Writing the Personal Statement
Baruch College
"[Joanna] exhibited a rare combination of charm and knowledge, and the students responded to her with an energy I'd never seen."
Grace Schulman, Former Distinguished Professor of English, Baruch College/CUNY
Teaching Methods and Philosophy: An Overview
As an award-winning educator and writer, I've worked with neurodiverse students in middle school through graduate school, and have served as an assistant professor at both Penn State and Franklin & Marshall. Regardless of grade level or skill set, I aim to create an environment where learners develop trust in me and in the writing process, gain comfort expressing themselves, and accomplish their academic goals with pride. Adapting my teaching methods to effectively align with individual student learning styles while inspiring confidence and motivation are my highest priorities and I believe my most meaningful contribution to education.
Before tutoring begins, I meet with parents (if desired) to get a full picture of their child's specific needs. I also speak informally with students to gain insight into who they are and what drives them.
Each session includes follow-up summaries of the material covered and progress made, with students and parents encouraged to reach out between sessions for clarification or additional support. Also, all students are provided with a dedicated website where they can access helpful, personalized resources, reminders, and tips at their convenience.
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Tutoring: Areas of Instruction (5th grade through adult)
Reading Comprehension
Inferencing
Textual Analysis/Interpretation of Literature
Essay Writing
Creative Writing
SAT Reading and Writing sections
ACT English
Research Writing
AP English Language
AP English Literature
Skills
Verbal expression and synthesis of information
Reading comprehension (imagining, predicting, questioning, associating, summarizing, paraphrasing, inferencing)
Paragraph building (organization of thoughts; paragraph unity, coherence, and cohesion)
Essay construction (including essays that persuade, argue a point, describe an event or scene, narrate, compare or contrast)
Writing correct sentences (types of sentences, sentence variation, grammar, punctuation, syntax)
Creative Writing!
Private/individually designed courses, retreats, camps. All ages.
"Joanna Goodman has a unique way of inspiring new material, and of encouraging all her students, at all levels of ability and experience."
Linda Miller, Teacher Center Director
Bronxville/Eastchester/Pelham/Tuckahoe Teachers' Consortium
"[Joanna} trusts her instincts with the students and they with her. She creates an atmosphere in her class that encourages and facilitates a real exchange of ideas and feelings...She has a talent to immerse her students in dialogue, actively engaging them in an immediate and real learning process."
William Mclellan
Professor of English
City University of NY
"Ms. Goodman is an exceptionally talented teacher. This [introductory college composition] was one of the best classes I have ever seen."
Claude Taylor
Professor of English
City University of NY