Don
Retired Teacher Helps with Reading, Writing, and Other Skills
I currently reside in Lexington, Virginia. I retired (November 2012) as a full-time professionally certified teacher in South Carolina. My endorsement areas on my teaching certificate are Art HQ (K-12) and special education-emotionally disabled HQ (K-12). I have a master's degree plus thirty hours. My professional license was renewed July 1, 2012 and will expire June 30, 2017. I have most recently starting tutoring students from all over the country online. I have taught all grade levels in...
social studies
special needs
ADHD
ADD/ADHD
My experience in education and mental health provided opportunities to deal with all types of student behavior. I have tutored students diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. I have taught students who are ADD/ADHD in special education classes. The key to helping these students is to keep them on the task. They are easily distracted. They tend to get off task talking about their interests or tangents unrelated to the subject. They require continuous redirection to focus again on the lesson. Providing them with extra time to complete the task is required. Managing their attention requires significant patience. Providing lessons and activities that require them to manipulate items, and to move about is helpful. As a tutor I provide differentiated instruction that meets the needs of the individual. Because of their short attention span, I am constantly challenged to be inventive and flexible in order to help them become more efficient learners.
study skills
spelling
elementary (k-6th)
ASVAB
One of my tutoring areas is Study Skills that includes test-taking strategies. I recommend exam practice material that will guide the student through our sessions. I have a broad academic background which enables me to provide insight on how to answer the test questions which are exclusively multiple-choice questions. I coach the student how to understand and analyze the structure of the question through all aspects, to allocate time during the test for each question, to determine the best probable answer, and to improve his/her odds of guessing correctly. I provide instruction on improving vocabulary and reading comprehension. We rehearse for the exam by taking actual practice tests from the numerous study materials available.
proofreading
geology
geography
English
literature
world history
vocabulary
grammar
reading
writing
American history
Jessica S. from Barnwell, SC
Don is simply great he's so patient and caring with my daughter he has turned her into a proud reader. He is always on time and well prepared and my daughter loves his way of teaching and how he finds out what she is interested in and turns it into her way of learning. He's been a blessing.
Samantha M. from Orangeburg, SC
I was hesitant to find a tutor online, but Don has been such a blessing to my daughter and our family. He meets with her twice a week. The assistance alleviates a lot of pressure on my husband and me because she is getting professional assistance with homework. He also helps her prepare for weekly tests. The first nine weeks, she did not make the honor roll. However, since Don has been tutoring her, she has consistently made better grades and has made the honor roll. He is very patient with her and she feels comfortable with him and looks forward to the tutoring.
Micheal K. from Orangeburg, SC
Don is the best tutor that I have ever had. He is patient and understanding. Don has vast knowledge of the English subject! He is the best!
Tamara B. from Denmark, SC
Don is simply amazing. I searched long and hard to find someone that would connect with my son, who is a fourth grader. My son needed assistance in math but he is getting so much more. Don covers every aspect of education while focusing on math concepts. From sentence structure, and punctuation to how to perform multiple steps in word problems. I am very pleased with the progress they are making working together. I would recommend Don to anyone who needs help. He truly has the patience of Job. We will be working with Don for the remainder of the school year and if possible the summer as well.
Lisa A. from Orangeburg, SC
Don has provided the structure, discipline, support and encouragement that my son needs to meet his academic goals. He reviews assignments and papers, offers supplemental materials, and strengthens study skills. He pushes my son when he needs pushing and encourages him when he's frustrated. I am very grateful for the academic support that Don offers my son.
Carol M. from Aiken, SC
We have had 4 or 5 tutoring sessions with Don for our 9 year-old son. Don has developed a good rapport with our our son and has come up with some creative ways to keep him engaged in learning despite his ADHD. He has rented books from the library to augment what our son in learning in class, and is working with him to teach him studying techniques. My son enjoys his company enough to sit still for most of the sessions and has already made some gains with several of his school subjects.
Cecelie K. from Orangeburg, SC
Mr. Don was very helpful in editing and making suggestions on my college essays. I was under very limited time to work on the essays, but Mr. Don was very patient in my stressful situation. I was able to complete all 7 essay supplements just in time for the deadline with his help!
Ui-Jung Y. from Iowa City, IA
Don is a good teacher who understands what students want to learn and get, and very flexible and is ready to try to help and do his best. I am so satisfied with him. I recommend him for another student!
Eva G. from Bamberg, SC
Our 9 year old son liked the first session so much, he asked if Mr Don could meet with him every day!
Brian R. from Trenton, MI
So far so good. Don was very professional and caring. He spent a great deal of time getting to know how my 12 year daughter thinks and learns so he can really capture her attention during lessons. My daughter felt very comfortable dealing with Don during the online session and she told me she looks forward to her next session.
Edyta Z. from Chicago, IL
Don M. taught me a useful reading comprehension test taking strategy that helped me with questions that involved reading comprehension that I didn't hear about before.
Xavier C. from Houston, TX
Don is really patient with my daughter and is adapting his pace to suit her needs. He has quickly grasped her strengths and weaknesses and he is spending the right amount of time on both. My daughter is really enjoying her class.
Donna B. from Lexington, SC
Don got started right away by asking questions that engaged my son and kept him interested. My son REALLY doesn't enjoy school or past tutors, but after his first lesson with Don, he smiled big and said "It was great."
Jason C. from Bamberg, SC
Don M started helping my boy today. He seems very excited about his lessons. He is already for his next lesson . Thanks.
Bong Woo K. from Iowa City, IA
Don is a good teacher who understands what students want to learn and get, and very flexible and is ready to try to help and do his best. I am so satisfied with him. I recommend him for another student!