Catherine Simpson

Tutoring Philosophy

I believe that storytelling is an innate ability of all people, and that many students who struggle with writing at school actually have the most potential as writers. Somehow the joy of getting one’s experience down on the page gets lost in the technicalities of fulfilling a particular teacher’s expectations. Good writing goes outside expectations, does not complete the assignment as asked, and is, essentially, surprising—just like many students who struggle in their writing classes.

That’s why I believe that a writing coach is so important: she is able to separate writing from a scholastic environment, and allow the students to see themselves as writers. Writing scholastically is one aspect of writing, an aspect that follows certain paradigms that anyone can follow. Once the student is given the freedom to think creatively about their work, the discipline of crafting excellent essays becomes manageable.

Similarly, I believe that the problem that most students have with reading at the highest level is that true critical reading requires a degree of irreverence that is antithetical to the classroom environment—especially at the pre-collegiate level. You can’t look at great novels as sacred cows when you’re examining the devices, intentions, and flaws of their authors. You have be given permission to deconstruct their methods, not merely admire the whole.

My method involves allowing students the freedom to express their creative voice and their true opinions of literary works, and then introducing the methods that will allow them to discipline their craft and abilities. My ideal outcome is that writing and reading become a natural outlet for students, and that their ease with these skills is then reflected in their grades, standardized tests, and college essays.

Resume

Row Club, May 2017–Present, Freelance Copywriter

PLY Leggings, Apr 2017–Present, Freelance Copywriter

Sylvan Learning of Castro Valley, Apr 2017–Present, Tutor

State Farm, Debra O’Farrel Agency, Jun 2016–Dec 2016, Administrative Assistant

Art & Literary Agent, Personal Assistant, Sep 2015–Jun 2016

Writing Tutor, Jan 2014–Present