DISCOVER SAVAGE STUDY SKILLS
Kathy Savage, MS
717-855-3777
savagestudyskills@gmail.com
FALLING BEHIND IN SCHOOL?
I'm here to help!
For the past six years, I have worked one-on-one with elementary, middle and high-school students throughout our community, helping them close gaps, rebuild confidence, and rediscover the fun in learning.
Sometimes all a struggling student needs is someone other than their parent or teacher to take a fresh, unbiased look at what is going on. My approach is shaped by a deep academic background in Developmental Psychobiology and years of experience assessing how kids learn and where they get stuck, plus many more years of teaching and mentoring kids and adults across a variety of different settings.
While I'm comfortable tutoring most subjects and grade levels, my focus is on helping each student discover how they learn best and build a toolbox of study skills they can carry into any subject, now and in the future.
TEACHING AND EMPOWERING IS MY PASSION!
My path to tutoring wasn't a straight line, but every step of it shapes how I work with students today.
Academic Foundation: I hold a Masters Degree in Developmental Psychobiology from Virginia Tech, along with several additional years of doctoral coursework and research in the same program. During my five years of graduate school, I taught undergraduates in the Psychology Department, which served as my first real experience helping students think through difficult material, succeed on tests, and hone their research and writing skills.
Understanding how students learn - and where they struggle: For decades, I've conducted academic and IQ testing for a local neuropsychology office, where one of my specialties has been assessing ADHD and learning differences in children and young adults. This work gives me a level of insight into why a student is struggling (not just that they are), that most tutors don't have.
Time in a variety of classrooms: I've worked as a substitute teacher in local school districts through the CAIU, and have taught study skills, writing, and a variety of math and science courses in a co-op setting.
A parent's perspective: While raising our three boys, our family has been through nearly every schooling model there is; private school, public school, cyber-charter, homeschooling, college, and grad school. I know firsthand what it is like to search for the right fit for a struggling or unique learner, and to advocate for a student who needs additional attention. Finding the right fit for a student with ADHD or Autism spectrum issues is particularly challenging, and I have much experience with this as well.
Beyond academics: I have spent many years teaching self-defense and bully-proofing skills to kids and adults (I hold a 2nd degree black belt in Jung Sim Do and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). This work has taught me so much about building confidence and resilience in young people, on and off the mat.
TEST PREP
Many students have anxiety when it comes to test-taking. Feeling truly prepared can alleviate some of the stress associated with this aspect of school. My goal is to work with students to identify problem areas and work in positive, constructive ways to plan ahead, break tasks down into manageable chunks, and practice skills and memory techniques to achieve test success and build overall confidence. I am also ready and able to help with standardized test prep for everything from the GED to the GMAT.
PLANNING AND TIME MANAGEMENT
When students are young, natural ability alone is often enough for them to earn good grades in school. However, making the transition to higher grades and more challenging material can be a struggle for even the most gifted student if they haven't had the opportunity to develop time budgeting skills. My focus is on empowering students to come up with a plan and a study routine that works for their individual needs.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Staying on top of coursework can be challenging when a student is juggling multiple classes and activities, and accountability can sometimes turn into a stressful parent-child or teacher-student dynamic. In my role as a tutor and learning coach, I take some of that pressure off. With your permission, and using tools provided by the school I can keep up with what's being covered in the student's classes, track fluctuations in their grades, and stay on top of upcoming projects and assignments. I've built a library of most High School textbooks and other resources, and can follow along and troubleshoot lessons as needed.
Not sure which of these fits your student's needs? Let's talk about it.
My Tutoring Philosophy:
Learning is a way of life, and opportunities to learn can be found everywhere. Even a student's least-favorite subject can serve as an opportunity to develop skills they can use in future endeavors. Although we may be working on a lesson in math, reading, science, or writing, my goal is to discover each student's unique blend of interests and strengths and to guide them in collecting and mastering a toolbox of academic skills they can apply to any situation.
Kathy Savage, M.S.
