First and foremost, I am a lifelong student of history. From an early age, I have excelled in advanced placement history and civics classes, developing a particular interest in the medieval era and... the 19th century, along with appreciating obscure or 'weird' history not typically learned in usual study. Though I achieved a BA in the English language arts, I minored in history because the two disciplines are especially and logically linked. Over the years as a teacher/trainer, I have used my history and ELA experience to help students of all ages use related skills--particularly analysis critical thinking--to excel in their academic or career endeavors. For the last decade, I've homeschooled/world schooled my two daughters in history, civics and English. My eldest daughter recently received her high school diploma (and a 4.1 GPA) from an accredited institution, and will be attending film school in the UK in the fall. While my specialty is literary analysis, this aspect is readily applied to historical analysis as well. Compare/contrast, synthesis or expository essays are critical parts of historical study, and I always employ them when tutoring history to help students understand trends or events. I currently work online as an English and history tutor, an academic learning coach, and an ELA teacher. Through other platforms, I teach long term and 'mini' classes in general and era specific history (particularly weird/'horrible' history and pop culture), essay/critical analysis writing and literary genre studies. Ultimately, I'm devoted to tutoring and teaching history because it allows me to share this passion with other like-minded students...read more

I have a deep love for the humanities, particularly literature and history. Though I enjoy learning about and sharing all subjects of both disciplines, I'm especially fond of Gothic and supernatural ... literature, 19th century and Edwardian authors, and the Roman/Byzantine, medieval and Enlightenment eras. I also appreciate sharing "hidden history" or "facts off-the-beaten path"--strange, obscure but very interesting information not usually taught or known. Via a BA in English Language Arts and TEFL/TESOL certification, I possess over twenty-five years experience teaching/training adolescents and adults in classrooms and online, in both the corporate and civil service fields. Subjects of instruction have included everything from literature, creative writing, reading and lesson planning to infant care, small animal husbandry and unclaimed property management. I currently work online as an English teacher, an academic/learning coach, and as an English and history tutor. My tutoring philosophy and methodology involves "Socratic flexibility"--frequently probing student knowledge bases, insights and observations through frequent questions, and helping to expand their comprehension by utilizing modes beyond basic rote learning. I also employ an interdisciplinary approach when teaching; it's not just about analyzing a poem, it's also about considering the current events, culture and life experiences affecting the author. I LOVE tutoring (and teaching) because I get to share my interests and experience with like-minded people of all ages. Too, I enjoy those "Aha!" moments--seeing the lightbulb go off when students grasp complex or difficult topics. Most of all, I appreciate learning as much from my students as I hope they learn from me. Though originally from the US, my family and I are world travellers, and we'd visited 46 countries prior to settling down in Portugal. And, I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a HUGE Star Trek, Star Wars and superhero geek...read more