As a tutor, I would aim to empower my students as much as possible to find answers for themselves. If you’re merely told the information, you don’t retain half as much as if you searched for the answer yourself. My job is to help them develop the skills to ask the right questions and look for the answer in an effective way. The “sage on stage” is no longer appropriate in today’s educational climate. Students need stimulating and innovative new teaching techniques (through technology or otherwise) to flourish.

I have a Masters of Arts in English and an Honors Bachelor of Arts in English from McMaster University. In addition to English, I have a background in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Two years of my undergraduate studies were at Western University, where my main focus was English and Comparative Literature.

As part as the Masters program, I was employed as a teaching assistant. In this role, my responsibilities included teaching Canadian Literature to second-year students, evaluating, providing guidance and feedback of students’ written assignments with regard to grammar, sentence structure, writing mechanics, format and style, as well as argument cogency and development of theses within assignments. I was available for weekly office hours/appointments, in addition to email communication with students. Email communication was the preferred method of contact for most students, and I was always prompt and thorough in my replies.

At Western University, I was involved in two different dramatic societies, one in which I was a member of the Executive Team, in addition to writing and directing sketch comedy, and the other where I participated in improvisational comedy. During Orientation Week 2010, I worked as a Welcome Representative, planning, promoting, and organizing events, as well as helping new students adjust to university life. I also was on the Residence Events Planning Committee.

At McMaster, I was on the Quizbowl Team, which competes in academic and pop culture trivia. In my spare time, I write a literature-focused blog.