Lillie

Certified Tutor

I went to Spelman College (a historically black all women's college) and received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. In December 2017, I will officially receive my Master of Arts degree in Political Science. Following my graduation, I took a position as a full-time teaching fellow in a program called MatchNext at Match Middle School in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. I was responsible for teaching/tutoring two groups of three 5th grade students daily. I was a literacy tutor, so I focused on teaching the material in science, social studies, reading, and grammar/writing. My goals as an instructor were to ensure that students mastered the material for tests and eventually their standardized tests. I personally also wanted them to become more confident in learning and studying material, and I wanted them to grow as young scholars (asking the right questions, analyzing, being open to learning). I have also had experience tutoring and mentoring students grades 1 to 4 in their afterschool work. I love volunteering, and most of my time volunteering was spent as a tutor and mentor, although I have volunteered at a local hospital during high school.
I have learned through my training and working with children that those who succeed in school are not necessarily those who are the "smart" ones. It is those who continuously work hard who make more progress, adapt to failure positively, and master the material with more confidence. I seek to instill in my students that if they work hard on their shortcomings, they will be able to master the material eventually. I also try to have them understand that failure doesn't make them a loser, it just makes them stronger. I usually document my student's progress and take notes to ensure we both know what their strengths and weaknesses are, and we can see their progress.
I am approved to tutor in Political Science (high school, college), Writing, English, Essay Writing, College Application Essays, Adult Literacy, and Social Studies. I most enjoyed tutoring reading and writing to my students, because reading comprehension allows one to open their mind to analyze and critique anything. I loved being able to help my students analyze and question information; that's what helps them become independent learners.
My main hobbies are collecting books and reading, discovering new music, exploring cultural festivals and museums, and sometimes running in the park. I love Japanese culture and language, and I studied abroad in Tokyo for a semester in college. While I worked in Massachusetts, I enjoyed talking to the students about my travels abroad and teaching them random words in Japanese.