Michael R.
Private tutor in Austin, TX
Education
BA in Classics from Baylor University with Minor in Philosophy, Cum Laude 2008. MH/MA with a concentration in Classics from the University of Dallas, Cum Laude 2012. Texas Standard Certified Classroom Teacher, 2015-2021. Highly Qualified in Latin 6-12 and ESL 154. TEFL Online Certified in 2013 with 120 hours. Certificate A1Level Italian language from Sant'Anna Institute Sorrento Lingue, 2013. Paidea Institute Latin Teacher Workshop at Baylor University, February 2017. McIntire Business Institute Certificate with Honors in Business Fundamentals (Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Management) from University of Virginia Online, 2015.
Experience
I’m constantly curious about the cultures and languages of the ancient world -- especially language learning in general -- and why Classical ideas have been so important for traditional education. Every student deserves the chance to explore past civilizations. If a student is struggling to grasp Latin, I don’t want to see them give up. Because of this, I’m inspired to be a tutor that gives practical help to students. I want to be their guide to access the perennial ideas expressed in classical languages. With my deep love of Classics (or Humanities) and with my specialized knowledge I can make the structure of the Latin language clearer to students. While teaching Latin at all levels at various college preparatory and public schools in Texas, I tutored many middle and high school students. I’m used to my 8th grade students asking me for help with conjugations and declensions when they found it totally confusing. I often helped them to complete assignments. I’ve also guided AP Latin students through difficult translations of Caesar’s Bello Gallico this year. In my earlier experiences I worked as a volunteer briefly with students in Hungary at an English language camp in 2003, and later I worked one-on-one in English conversations with Italian university students in Sorrento over the summer of 2013. A variety of textbooks have been used in schools but the structure of Latin is the same. The way I guide students is to break down each part of the language and reassemble it step by step in an understandable way. Then each part of the language becomes simpler. From this foundation we can build up to more complex sentences as students grow more confident and they achieve success. It’s my job to know why Latin is confusing to students. So I embrace the responsibility of student learning. I look for why there are struggles and where to target specific challenges that need to be gradually stretched and rebuilt without stress, burdensome homework or being put on the spot. I apply this way also to English learners who want to get a grasp of conversational style of English. I encourage students to take the time to think through the language slowly. All of this is important in the process and it requires some attention to details that I bring out for them. Communication is the key to dissecting Latin. This learning process helps students to stay motivated when they see how the language works. This is why I do not -- unless a student asks for it -- focus on memorization charts or rote pneumonic devices, although these have some value and are often part of homework. Vocabulary, scansion skills, historical facts come with time and practice. I believe the structure sticks after we go through the building blocks of any language. I value the feedback of students and parents so that I can become a better tutor. I look forward to meeting with you!
Availability
Weekdays at any time
Can Meet
Up to 45 minutes away at my regular hourly rate
Hobbies
Foreign Languages: Hungarian, Russian, Italian, Spanish Second Language Acquisition Methods Hiking Homeschooling & Alternative Education Farmers Markets New Testament Koine Greek Philosophy Latin poetry: Horace, Virgil, Love Poets Homeric Epics Indo-European languages Pre-History of Europe in Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age Etruscans, Minoans & Pre-Greek Aegean Civilizations
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