As a non-traditional student who returned to college at the age of 36 and graduated Summa cum Laude and went on to take a Master's degree, I appreciate the value of a good education more than most. High school and college level writing is often the most challenging of tasks facing students, so I teach these from the point of view of clear communication. We start with simple assignments and build grade A papers through multiple drafts and careful construction - thesis paragraph, context, support and evidence, conclusion.
By breaking each of these components down to their simplest form, composition writing (for literature or non-fiction or any topic) becomes easier, as the student realizes that errors are the way to learn and mistakes are the best path to great grades.
In the end, the student learns that he or she can writing clearly and persuasively about any topic. Writing becomes a powerful tool in their quest for success in school.
After many years in the work force, I returned to Worcester State College and obtained my BA in English, then went on to take my Master's at the University of Connecticut. I then taught high school English for eight years at Wachusett High School and taught as an adjunct at Worcester State and at UConn.
In high school, I taught hundreds of students all levels of English and literature, from Grade 9 through Grade 12. My focus on composition, with its emphasis on multiple drafts and gradual improvement through learning from one's mistakes, resulted in high scores for my students in standardized tests focusing on writing.
In addition, my students studied everything from poetry, non-fiction, creative writing to the classics and modern works. Our work together prepared them well for their academic careers ahead.
Teaching Experience:
Kumon Learning Center, Worcester, MA. 2012 – 2014
I worked part-time aiding students in math and English as part of the after-school Kumon program. I worked with all ages, from 1st grade through high school.
Wachusett Regional High School, Holden, MA. 2001 - 2009
I retired as an English teacher at Wachusett H.S.
Worcester State College – Spring, 2001:
During the spring 2001 semester, I was employed in the Languages and Literature Department of Worcester State College, teaching the following courses:
• English 102 – English Composition II (Two sections)
• English 324 – Continental Novelists I
University of Connecticut – Fall, 2000:
I was employed as an adjunct professor during the fall semester, 2000, teaching two sections of English 109 - Literature and Composition. I feel that I have been extremely successful in instilling good writing skills and encouraging critical thought in my freshman students. My evaluations have consistently been among the best in the English department at the University of Connecticut.
University of Connecticut – Spring, 1998 to Spring, 2000:
While completing my Master’s degree at the University of Connecticut, I worked as a graduate teacher, teaching the following courses:
• English 105 - Freshman Composition (Two semesters – two sections per semester)
• English 109 - Literature and Composition (Two semesters– two sections per semester)
Other Teaching Experience:
In 1998, I worked as a senior lab assistant for a computer-assisted journalism course conducted by Doctor Robert Walker, chairman of the English Department at Worcester State.
Working in the Writing Center at Worcester State College (1997-8), I tutored other students on various aspects of composition, from brainstorming ideas to dealing with matters of punctuation, syntax, proofreading, outline creation and formatting. I was considered one of the best writing tutors in the department and was often recommended by professors to other students who needed help with their writing tasks.
Honors and Awards:
• Irving Agard Memorial Award for highest GPA in the Junior Class (1997), presented by Worcester State College.
• Academic Major Achievement Award (1998), presented by Worcester State College.
• Member, Lambda Iota Tau, the English Language Honor Society (1998)
• Member, Psi Chi, the Psychology Honor Society (1998)
• Member, Phi Eta Sigma, National Honor Society (1998)
Paper Presented:
"The Impact of Darwin's Theories on Victorian Religious Attitudes." Fourth Annual Conference on Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, Creative and Public Service Activities. Boston, MA. May 14, 1998.
Teaching Philosophy:
I believe that the most important gift a teacher can give to a student is to encourage their creativity, imagination and belief in their own work. As a teacher, I must act as much as a facilitator as an instructor, instilling in my students the understanding that the work the students produce is a reflection of themselves, that it belongs to the students, not to me. The teacher acts not so much as a well of knowledge as a conduit of knowledge, for true growth comes out of the students’ minds and hearts.
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