Matthew

Certified Tutor

I graduated from MTSU with a B.A. in English and a minor in Religion. I tutored at the University Writing Center there, working with writers of all backgrounds and levels of experience. Typically, I saw a string of writers with little time to engage with them as individuals, so Im especially happy about having the opportunity to engage with students on a more substantive level. Im a creative writer who has worked on the staffs of multiple literary journals, and I always try to bring that creative perspective of language to my sessions, whether in my interactions with students or in my lesson plans. First, regardless of the subject, well look at the patterns present in the material, and then, well work our way into understanding the conceptual bases of the subjects at large. Tutoring should always be a collaborative effort that encompasses a way of learning beyond any particular subject. By the end of our sessions together, I hope that you will have learned how to teach yourself; fostering that sense of independence is my main goal.

Even though I specialize in material geared toward the English language, the humanities, and the social sciences, I have a background in natural scienceecology and microbiologyand have done a fair amount of basic research in those areas. I am always happy to return to those roots with you! I work from multiple frameworks that adapt to not only each individual student, but also their progress and its ever-changing trajectories. Rather than relying on visual learning, which I myself tend to do, I try to connect the visual with the verbal in order to tune eyes and ears to the metaphors that are the basis of any subject. In my spare time, I write poetry, so I highly value fluidity and dynamism in all aspects of education. Because of my love for understanding the aural/verbal styles of learning, I tend to work well with multilingual students and others who are revisiting the process of learning and loving English!

My academic background: After high school, I attended UT-Knoxville on a full-ride as a member of their Scholars Program. Overall, I was very successful with my college applications and can help you with all aspects of that process. Admittedly, I changed my major many, many times, but that journey has led me to my love of writing and a wealth of knowledge from diverse areas and subjects! My specialties include poetry and drama; definitely contact me if youre doing either!