Elijah

Certified Tutor

I received an MFA from Harvard, a double BA from the University of California, Berkeley, graduating Summa Cum Laude at both schools. At Harvard I studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater/Moscow Art Theater Institute, and at Cal I studied English as well as Theater & Performance Studies, receiving scholarships in both departments, including the Departmental Citation (highest honor) for my honors thesis and production of Poet Laureate Robert Hass's "Time and Materials".

As a tutor, I have worked for six years helping students with all SAT sections as well as English language and writing skills. I spent several years working as a Writing tutor at UC Berkeley's Student Learning Center, where I helped both long-term and drop-in college students with all sorts of writing help, including essays (literary, scientific, critical, sociological), applications and admissions statements, and creative writing. My last year there, I served as Senior Tutor, engaging with other tutors and mentoring new tutors to discuss and enact unique teaching pedagogies.

In addition to the SAT and Writing, I tutor PSAT, basic Spanish, AP English, College Essays, voice and speech, Grammar, and Reading Comprehension. I love tutoring! It is hard to pick a favorite subject, but I have a special place in my heart for the art of writing - the sharing of a story, the power of an argument, or the creation of a world from a special perspective. I have worked with kids in 3rd and 4th grade through middle school, high school students (academic and pre-college focuses), and adults of all ages learning English, working on speech, or developing Reading and Writing skills. Additionally, I am fluent in Spanish and have tutored Spanish speakers.

I firmly believe that students are not mere vessels for knowledge, but rather human beings with individual goals, hopes, and dreams. These are integral to their academic and pre-college work, since excellent work derives from one's sense of self, motivation, and experience. To this end, I always engage with students as collaborators. I work with them to develop "Sarah's SAT Prep Plan" or "Mike's Writing Workshop", as opposed to just a general course of study meant for anyone. Identifying specific problems and moving toward strong goals, I make sure students achieve changes that they can understand and internalize. Improvement is wonderful, but if students also know WHY a skill or approach is important, they will keep it with them for life.

The artist's life is my bread and butter. I am a TV, film, and stage actor, and piano, trumpet, and guitar-player, and longtime creative writer. In regards to writing, nothing has been more educational and fulfilling than having my work published and produced. I used to run track and cross-country, but I am a little rusty these days. I like ballroom dancing, reciting Shakespeare, discussing films and plays, writing musical theatre, and singing. I enjoy good food, especially pasta, "Mad Men" (really, anything vintage), and New York City! As a tutor, I look forward to sharing my passion for life and learning with you!