Eric

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Eric is an energetic English and public speaking tutor who brings humor, heart, and decades of experience to every class. A former television journalist with a BA in Journalism and dual TEFL certificates, he helps learners become confident communicators through debate, discussion, and storytelling. He teaches students from elementary to adult, focusing on critical thinking, clear writing, and poised delivery. Sessions are structured, engaging, and supportive so students grow in skill and self-belief. Off the clock, Eric enjoys life in Florida with his wife and celebrates his daughter’s medical career.

Mondays: 9 am - 1 pm and 6 pm - 10 pm Eastern Standard Time
Tuesdays: 9 am - 1 pm and 6 pm - 10 pm Eastern Standard Time
Wednesdays: 9 am - 1 pm and 6 pm - 10 pm Eastern Standard Time
Thursdays: 9 am - 1 pm and 6 pm - 10 pm Eastern Standard Time
Fridays: 9 am - 1 pm
Saturdays: No availability
Sundays: No availability

My approach to teaching is to keep it real, have fun and being professional... all at the same time! We've heard this a thousand times, but it's true: every student is different, unique, and deserves individual attention no matter what size the class. I am patient, consistent and enthusiastic to a fault, and just love what I do,.. and it shows.

I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in Journalism, and have two TEFL certificates: one for 40 hours, the other for 120 hours.

I've tutored what were young students at the time (nine years old, more or less), all of them being the children of VERY good friends of mine. I tutored them in American History, debate and public speaking, and it was such an incredible experience because not only was I helping shape young minds, but they were students that I'd watched grow up since they were babies (two of the families are still neighbors of mine, their kids of course having left the house years ago). That brings a whole new type of enjoyment into the experience because you're working with children who know you and respect you, and all of them have gone on to do amazing things with their lives (they're about my daughter's age, 35, give or take). It brings a whole new perspective into tutoring because you've already formed a bond with these kids while they were growing up, and that just adds an extra bit of 'amazing' to the whole thing.

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Eric
$149.00 USD

Subject Expertise

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American Goverment
American Goverment
Black History
Black History
Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creativity
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Early Learning
Early Learning
ELA
ELA
ESL
ESL
Ethics
Ethics
Handwriting
Handwriting
History
History
Humanities
Humanities
Life Skills
Life Skills
Psychology
Psychology
Public Speaking
Public Speaking

My mission

I'm inspired to tutor because there's nothing that brings me more happiness than watching someone learn. Period. It's obviously a process that oftentimes involves a great deal of time, but ALL of us are in it for the long-run, and helping someone to learn and to question things and to walk away with a new sense of purpose is beyond amazing.

My Story

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and have lived in Florida for 40 years. I've been married to an amazing woman named Carla since 1987, and Carla has made an excellent and financially rewarding career out of writing children's books. Our daughter Gina lives and works about a half-hour from us, and is a neurosurgeon who's been married since 2020. I became a teacher for the simple fact that my life in the news business had me away from home MUCH too often, and I didn't want to miss my daughter growing up... and it's a choice that I've never regretted, even for an instant. I love what I do, and can't think of anything else that I'd rather be doing. My sister Sarah is an international attorney living in Malibu, California, and her daughter Eva is a commercial pilot (captain!) for Delta Airlines.

Cognitive Diversity

How I adapt to students with diverse intellectual needs.

As I've mentioned before, each and every student is different and requires different levels of attention, and that's certainly been the case with my having worked with students with ADHD. I've of course always used very engaging methods of tutoring, of course providing structure and, above all, routine. Multi-sensory activities always work break, and my positive reinforcement and emotional support is REAL: I don't like faking it with anyone, be it in a classroom or with friends at work.The sessions are student-centered, and building their confidence is what I do best. Now, I've been teaching six gifted Chinese-American students online now for a little more than three years (they're seventh graders with the knowledge and outgoingness that rivals ANY adult), and our focus has always been public speaking and debate. And WOW OH WOW, have these six junior-highers come such a long way! My sessions put a strong emphasis on critical thinking skills, and every week they have a public presentation or debate topic to present to myself and the rest of the class. These six students have gained SUCH confidence, and as I've told them time and time again, whatever they decide to do later in life, the world will someday know their names.

My experiences working with gifted students (I still am, online) revolves around challenges aside from academics, such as overcoming perfectionism and just finding an overall sense of purpose. I've found that working with such children is really less about imparting knowledge than it is basically exploring their sense of purpose in this crazy world of ours. I've always loved helping these students to apply their gifts in ways that MEAN something to them... always a challenge that I love to encounter!

I've worked with several students with ADHD, and I've always thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. I always have a set formula that works wonders: a structured environment that's completely free of distractions (as are all my classes, regardless of the student) and one that fosters clear expectations and clear routines. I'm really big on visual aids, and I REALLY focus on keeping the students engaged throughout the entire session. Giving and following instructions is paramount, as is building their self-esteem. This last one is super important for me: I am NOTHING if not patient, and I let them know that I believe in them and everything that they do and want to do.

Eric Sample Lesson

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