals for the student and my tutoring approach.

ESL/ESOL

I have helped many international students here in Los Angeles, for whom English is not their native langugage. I work on three areas: 1. SPOKEN English; 2. WRITTEN English, 3. Mastering ESSAY WRITING for high-stakes tests such as the IELTS. When SPEAKING English, international students will often use the sentence structure of their native language, and I show them how to change this pattern. I have worked with Asian students, Hispanic students, and recently a student whose native language is Portuguese. In WRITING English, students often omit crucial words such as articles and prepositions. I have been very successful in helping students change these patterns. I am a professional writer, both in my PhD program and in writing federal grants. I have been successful by doing the following: 1. I review the grammar and syntax patterns of your native language, so I know how you "think" in that language and how you a structure your sentences; 2. We have conversations, and I also go over with you some of your writing so I can show you where that "thinking" shows up in your speaking and your writing; 3. I then tutor you in how to easily and systematically change the sentence structure to speak and write in correct English. This is a great, workable system that has fast results. Students make very rapid progress and improving their grades on coursework and on high-stakes tests. Rachel

ACT Reading

ACT English

elementary math

phonics

I have a passion for teaching students the secrets of phonics! Whether you are an adult who is struggling to make sense of English words which do not seem to "follow the rules" or you are a parent who is frustrated with watching your child struggle, I can help! I am an excellent writer and tutor. I scored in the 94th percentile on the Graduate Record Exam Writing Portion. This means that I scored higher than 93 out of 100 people taking the test throughout the world! There are simple rules which will make you or your struggling child successful in reading and writing, which are so important to getting ahead. Please let me help you!

study skills

I have helped young students, and adult students, to organize and prioritize, in order to improve their study skills. First, together we do an assessment of what the issues are and why you think you need help with study skills. Some typical ways that I help students are the following: 1.ORGANIZING SUPPLIES AND A PLACE TO WORK. Review what supplies you have, compile a list of needed supplies, and organize a regular workplace. If you do not have a place where you can work every night (such as a young student who has to go back and forth between mom's house and dad's house, or a student who needs to study at an "on-call" job during down-time)then we can organize a creative "portable office". 2. TIME MANAGEMENT. It is critical for a student to be able to manage time, and there are many distractions available. This is often the root of the problem if you are not doing as well as you desire. In a few short sessions, I can help you learn how to prioritize tasks to get the most accomplished in the time available. Together, we color-code assignments and deadlines for a typical week and month, and prioritize them and allot certain times for each project, in order to get everything completed. We go over what you are using now for time management systems (electronic devices and/or calendars, folders, etc.), why they are not working, and what might be better. 3.PRIORITIZING GOALS AND FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICTURE. Have you seen that t-shirt with the galaxy on it, and an arrow pointing to our solar system with a message "you are here"? Sometimes a student can get so lost in the overall bombardment of information, assignments and deadlines, that he/she gets lost and is unable to prioritize. My tutoring helps you get your bearings now, relative to your eventual goal, and focus on the things that will give you the most success for the time and effort you expend. There are many possible causes for "poor study skills" but most can be remedied with assistance. Keep in mind that some students have simply taken on too much responsibility and may need to say no to some activities for awhile, to achieve more in the areas that are most important at this time. If this is the case, we will determine together a way to re-focus and achieve your primary goals.

geology

TOEFL

ASVAB

PSAT

SSAT

spelling

I like to help students who are having a hard time with a writing project, or who want to improve their scores on the writing portion of a particular test. I also help people complete their theses and dissertations! Sometimes a person can become a bit paralyzed and unable to move forward in a big project. I have written two theses and a dissertation proposal, and I teach specific techniques to help you get "un-stuck" and move forward.

nursing

SAT writing

law

SAT reading

proofreading

psychology

LSAT

GRE

I love to tutor students who are planning to take the Graduate Record Exam. There are definitely ways to increase your scores in each section, including the Essay section which can be scary for some students. In our sessions, and in the homework I recommend, you will see that there are strategies to use in preparation for the exam, which will improve your scores. I also teach test-taking strategies and techniques to help you focus on test day, while decreasing your stress. Please take a look at my profile and see if this is a good match for you. Rachel

economics

writing

The ability to write well is crucial to a student's success on high-stakes tests such as the SAT and GRE, and professional tests such as the LSAT. I can show you the factors which concern the graders, and give you tips on how to score higher in the writing portions. In addition to offering tutoring for these tests, I also offer a service to students in the college admissions process: I can help you write an interesting and compelling essay which makes a strong statement about your unique qualities. This essay is a crucial part of your admissions process; in fact it is the only part over which you have 100% control. Although I do not write the essay for you, I can edit it and show you how to make it stronger. Another service which I offer is editing and organizing college essays and theses. I can help if you are "stuck" and cannot seem to get the paper to flow as you would like. Success in an undergraduate program of study at a college or university, or in a professional graduate program, will enable you to make a great deal more money in your professional life, and the investment in tutoring will pay for itself many times over. I am respectful of the money which students and their families spend for tutoring, and I will help you to make the most of each session. I am happy to talk with students first on the phone, to determine if we both feel it is a good fit. Please provide the company with your payment information. Discounts are offered for paying in advance for a number of sessions. Please let me know if I can help you! I want you to be successful! Rachel My policies: 1. The first session includes an evaluation and a plan for our work together. Every student is different, and we need to agree together on exactly what your specific needs are, and what your goals are. 2. I give homework if you want to progress faster and save money. 3. There is a 24-hour advance cancellation policy (which I have never had to use). 4. Sessions are a minimum of one and a half hours each. This allows a good review, concentrated work time, and agreeing on a homework assignment if you want it.

algebra 1

vocabulary

A good vocabulary is crucial to a student's success on many high-stakes tests, such as the SAT and the GRE, and tests oriented towards a profession, such as the LSAT. I use techniques which help students to learn words that are critical on these tests, and also learn how to take apart a new word and make a very good guess about its meaning. Mastery of a strong vocabulary will also increase your score on the writing portion of a test. Increasingly, admissions committees have found that a good writing sample which is done at the testing center, is a good indication of a student's possibility of doing well in a college or university program. I am respectful of the money that students put into their tutoring needs, and I try to work efficiently so that we accomplish a lot in the tutoring sessions. I am happy to talk to you when you are deciding on a tutor. If we agree that it seems like a good match, I would be very happy to help you!

grammar

prealgebra

reading

Reading difficulties are often based on an incorrect understanding of Phonics. The first thing I do is have the student read three passages of different types of books, and also tell me about the challenges experienced to date. Then I tell the student where the problems are, and we make a plan to improve the reading. If there are serious learning difficulties , then I will refer the student to another type of professional, but usually it is something that can be corrected with proper information and practice. Please read my Profile and let me know if you think this is a good fit for you. I want you to be successful!

English

I have helped a number of International Students at UCLA here in Los Angeles. I am very patient. We go over first what the structure of sentences is, in your native language, and what is the common usage of parts of speech such as articles. Then I help you to see why you are making the mistakes in English that you are, because the mistakes are based on your "thinking" in the previous language. From there, we can together devise ways to make your English sound like a native English speaker!