Hello! My name is Alissa and I will be teaching High School Head Start along with Christine, my intern and former student who is starting her sophomore year at Yale. Together, we hope to guide soon-to-be high schoolers via two perspectives: that of an education professional and that of a recent graduate.

 

To ease the daunting transition from middle to high school, this virtual crash course will teach incoming freshmen strategies & skills for navigating the next four years confidently & adeptly. Topics include organization, time management, study skills, self-advocacy, self-sufficiency, note-taking, class/extracurricular selection, stress management, engagement, proactivity, and more—all skills essential to a lifetime of academic success. Rather than frame each topic theoretically, we will be sharing specific, tried-and-true techniques so that students know exactly how to put their newfound knowledge into practice.

​

This class was born out of my experiences as a tutor. Regardless of the subject, I often find myself digressing from the content at hand to teach overarching skills applicable to *all* classes. For example, outside of my sessions, I help students make homework/study schedules, organize their binders, learn how to outline essays/annotate texts, choose future classes and extracurricular activities, and draft emails to teachers, as these skills are as integral to academic success as the content itself. I also get asked the same questions by every underclassman: What are the (P)SAT and ACT? When do I start thinking about admission tests and college applications? In my ten years teaching and tutoring, I have found there to be common behaviors that all self-motivated, self-assured, forward-thinking and contented students share. Why not teach these skills proactively, thus alleviating future stress and confusion?

​

In short, this class will teach the art of being a student. It will also help orient freshmen as they prepare for this new chapter, and provide them with a forum in which to address their concerns and apprehensions. The class fee includes a one-on-one call, in which students and parents can ask questions about the next four years, as well as notes outlining everything discussed in class.

​

We look forward to seeing you on Zoom!