Lyssa D.
Private tutor in Los Angeles, CA
Education
M.A. in English & Theater Education from New York University, GPA 3.97, Graduated 2014 B.A. in Performance Studies from Northwestern University, GPA 3.73, Graduated 2008
Experience
I am a former NYC high school English teacher with over 10 years of experience working with students as a classroom teacher, theater facilitator, tutor, and camp counselor. I'm NY state certified in Secondary English & Theater, and I'm a writer and performer in addition to my work with students. I lived a few different lives before becoming an educator, and I discovered my love of teaching while traveling the world and working on volunteer projects in South Africa, Tanzania, and Nepal. I love working with students of all ages, and I have a special passion for teaching writing (creative, persuasive, expository, college essays) and Shakespeare. I'm happy to help craft and revise academic and creative pieces, from grammar and structuring to flow and personal voice. I also love helping students make meaning from challenging works of literature - I think gaining academic confidence by mastering texts like Shakespeare's is key to future success in school and life. My experience as a classroom teacher also means that I'm well-versed in state standards, academic writing requirements, and common student challenges in reading and writing. And I'm great at helping students get organized and develop strong study skills - sometimes learning how to learn is all a student needs to achieve their goals! I excel at working with both struggling students who need the tools to feel confident expressing their ideas and advanced writers who want to take their work to the next level. My background as a teacher and artist allow me to help with both the nitty-gritty academic skills and getting a student to tap into their creative potential. I believe in providing all students with reliable methods and structures for approaching any task while also identifying and addressing their specific strengths and challenges. I'm definitely not a one-size-fits-all tutor; I think the tools of the trade can be universal, but every reader and writer is unique. My favorite part of this work is getting to know and creating an individualized approach for each student.
Subject Expertise
Essay EditingWritingShakespearePoetry WritingPersuasive WritingLiteratureLiterary AnalysisIntroduction to PoetryIntroduction to FictionGrammar and MechanicsFiction WritingExpository Writing9th Grade WritingEnglishCreative WritingCollege Essays12th Grade Reading12th Grade Writing11th Grade Reading11th Grade Writing10th Grade Reading10th Grade Writing9th Grade Reading
Availability
Any day after 9AM
Can Meet
Up to 1 hour away for a flat fee, Up to 30 minutes away for no additional charge
Hobbies
In addition to my work in education, I am a writer, actor, and director. I'm also an avid world traveler, so I'm always looking to land a new passport stamp. And I'm originally from the Green Mountains of Vermont, so I love exploring the outdoors - hiking, kayaking, or skiing. Otherwise, you can usually find me doing yoga, taking photos, reading in a park, or singing karaoke!
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