1st lesson free
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John
- Price $91
- Answer 1h
$91/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- English
- Reading
- Literacy
- Resume writing
- Classics
Retired English Teacher (M.Ed.) | Diagnostic Writing Coach | Specializing in Strategic Revision, Essay Mechanics & OSSLT Success
- English
- Reading
- Literacy
- Resume writing
- Classics
Lesson location
About John
My Background in Tutoring & Academic Leadership:
• Tutoring-Program Director: Drawing from early roots as Peer-Tutoring Assistant Coordinator at St. Clair College, I established an after-school, biweekly, year-round peer-tutoring drop-in center at St. Joan of Arc CSS (DPCDSB, Mississauga), directing the STEP Club (Students Teaching and Educating Peers) from 2007 to 2025. Within this role, I trained student mentors in institutional ethics, administered budgetary allocations to foster a collaborative learning environment, optimized scheduling logistics with faculty, and served as the primary on-site consultant to resolve complex student inquiries in academic writing and textual analysis—all while continuing to provide one-on-one tutorial assistance to my own students.
• Adult Education Teacher: My instructional experience included an adult-learner teaching practicum at the City Adult Learning Centre, as well as instructing diverse adult cohorts within accelerated evening continuing-education programs.
• Literacy Committee Member: As an active member of the school's Literacy Committee from 2007 to 2019, I planned and implemented targeted school-wide diagnostic interventions to prepare students and staff for the annual Grade-10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In this capacity, I facilitated senior-level student mentorship and peer structures during intensive, after-school literacy-preparation courses, and assessed diagnostic test scripts in strict accordance with the EQAO-based evaluation system to chart writing deficiencies and develop targeted literacy interventions.
Why Choose Me?
University student tutors mean well, but they lack professional institutional experience. I integrate 30 years of Ontario curriculum teaching and an 18-year legacy of managing an in-school peer-tutoring network to provide unparalleled guidance that extended instructional support beyond my own classroom.
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About the lesson
- Primary School
- High School
- Year 10
- +7
levels :
Primary School
High School
Year 10
Year 11-12
Year 12
TAFE
Adult
Diploma/Certificate
PhD
Early childhood education
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
️NOTE REGARDING "FIRST-LESSON-FREE" POLICY:
In accordance with Superprof's interface settings, please note that the complimentary "first lesson" offered on this profile is strictly a free 15-to-20-minute initial consultation. This brief meeting is used to discuss academic goals, review writing history, and establish a schedule. It can be held via phone or in person at the Toronto Reference Library. Regular, one-on-one writing instruction sessions are billed at my standard rate of $90 per hour.
My Instructional Method & Philosophy:
As both an educator and lifelong learner, I view clarity as the paramount quality that empowers writers to find their voice and connect with their audience. I utilize a non-threatening, “minimalist-marking” approach to consistently promote strategic revision and audience awareness. Rather than compromise learner autonomy throughout the process, I teach students to navigate linguistic conventions responsibly and more independently. Formative consultations are viewed as empowering rather than punitive—all while developing authentic critical thinking skills that serve as a powerful alternative to overdependency on artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). Every lesson is individually tailored using personally refined, research-informed instructional frameworks to help students learn how to write logically and effectively.
My Background in Tutoring & Academic Leadership:
• Tutoring-Program Director: Drawing from early roots as Peer-Tutoring Assistant Coordinator at St. Clair College, I established an after-school, biweekly, year-round peer-tutoring drop-in center at St. Joan of Arc CSS (DPCDSB, Mississauga), directing the STEP Club (Students Teaching and Educating Peers) from 2007 to 2025. Within this role, I trained student mentors in institutional ethics, administered budgetary allocations to foster a collaborative learning environment, optimized scheduling logistics with faculty, and served as the primary on-site consultant to resolve complex student inquiries in academic writing and textual analysis—all while continuing to provide one-on-one tutorial assistance to my own students.
• Adult Education Teacher: My instructional experience included an adult-learner teaching practicum at the City Adult Learning Centre, as well as instructing diverse adult cohorts within accelerated evening continuing-education programs.
• Literacy Committee Member: As an active member of the school's Literacy Committee from 2007 to 2019, I planned and implemented targeted school-wide diagnostic interventions to prepare students and staff for the annual Grade-10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In this capacity, I facilitated senior-level student mentorship and peer structures during intensive, after-school literacy-preparation courses, and assessed diagnostic test scripts in strict accordance with the EQAO-based evaluation system to chart writing deficiencies and develop targeted literacy interventions.
My Typical Lesson Plan Itinerary:
Every session is highly structured, text-centric, and focused on promoting learner autonomy. Rather than utilizing a rigid lecture layout or wasting paid instructional time reading texts during our meetings, I employ an asynchronous diagnostic workflow designed to maximize the value of our face-to-face hours and maintain high student morale:
• Asynchronous Diagnostic Evaluation: Prior to our scheduled session, the student submits their current writing draft or assignment rubric. I review the text and provide expert, annotated diagnostic comments in advance. This model empowers the learner with a non-threatening opportunity to digest the feedback and attempt appropriate revisions independently before our live session begins. (Please note: While this level of intensive pre-session support is highly effective for developmental growth, it is a practice not typically replicated by university instructors; it is a feature of my tutoring services that is provided to scaffold the transition to independent post-secondary writing.)
• Targeted Framework Modeling: At the start of our live session, we immediately target the structural or syntactical gaps identified within the diagnostic review. Wherever appropriate, I introduce and/or refine research-informed instructional frameworks that focus directly on enhancing student cognition of writing mechanics, macro- and micro-level structures, and audience awareness.
• Guided Strategic Revision: The student actively applies this cognitive framework to the text in real time. Using a shared digital document or printed draft, I provide immediate oral guidance that further assists the student in the revision process.
• Independent Action Steps: We close by identifying clear, manageable actions for the student to complete independently prior to our next session.
Why Choose Me?
University student tutors mean well, but they lack professional institutional experience. I integrate 30 years of Ontario curriculum teaching and an 18-year legacy of managing an in-school peer-tutoring network to provide unparalleled guidance that extended instructional support beyond my own classroom. I diagnose a student's writing habits expertly, and promote learner autonomy by using personally refined, research-informed instructional frameworks. Now based in downtown Toronto (within walking distance of the Toronto Reference Library) and offering competitive rates for expert, certified writing instruction, I invite you to secure availability for the upcoming academic term by contacting me to schedule an initial consultation (to be safely held in-person at the Toronto Reference Library or via phone) toward achieving greater academic success.
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Rates
Price
- $91
Pack prices
- 5h: $454
- 10h: $908
free lessons
The first lesson with John will allow you to get to know each other and discuss your needs for future lessons.
- 1hr
online
- $91/h
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