English/Composition Tutors in Santa Cruz, CA

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Jamie Z.

Private tutor in Santa Cruz, CA

Education

Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz April 2003. Completed extensive coursework in sociology, psychology, written and non-verbal communications while completing BA. In addition, while attending UC Santa Cruz, received consistent outstanding grades and recognition for written coursework and composition from numerous professors and teaching assistants. * Graduated with Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from De Anza College in Cupertino, CA in Spring 1999, and was inducted into Honor Society in each consecutive quarter while in attendance. * Graduated with High Honors from Saint Francis High School, Mountain View CA May 1997, completing AP level English / Composition; Mathematics (Calculus); and Biology. - Scored 1460 on SAT in 1996. Achieved perfect score of 800 in English, and 660 in Mathematics.

Experience

During high school, I tutored extensively in the subjects of English composition, writing, as well as basic math skills to students varying in ages from elementary students to middle school. As I started my first quarter at De Anza College in 1997, I began assisting students in my distance writing classes who were English as a Second Language students, and having some difficulty with the material. I have always enjoyed helping others a great deal, and especially enjoy tutoring my favorite subject: writing, usually for an English composition-style class. While I enjoyed working with the ESL students at De Anza very much, I eventually branched out and began tutoring any students who felt they could use a helping hand in their English composition and writing classes. I have a special affinity for helping students improve their writing skills, vocabulary, spelling, most of all I hope that I can help my students feel the joy and satisfaction of creating a strong, well-written passage or paper that has an impact on the reader, and may even serve to help teach or inform the opinion of the audience. -

Subject Expertise

English/Composition, Writing, Psychology

Availability

Weekdays, Weekends

Can Meet

Up to 15 minutes away for no additional charge

Hobbies

I have always loved both reading and writing, and I have never been happier than when I can help someone find that they, too, are a writer at heart, and can also take great joy in the written word. While, yes, I admit that this does sound rather cliched, I have learned from years of experience that once a student feels fully comfortable with their writing skills, they will very often develop a depth and breadth of self-expression and creative ideas that might have been previously unimaginable. My happiness is helping students find that joy that lives in reading and writing; that special feeling that a writer gets when realizing that he or she has just discovered that ONE special, magical word, the one that says EXACTLY what one wishes to express! Then, that incredible and unmatched sensation that a student can feel when writing a piece that truly speaks from the heart; something that truly validates each and every person, but especially our young people. And let's not forget, that incredible sense of adventure that comes from using the imagination of creative writing: the wonder of creating, all on one's own, a new world with new people who have never before existed, and the excitement of sharing those creations with one's readers. I love to read and easily lose hours in a book before I notice the time has quickly run away with me! I enjoy a variety of genres, ranging from fantasy and horror to non-fiction memoirs, philosophy, and modern psychological studies. I find a literary "diet" consisting of portions from the fantastical, fictionalized, and mystical side of the plate, alternating with servings of scientific or historical books, memoirs, or reference reading, helps keep me a bit more balanced... but that's just me. To each their own, and as long as they enjoy what they are reading and writing, they have my support always! I try to keep up with many of the sociological topics that I still find fascinating after all this time, but my own limited free time necessitates that the list of books that I keep on hand at any given time not be nearly as extensive as I might like! In addition, when time allows I continue to write and keep extensive personal journals. My free time is mostly spent, however, with my beloved husband and two dogs, who are truly my "furry kids". I cannot imagine my life without any of them and we frequently take family trips to an off-leash dog beach that is walking distance from our home. I would love to meet with you or your student and discuss how I might be able to help them bring out their own literary gifts... please don't hesitate to contact me at any time with questions or requests for any additional information! :-) I am more than happy to do whatever I can to help any student in the pursuit of a successful and enjoyable experience in writing and reading! Hope to hear from you very soon, and enjoy your day!