Claire

Certified Tutor

I am a credentialed teacher with ten years of experience. I have an M.A. in Teaching from USC (Multiple Subject/K-6) and a B.A. in Music from Pomona College. I have taught individual and group violin lessons from age 3 to adults throughout L.A., and I have taught general music in the Lawndale School District and at YOLA (Youth Orchestra L.A.) at HOLA (Heart of LA youth center in the Rampart District). I student-taught in general elementary school classrooms (2nd and 5th grade), and have tutored students at YOLA.

No matter what the subject, my focus has always been on finding the unique strengths of each individual student, and building on those strengths to approach areas of struggle. I enjoy working with students with diverse learning styles and discovering the unique ways each student takes in and understands information. I firmly believe that everyone is smart in their own way, and I love to discover and appreciate each student's way of learning and thinking. I believe that we all construct our own knowledge through experience - we learn by doing, by experimenting, trying, and experiencing - and I encourage my students to try out and adjust their own strategies, instead of always expecting them to do it my way.

I am an artist, writer and musician (I led a folk band for 5 years). I am an avid public transit rider and often get around by bicycle. I enjoy gardening and I am passionate about building community.