Phyllis H.
Private tutor in Affton, MO
Education
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, M.A., summa cum laude, English Literature (1994) Washington University in St. Louis, B.S., Final Honors, Journalism and Communications (1985) Washington University in St. Louis B.A., Dean’s List, English Literature, French minor (1983)
Experience
My passion for English Literature (reading and writing) began early. I was in grammar school when I first learned to scan poetry, write essays, and diagram sentences. After writing my first high school essay, my teachers told me I was ready for college. I waited a few years, earning the highest PSAT and SAT scores in the history of my school and becoming a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, before applying to Washington University in St. Louis. At the age of 17 years, I traded my senior year in high school for my freshman year in college. I earned a B.A. in English Literature and a B.S. with High Honors in Journalism and Communications. After working as a journalist (and winning nationwide awards in news- and feature-writing), I decided to attend graduate school at Rutgers University, where I earned an M.A. summa cum laude in English Literature. Between that time and this, my passion has never waned; I enjoy my field so much that I have dedicated my entire career to it. I have taught English Literature and SAT prep to high school students and English Composition to college students. Whether working as a teacher or working as a writer, copy-editor, and proofreader, I have tutored individuals privately throughout my career. I also have mentored my staffs of writers in the jobs I have had as a writer and copy-editor in the fields of finance (including jobs at Bank of America and Wells Fargo Advisors) and medicine (jobs at Elsevier and Pfizer). Sharing the knowledge I have accrued brings me fulfillment and a joy that I try to instill in my students during each session. My tutoring style is to listen first and shape my teaching methods and the content to my students’ needs. For example, if a student requests help with an essay assignment, I may recount my writing process, which includes brainstorming, prewriting, and revising again and again. I also try to be silent periodically, to give my students the time to think and prepare, as well as ask questions. I also am not afraid to be “wrong” or not know the answer. These instances allow students to be wrong without shame and for me to illustrate how to find the “right” answer. My goal always is to demonstrate and guide, giving my students the tools and self-confidence to work independently and well into the future. While working at companies and running my own business as a writer and copy-editor, I garnered multiple achievements and awards. Here is a partial list: --One of three primary writers/editors for the WomanSource Catalog and Review, a 505-page catalog-style book published by Ten Speed Press/Celestial Arts Press, Berkeley, CA; the book was named a Feature Selection in the Book of the Month's Quality Paperback Book Club —While running my own business (working as an independent contractor), I never went a day without work for 5 years —A 6-day assignment onsite as Senior Writer at Wells Fargo Advisors was extended to 18 months, the company’s legal time limit for temporary employees; offered a full-time position several times —Employment as Science Writer at Pfizer enabled the St. Louis site’s Intranet magazine to be established —Commissioned by the Elsevier eBooks Division to develop the "Global Style Guide for Evolve Online Courses," which established consistent style guidelines for staff and freelancers —Copy-editor of landmark textbook, "Essentials of Cultural Competence in Pharmacy Practice," the industry’s first book focusing on culturally diverse patient populations and alternative, homeopathic healthcare —Developed marketing program for Bank of America to support the sales force; program became a firm “best practice” after it successfully attracted new ultra-high-net-worth clients —Invited by the United Way to present a seminar for nonprofit organizations —Awarded Rutgers University Fellowship and Teaching Assistantship
Subject Expertise
ReadingIntroduction to PoetryJournalismLiterary AnalysisLiteraturePCAT Verbal AbilityPCAT WritingPersuasive WritingPSAT Critical ReadingPSAT Writing SkillsIntroduction to FictionSATSAT Critical ReadingSAT VerbalSAT WritingSummer TutoringTest PrepVocabularyWritingAP English Language and Composition11th Grade Reading11th Grade Writing12th Grade Reading12th Grade WritingACT EnglishACT with WritingACT WritingAdvanced PlacementAP English Literature and CompositionBritish LiteratureCollege EssaysEnglishEssay EditingExpository WritingGRE VerbalGRE Verbal Reasoning
Availability
Weekdays after 9AM, Weekends after 9AM
Can Meet
Up to 5 minutes away for no additional charge
Hobbies
My hobbies include reading, creative writing, and volunteering. I volunteer to assist the local chapter of the Sierra Club by providing materials for quarterly newsletters, helping conduct membership drives, and contacting members about upcoming events. I also am affiliated with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), a national patient advocacy group; served as the St. Louis Affiliate Media Coordinator, wrote press releases, stories for media outlets and for the group’s website, and designed promotional materials for fundraisers. I was a peer tutor for algebra while in high school and tutored reading to low-income adolescents through a United Way program while in college.
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