Lucinda The Journalist Teaches Spanish, Reading, English, Grammar, Writing & Public Speaking
About
My love for teaching and ability to break down the complex into very understandable terms, led me to a second career in education. Until last year, I was a full classroom teacher. I teach/tutor Spanish, ESL, English Grammar, Reading, Writing, Editing, Marketing and Public Speaking.
I am an experienced online and in-person tutor. I tutor 3 ways: 1. I have a full classroom and computer lab in a professional building that is Metro accessible. 2. I travel to you! 3. Online. My home classroom, for online teaching, contains props, an educational backdrop and is very inviting. I have a rating of 5 stars from over 55 students with my online and face-to-face sessions. My students range from Pre-K age 3 to 81 years old!
Whether it's a short term need, like cramming for a test, getting a paper edited, preparing for a speaking engagement, or an ongoing learning situation, I'm able to customize the lessons to fit your personal goals. My schedule is flexible and contains late nights and early mornings in addition to traditional times. I already teach online to students in other countries, which means I'm up at 4 am, working hard! If you are a night owl or early riser and have time to dedicate to learning at those hours, look me up! I also regularly keep afternoon and early evening slots for the more traditional student.
Teaching is in my blood! My mother and grandmother are retired teachers. My career was in Journalism. I'm a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Spanish. I worked for the Washington Post Newspaper, AOL & McGraw Hill, as a salesperson and writer/reporter. As a freelancer, I have appeared on countless live broadcasts on shows such as Good Morning America, Fox National News & Inside Edition, plus local CBS, NBC and FOX news shows. After the Internet took over the print world, I started teaching as an Adjunct Professor for Prince George's & Anne Arundel Community Colleges. I substitute for Prince George’s County Schools and the Archdioces of Washington, D.C. Catholic Schools.
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We assess their needs, availability and other logistics. In the first session I do 3 things:
Get acquainted
Assess their current level
Suggest the initial game plan for their tutoring needs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park with a concentration in Magazine Writing. Minor in Spanish.
I have completed professional level coursework and ongoing Continuing Education with writing and proofreading.
Published writer/reporter in these publications & others: AOL, The Washington Post, Art & Antiques magazine, New York Resident, other academic courses/curriculum.
Broadcast & Advertising Agency writing experience: CBS DC, Fox DC, TMP Advertising Agency and Verizon Yellow Pages.
ESL CERTIFICATIONS
Rated 5 stars as an online teacher by 36 students & families on VIPKID, an educational company for ESL for Chinese students.
Former manager of Prince George's Community College ESL Continuing Education, Workforce Development department
Adult Education ESL professor
Listed with the World Language Department for Prince George's County Public Schools
SPANISH CERTIFICATIONS
Certified trainer and instructor of the curriculum called Command Spanish, Inc.
Licensed with Command Spanish, Inc for the Mid-Atlantic
Listed with the World Language Department for Prince George's County Public Schools
Member, National Spanish Honor Society
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
It varies per subject and requirements.
How did you get started teaching?
My passion for teaching drove me to change my career! During and after college, I had a progressively successful career, at award winning print, broadcast and online publications. I excelled in the newsroom and on the business side in advertising sales. As print journalism declined, I moved into the cyber world and continued mastering sales. In 2004, I filled a last-minute emergency need for an ESL teacher, which added “academic instructor” to my resume. With the area’s shortage of Spanish teachers and the worldwide demand for ESL/ELL, a second career was born.
What types of students have you worked with?
My students range from Pre-K 3 to age 82. I have worked with the extremely talented and gifted, senior citizens, learning challenged and foreign students with limited English skills.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Credentials are great. Certification is key. HOWEVER, sometimes the person with the work and life experience, who has a patient, engaging personality, makes the BEST TEACHER! I am not a teacher by trade, but I have outranked many colleagues who are lifetime educators because of my ability to relate to people and being excellent in my subjects.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I am an expert interviewer. I can shape your thoughts into a successful plan of action. No worries!