Gwen

CBEST

I was a Field Supervisor of teachers-in-training at UCLA for four years; during this time I helped many going into teaching study for and do well in the CBEST. I've also worked with many private students to prepare for this test. I am familiar with all topics on the CBEST.

dyslexia

I have read extensively on the Orton-Gillingham approach and have used it with success over the years. It includes guidelines for reading readiness, lessons, and student assessments. I've had 12 hours of professional development in How to Reach Students with LD (learning disabilities), I have 8 credits from UCSD in the first level O-G approach, and I am currently enrolled in the on-line course at the Dyslexia Training Institute (San Diego). I have studied the Wilson materials and have WRS Level I Certification. I have been a classroom teacher in both private and public schools (over 30 years) and I have always had private students; in schools students are tested for learning disabilities and given an IEP (Individualized Educational Program). I have always had a few students in my classes with IEPs and I have worked closely with counselors and experts to develop strategies for teaching dyslexic students. I have had much success teaching students how to read and how to decode words; in addition I have had much success in teaching how to read to learn (which comes into play in the upper elementary grades).

ISEE

Macintosh

I was part of the Apple Vivarium Project under Alan Kay, where I got my first Mac (1984). I’m familiar with ALL of the versions of OS X, from Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks to Yosemite, the current operating system. I can show how to get started with a new Mac or how to get used to a Mac if you started with a PC. I can show how to use the finder, the menu bar, title bar, toolbox, dock and how the graphical interface (drag and drop) works in general. I can get you started with gestures, shortcuts, iPad, iMovie, iPhone as well. I’m familiar with many browsers (Google, Chrome, Firefox etc) and I can get you started using Email and also some of the more popular applications. Obviously, my expertise is with Apple products but I can get you started with other computers as well.

study skills

I created and taught a 4 hour class for parents as part of an Park and & Recreation community outreach. It was called Study Skills: How to help students have success in school. The class was very well received and eventually over 400 parents attended; the feedback was very positive. Study skills have a lot to do with organization, which can be learned. I can teach students to get in the habit of using an assignment book, planning ahead, and using time wisely. Other skills that I emphasize are how to estimate how long it will take to complete each assignment, how to prioritize, how to proofread, and how to predict test questions. I teach effective reading techniques such as SQ3R and how to take class notes.

elementary (k-6th)

phonics

I teach Phonics first by doing some Diagnostics; does the student hear and identify sounds (phonemes)? Can she recognize the "look" of the corresponding letters and patterns (graphemes) that represent them? I start by working on these skills. Then I teach students to decode the words on the printed page by sounding them out, or in phonics terms, blending the sound-spelling patterns. I do believe that the "whole language" approach to reading is important! Reading students good literature and stressing meaning are both important to comprehension. The whole language emphasis on identifying new words using context is crucial. After all, learning to read is not the only goal; I teach students to appreciate language.

elementary science

I have given presentations at national teachers' conferences on teaching elementary science, with or without a lab.

elementary math

ACT Science

I will so some diagnostic evaluations to determine if we need to focus on physics, say, as opposed to biology. There is no penalty for wrong answers; I can give you some general test-taking strategies. I give attention to individual learning styles and specific learning gaps. I will design a schedule for you, including which subjects you feel you are most weak in.

ACT Math

The name and scoring have changed several times since I’ve been teaching. There is no penalty for wrong answers. and I can help you decide which questions to skip. First, I do some diagnostic work and then design a schedule for study. I give attention to individual learning styles.

ecology

I am a Biology major and in my opinion ecology is one of the important branches of biology! It's a course of study in itself (relationship of organisms to one another and to their environment) AND it's also a political movement that seeks to protect the environment, especially from pollution. I tutor this subject with a passion; I'm personally involved in the movement!

microbiology

probability

PSAT

spelling

ACT English

There is a shift away from obscure vocabulary, so the time that used to be spent on memorizing word lists can now be spent on comprehension and meaning. Since there is no penalty for wrong answers, I can give you tips on which questions to answer, which to guess and which type to skip altogether, as well as some general test-taking strategies.

physical science

I'm qualified to teach most high school science classes and the math that goes along with them.

geology

TOEFL

ASVAB

I've helped many students do well on this test! I will do some diagnostic work to reveal any learning gaps you may have and I can teach any concepts you need to learn. I have practice tests and other materials and I can help you with general science, math, work knowledge; what ever you need.

SAT writing

Grammar, spelling, logic, vocabulary and sentence structure are all elements of writing that I can teach. I can teach essay writing, persuasive writing and expository writing. Better readers make better writers; I use examples of writing from literature and journalism. Are you wondering why you should take the SAT? Here is why: Almost all colleges and universities accept the SAT. When compared with a student's GPA, his or her SAT results will confirm the student's readiness for college and taking the SAT might give you the opportunity to access to scholarships and other benefits; doing well allows you to bypass introductory college courses.

GED

Success with ALL students who have studied with me!

SAT reading

I am well qualified to teach all SAT topics, and my students usually do much better than they expected to do. I help with the academics and I also teach general test-taking skills.

world history

My field of study is math and science: the search for patterns and generalizations. I became curious about why certain discoveries happened when; I wanted to know about the sequential development of human knowledge, which led me to the study of World History, which also examines patterns, but specifically common patterns that emerge across all cultures. The diversity of the human experience and the integration of knowledge (how people across time and distance are linked together in search of knowledge) fascinated me. I discovered the that World History is a study of exactly that! I read the Story of Mankind and The Outline of History, which prompted me to take formal classes, and later to teach classes in World History.

literature

I love to read! I have taught many (adults too!) to learn to read. And I've taught many kids the difference between reading and reading LITERATURE. To me, the words of the great writers have the lessons of life set in the language of the heart.

English

anatomy

My undergraduate degree is in Biology and I studied comparative anatomy. In my first year of medical school I studied human anatomy and (like everyone else) dissected a human cadaver.

SAT math

I am an approved tutor in SAT preparation. Are you wondering why you should take the SAT? Here is why: Almost all colleges and universities accept the SAT. When compared with a student's GPA, his or her SAT results will confirm the student's readiness for college and taking the SAT might give you the opportunity to access to scholarships and other benefits; doing well allows you to bypass introductory college courses. The name and scoring have changed several times since I’ve been teaching. The latest changes will be spring 2016: a shift away from obscure vocabulary, and the removal of penalty for wrong answers. I use Khan Academy videos, and I give attention to individual learning styles.

astronomy

Historically, astronomy was an early introduction to science, and sky-watching fascinated me as a child and led to my study in the sciences. Simply put, I have been a long-time student of astronomy and my teaching shows my passion!

geography

I focus on human geography AND physical geography AND Environmental geography, including climate change and pollution and the future of life on earth. Human geography includes history of maps, explorations and migrations and can help explains many of the reasons for wars. Physical geography studies the natural environment, and how organisms, climate, soil, water, and landforms interact. Environmental geography combines the physical and the human geography, and looks at the interactions between the environment and humans! I feel this is very important and I teach it with a passion, because it affects all of us includes the future of life on earth. I can teach study of climate change, extinction, pollution, all current topics.

trigonometry

I've taught Trigonometry for over 30 years, in public high school, in private high school and to groups of teachers in the UCLA teacher-training program. I've presented several times at the annual NCTM conference. I've developed many visuals and manipulatives and models to help students really understand the concepts linking Algebra 2 with Geometry and Trigonometry.

writing

I am very familiar with books that students consider their favorites and I've helped many translate their happy experiences with reading (and being read to) into writing about their own interests. For fiction writing or descriptive writing, I use the well-known "Five Elements of a Story": Setting, Plot, Conflict, Characters and Resolution" for beginning writers. For writing reports, reviews and analyses, I use the Guidelines for Convincing Expositions, among other resources. Most of my experience is with elementary, middle school or high school students and many of my former students tell me that our time together has paid off in their college courses.

grammar

English grammar is based on the Latin; and I have a university minor in Latin! I teach grammar using the beautiful prose of powerful authors so my students are exposed to beautiful, exciting use of the English language, and most of my students develop an increased interest in reading.

European history

geometry

physics

I have a strong math background I tutor physics with solving problems in mind. I've taught HS physics for several years.

prealgebra

precalculus

Pre-Calculus is the beginning of higher math and the foundation for Calculus. I can give you a good solid foundation in the different functions you need to understand. I'm familiar with several computer programs and graphing calculators to help you visualize concepts. I've presented original techniques at many NCTM Conferences.

reading

I am familiar with the entire book lists for schools (both public and private) in the LA area! I'm skilled in the Montessori approaches and have worked with many beginning readers with much success. I use both whole language and phonetics to teach. I can recommend books for all ages; books that will encourage students to WANT to read.

calculus

I have a MS in Mathematics Education and I've taught Calculus in both public and private schools for over 20 years. I also use "Visual Calculus" a book co-authored by Tom Apostol (Caltech math prof. emeritas). I am familiar with most graphing programs as well.

vocabulary

As students progress as readers, vocabulary increases almost automatically; however, for some students, reading alone does not result in increased vocabulary. For those students I usually begin a study of Greek and Latin root words and have them list related words. It's very helpful to have students first read a text carefully, paying attention to unfamiliar words, and try to analyze these as for as the etymology. Those words can be examined with their meanings and spellings in mind. A large vocabulary has two main components; correct spelling and accurate definition(s).I have presented original material at many educational conferences: one of my most successful talks was how to integrate reading across the curriculum. I have an extensive collection of children's literature and I am familiar with the books lists for K-12. Because I love reading, my students often catch my enthusiasm and become eager readers! An eager reader will develop an extensive vocabulary.

biology

I've been teaching high school science classes (Biology, Physics, General Science and Environmental Science at the high school level for years. I've presented at the annual National Science Teachers Conference many times. In college, I ran several labs in Biology as a TA. My Histology, Embryology and Human Anatomy credits are from Medical School.

algebra 1

algebra 2

I have a Master's degree in Mathematics Education from UCLA and I have taught Algebra 2 for over 25 years, in public school and in private school. In addition, I've presented original material at more than 10 NCTM conferences. I've also worked with groups of teachers (professional inservice) teaching them the Common Core approach to mathematics.

American history

I cover all aspects of American History including geological history, indigenous people, early colonization, westward movement and development of democracy and establishment of government. I can also help with recents history and current events (which will become history soon enough).