Tutoring Services

I am able to provide support in the following areas:
  • Elementary Level Mathematics
  • Elementary Level Reading
  • Elementary Level Writing
  • Elementary Level Homework Support (in all subjects)
  • Highschool Level Mathematics
  • Study Skills, Organization, and Time Management
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"WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?"

Your child's success is my number one priority.  I am not just a teacher and tutor, but a creative problem-solver and educational coach.  Under-performing, struggling in school, and completing assignments can be very stressful for most students.  I am approachable, easy-going, knowledgeable, and adaptable.  I can introduce concepts and skills in a way that students can understand.   Every child learns differently and responds differently to different teaching strategies and approaches.  Your child's learning strengths and learning style is taken into consideration.  I can provide meaningful support for students who are:
  • Reluctant Learners
  • ADHD
  • Anxious
  • At Risk of Failure
  • Under-Achieving
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THE RIGHT TUTOR

The right tutor for your child is a rather personal choice.  A tutor that is a good match for one student and family, may not be a good choice for another.  I would be happy to meet with you and your child, answer any of your questions, address any of your concerns, hear what your child is succeeding at and struggling with in school, and let you know how I can help.

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SERVICES

What your child will be doing during their tutoring sessions will depend on your child's needs, priorities, and goals.  Described below are some of the typical ways time can be spent during a one-hour session.  This can remain flexible and vary from week to week depending on what the child needs at that time, or it can be more structured, and agreed upon ahead of time. 

Homework Support
I can offer meaningful support to help students complete homework and assignments.  After a quick assessment of the assignment and what skills are being practiced, I find out from the student what skills and knowledge they already have and what skills require further explanation or practice.  I then focus on explaining, and illustrating those concepts and skills to the child and allow the child to demonstrate their understanding before proceeding.  No two children look at the world the same way or have the same interests, so this process can take time.  I am patient, and able to explain things a number of creative ways using relevant, real, and interesting examples whenever possible.
 
Once they have a grasp of the concepts and skills, students will apply their skills to complete the assignment as independently as possible recieving guidance, further explanations and reminders when needed.  This way, students are completing their own homework (rather than having it done for them), and supports their independence so that they will be able to manage on their own in test situations. 

Not relying too heavily on me to complete assignments is important for laying down a strong foundation to support their future success.  The amount of material covered prior to completing the assignment varies from student to student. Some students will have all of the concepts of an assignment covered prior to completing the assignment as a whole; others will have the material delivered in much smaller chunks will have necessary concepts explained on a question-by-question basis to avoid information overload.  

Individualized Reviews and Pre-views  

I can design mini-lessons and fun and engaging activities that allow students to review and practice specific skills.  Often, struggling students benefit from explanations and lessons presented to them outside of class.  This may be because there are fewer distractions, because it is presented in a way that is more conducive to their learning style, or because it takes them additional exposure and practice to process, internalize, and understand material covered in class.

Depending on your child's needs, the concepts covered can reflect what is currrently being covered in class, what is going to be covered (in order to prepare students for what they will encounter), or specific skills that your child is struggling with (i.e. times-tables, fractions, telling time).

This type of session is often the preferred choice for parents whose children have teachers that do not consistently assign homework, parents with children being homeschooled, or parents who prefer not to have their child completing homework during tutoring sessions in order to maximize "teaching" time.  It is also appropriate for students needing remedial work, students needing to review material previously covered to ensure they maintain gains, students who may benefit from being exposed to material before it is presented in class, or students who need enrichment or an additional challenge. 

Assessments

A complete assessment of your child's reading level can be assessed using the PM Benchmark Assesment Tool.  It takes about an hour, and a detailed summary of the findings is provided.  Other types of assessments can be made available if there is interest.  Please contact me with your specific concerns and we can determine if their is an assessment that is appropriate.  Assessments are used exclusively to gauge current level of competency / grade level, or track progress.

Special Programs

If your child is struggling with reading and/or writing, or has a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, we can discuss whether specialized programs such as Orton-Gillingham or FastForWord are appropriate for your child. 
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RATES

Elementary (Grades 1 to 8)

  •  Private:  $35 per hour
  • Semi-Private (2 students at same grade level):  $20 per hour each
  • Family Rate:  $30 per hour (two or more students in the same family during same semester).
  • Orton-Gillingham:  $35 per hour
  • FastForWord:  Please contact.
  • Referral Rate:  If you refer someone, both you and the person you refer benefit from a reduced hourly rate of $30 per hour.
Highschool

  •  Private:  $40 per hour
  • Semi-Private (2 students at same grade level):  $25 per hour
  • Family Rate:  $35 per hour (two or more students in the same family during same semester)
  • Referral Rate:  If you refer someone, both you and the person you refer benefit from a reduced hourly rate of $35 per hour. 
University
  • 1st Year Calculus:  Availability dependent on interest.  Please contact for rates and availability.
  • Semi-Private:  Availability dependent on interest.  Please contact for rates and availability. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I need to Cancel?
The unexpected happens, and I understand that.  One hour notice via text message is all that I required so that you will not be charged with the session.  Please note that if two weeks of sessions are missed in a row, your child's time slot may be put in jeopardy.  There may be another student waiting for that time slot to become available who is very serious about getting the assistance that they need. 

What Happens if You Need to Cancel? 
If I need to cancel a session for whatever reason, I will let you know via email or text message as soon as I know that I will be unable to be there.  I take my tutoring comitments seriously and missed sessions without ample notice would be an extenuating circumstance.  Every effort will be made to make-up the session as quickly as possible, or, if you choose, the session can be skipped. 

HELP!  A Major Assignment was Just Assigned!  
Emergency (or extra) sessions to complete large assignments or to prepare for exams can sometimes be necessary.  If your child has been receiving the appropriate amount of support over the course of the term, few - if any - emergency sessions may be needed.  However, if you or your child feels they need further support to be prepared for an exam or to complete an assignment, every effort will be made to accommodate you.  As much notice as possible will increase the likelihood that extra sessions can be accommodated, however, even same-day requests for extra tutoring can be accomodated if my schedule permits it.  I do not charge extra for emergency sessions.  Your regular rate will apply.

HELP!  What if I'm Not Currently a Client and a Test is Coming Up? 
Students not currently clients can also schedule emergency sessions to ensure they are prepared for a test, exam, or assignment.  Please note, however, short-notice requests for assignments and tests when I do not know your child or how they learn best does not lend itself to a productive session and I will be unable to accommodate you.   Please provide as much notice as possible to be sure you will not be disappointed.  

I Have a Math Question.  Can you Help? 
I am currently am developing plans to have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions available for video download.  Existing clients will have free access to videos to help between sessions.  Students not currently clients will be able to down-load help from anywhere in the world, either for free or for as little as it costs to download a song from iTunes.  Until it is up and running, you can text me (905) 906-8619 to let me know you have a question, and I will accommodate you if possible, either in-person or via Skype.  Fees will apply.

What is the Pay Schedule?  I am flexible and can accommodate pay-as-you-go, weekly, every two weeks, or monthly pay schedules.  Simply let me know your preference.

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AVAILABILITY

Please contact me for the most up-to-date version of my schedule.

Available Soon:

I am very excited to be launching a "virtual tutor" video series.  Some of the most common high-school level math questions, answers, and explanations will soon be available in video format for download.  Please stay tuned for more information.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Calculus

Interactive Calculus Tool.  An interactive tool to explore graphs of polynomial functions.  Approximate tangent lines, derivitive curves, and areas, then see the result of each.  Modify graphs and parameters as you work to see if you can improve your approximations.