Our Specialization
We provide one on one tutoring with a personal touch. All tutoring sessions are based on the goals of the student. Tutors employ various methods to teach to the learning style of each student. Success is dependent upon fostering a relationship between the tutor and student. The tutor will be able to help the student achieve their goals best if meetings are consistent. The tutor will be current with the student’s work and be able to chart the progress of the student towards the accomplishment of the specific goals. All tutors hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, have experience teaching and tutoring and have excellent references from former students. We offer in home tutoring throughout the South Bay of Los Angeles in the following areas: all levels of mathematics and science, reading comprehension, writing and grammar, SAT and ACT preparation, time management, study and organizational skills, Spanish, homework help, GRE preparation, GED preparation.
December 6th, 2011 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Learning, Our Program, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Thanksgiving
Students are back to school today for the final push before Winter Break! Many of the schools in the South Bay had the entire week off! The weather was perfect here in Southern California which made for a nice time at the beach. My daughter, Alison, and I walk our dogs along the Esplanade in Redondo Beach. I was feeling so grateful for the 80 degree weather and the chance to spend time with family and friends. We took a trip to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum to see the updated dinosaur exhibits. It is excellent. Look for a blog about it coming up soon. I was also able to meet with a film maker and we recorded videos on frequently asked questions addressing various topics in math. These videos will appear on the Expanding Abilities Tutoring website. I am very excited to add the video footage to our webpage! I have so much to be grateful for this year and I am wishing everyone a blessed holiday season!
November 28th, 2011 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Learning, Making Learning Fun | | 0 Comments
About Us
I am the owner and director of Expanding Abilities Tutoring. I began tutoring twenty years ago and I now use the knowledge I acquired over the years to advise families and individuals on their options for meeting specific educational situations. Every student is different and Expanding Abilities Tutoring focuses on each student as an individual. Specifically, we design a personalized program for every student we work with to help them to reach their educational goals. All of our tutors are professionals and are experts at employing various methods of teaching. Each student learns differently and our tutors work together with the student to find what works best. We currently service the South Bay of Los Angeles and specialize in the following subjects: pre-algebra, basic math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, physics, statistics, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, organizational skills, study skills, test taking skills, reading comprehension, writing, SAT preparation, ACT preparation, GRE preparation, GED preparation, and general homework help.
November 20th, 2011 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Our Program | | 0 Comments
Math and Science Tutors Available
Are you or your child struggling with math or science? We have tutors who can help. All of our tutors hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have extensive experience tutoring and teaching in their given field. We have tutors who specialize in Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Tutors are available to meet with students in their homes or at a local library. We service Redondo Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, San Pedro, Lomita, Carson, Harbor City, Compton, Willmington, Long Beach, and the surrounding areas. Many of our students attend El Camino College, Harbor College, Redondo Union High School, Mira Costa High School, El Segundo High School, West High, South High, Torrance High, North Torrance High, Bishop Montgomery High School, San Pedro High School, Palos Verdes High School, Penninsula High School, and Chadwick. We also work with many elementary and middle school students. Please call or email today and start working with an excellent tutor. melissa@expandingabilities.com or 310-720-1883
November 2nd, 2011 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Our Program, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
College Placement Exams
Now is the time that many students are taking college placement exams. Many students have anxiety about these tests. They fear that they will not place into the appropriate class, that they will have a lot of math or english classes to complete based on their placement. My advice is to not worry too much about the tests. These tests are designed to find out what skill level you are at and place you in the proper class. If you place in a beginning level math or english class, usually this is the best place for you to start. It is necessary to make sure that you are comfortable with the basic skills in math and english before you move on to intermediate or advanced level classes. This will ensure your success as you move through all the challenging courses you will face as a college student. If you feel that you are strong in math or english but just need to brush up a little to refresh your memory on some concepts, working with a tutor for a few hours may be a good option for you.
August 16th, 2011 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Our Community, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Tips for a successful Winter Break
It is very important that parents are helping their students get a head start on school over break for the New Year. Many people use this two-week break to allow their children to rejuvenate and not worry about their studies, but it is detrimental that we are encouraging students to exercise their minds over winter break. Subject matter increases in difficulty during the second half of the school year; therefore, if use winter break to educate in interactive ways it will help make your student’s transition to 2011 an easy one.
1. Read for 20 minutes a day
2. Practice math facts for 20 minutes a day
3. Make an educational trip to a museum or watch educational movies/documentaries
4. Try to learn a new vocabulary word everyday
5. Play word games and number games rather than video games
In addition to these exercises, try to keep your students on their normal school sleeping schedule. In my experience working with students of all ages, elementary to high school age, one simple change in their habits on the days that they are off of school can make a world of difference. If you are the parent of a student that can use a grade increase in all subjects, work on the basics. Try to apply these exercises throughout the school year if possible. Most importantly, use this time off to educate your students in ways in which they are unaccustomed.
By: Lauren Fierro
December 20th, 2010 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Learning, Making Learning Fun, Our Program, Teaching, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Building A Strong Foundation
Many people ask me what I do for a living. “Well,” I explain, “I’m a private tutor.” “A tutor?” they respond. “So, are you like a teacher?” That is where the conversation starts and from there it is endless. I can go on for hours about my experiences in the tutoring field. The first question I answer is “Are you like a teacher?” to that I reply, “Yes, but a private teacher.” I do not hold teaching credentials or a state test that certifies me as an instructor, but what I do hold are the tools to help any willing student learn the subject matter more in depth, complete assignments, and improve test scores. “Willing” is the key word here. If a student, regardless of the environment, situation or inability, is willing to do what it takes, I believe that I possess the answers. Many parents struggle day-to-day with getting their students to complete homework assignments, study for upcoming tests and juggle extra-curricular activities. School has become increasingly competitive and the norm has become what we would have considered the “Suma Cum Laude” of last decade. We used to ask, “What does it take for a student to get into a four-year university these days? The question is now, “What don’t you have to do to get into a four-year university these days?” In my experience working closely with students of all ages and abilities, the one thing I have noticed is that the expectations of the school system have soared far beyond the comfort of the parents helping with homework. It has now created a situation where unless your student is a self-starting, over-achiever, you may be thinking… Where can I go for help? Being a parent is hard enough when dealing with the day-to-day home situation, but adding into the mix weekend homework and research papers does not leave much time for family bonding. That is what I love about my job. I have had the pleasure of stepping into numerous situations where the parents are able to work along with me, as the tutor, to ensure that their children are not only keeping their grades up; they are learning to care beyond the current subject matter and think about their future. Many of my “pre-algebra” kids struggle with the repetitiveness of the long division or multiplication of large numbers, but if I can get them to focus on the big picture they feel more at ease. A word of advice for those of you that may find yourselves in this very situation… We learn pre-algebra because it is the building blocks on which all other math relies upon. If we don’t have a strong foundation, the house will eventually crumble.
Written by: Lauren Fierro
October 15th, 2010 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Learning, Making Learning Fun, Our Program, Self Help, Teaching, The School System, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Do you offer tutoring for graduate students?
Yes. At Expanding Abilities Tutoring, all of our tutors are college graduates with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Most of our tutors have master’s degrees as well.
July 4th, 2010 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Our Program | | 0 Comments
Do You Offer Small Group Tutoring?
If a group of students would like to meet together, our tutors are available for this. I recommend one on one tutoring for any student who is getting below a C in a math course. In a one on one situation, all the focus is on the student as an individual as opposed to splitting the time among other students who may have different questions. In the one on one environment, a tutor has the opportunity to identify the areas of weakness for the student whether it be test taking strategies, homework issues, or certain concepts that are not clicking. In addition, when the student is not understanding something, the tutor has enough time to focus on different methods of teaching to find the one that works for the student as an individual. Feel free to give me a call if you would like to discuss your tutoring options! Melissa Haueter Expanding Abilities Tutoring Director 310-720-1883
July 4th, 2010 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Our Program, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
Finals are just around the corner
Expanding Abilities Tutoring offers final exam preparation for students in high school and college. Do you have questions that are left unanswered? Please contact us today to schedule an appointment for a review of your Math, Chemistry, Physics, or Spanish courses. Do you need a paper edited? We have great English and writting tutors available to help you with that.
May 29th, 2009 - Posted in Fequently Asked Questions, Our Program, Tutoring | | 0 Comments
