"[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 have worked in many environments: as a private tutor for students in middle school through medical school; as an assistant professor at Penn State and Franklin & Marshall; as a visiting artist in public schools; and as an instructor for lifelong learning and community service programs. Regardless of grade level or skill set, I aim to create a trusting environment where learners gain confidence and accomplish their goals with pride. Adapting my teaching methods to effectively align with individual student learning styles while inspiring self-motivation are my highest priorities and, I believe, my most meaningful contribution to education.
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Tutoring: Areas of Instruction (5th grade through adult)
Creative Writing
Analytical Writing (sentence-, paragraph-, and essay-level)
Inferencing
Textual Analysis/Interpretation of Literature
Research papers/theses
SAT Reading and Grammar sections
ACT English
AP English Language
AP English Literature
Skills Gained (analytical writing)
Verbal expression and synthesis of information
Reading comprehension (imagining, predicting, questioning, associating, summarizing, paraphrasing, inferencing)
Paragraph building (organization of thoughts; topic sentences paragraph unity, coherence, and cohesion; )
Essay construction (thesis sentence for essays that persuade, argue a point, describe an event or scene, narrate, compare or contrast)
Syntax (types of sentences, sentence variation, grammar, punctuation, conventions)
Individual and group courses, as well as camps, are offered in creative writing. For adults, group retreats can be arranged.
Reviews
"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...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 [college composition course] was one of the best classes I have ever seen."
Claude Taylor
Professor of English
City University of NY