|
|
JBG March 2019 Newsletter
In this edition.......
- Special Offer!
- Tutor of Month - Effie Sapuridis
- Student of the Month - Javid Kasraie
- How to Help Someone Who's Struggling
- 3 Keys to De-stress Applications
- School of the Month - The Carroll School
- College of the Month - University of Oxford
- Become a Parent Ambassador
Make the most of the season by getting your student prepared for standardized tests AND have fun!
- Sign your student up for the SAT or ACT
- Have your students' friends sign up for test prep, too
- Host 3 or more students at your home for a SAT or ACT weekly tutoring session
- Host pays HALF the regular rate
Tutor of the Month
Effie Sapuridis
Effie is originally from Montreal, Quebec and is fluently trilingual in English, French, and Greek! Back home, she received a B.A. in English Literature, with a minor in Political Science and Liberal Arts Studies. Post-graduation, she took a trip to Boston and fell in love with the city. She graduated with her M.A. in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts Boston in December of 2016. While there, she taught several literature classes and tutored middle and high school level students in all core subjects.
Beyond her teaching experience, Effie has a background in writing, proofreading, research, and editing having worked for various literary magazines and publishing houses. In July 2017, she launched her own online YA literary journal called “Fterota Logia” (www.fterotalogia.com). The journal published its first print edition this past October. Relatedly, she hopes to pursue an academic career focused on fandom studies, fan fiction, young adult literature, digital publishing, and online communities. She currently works as a research assistant remotely for Dr. Chris Marquis at Cornell University.
When tutoring, Effie covers a wide array of subjects including college essay writing, ACT/SAT/GRE test preparation, and various academic subjects. Our families love the specialized expertise she brings to her sessions! In her almost two years at JBG, she's helped her students get into their dream schools - Northeastern, Brown, Kenyon College, Villanova, to name a few! She believes the greatest part, however, is seeing a student's transformation and their eventual success and, of course, how happy and proud they are of what they've accomplished!
Student of the Month
Javid Kasraie
Javid Kasraie is an outstanding senior from Newton South High School with a growing acumen in various fields of study. His high school career has been peppered with clubs that feed his interests in business or technology and seasoned by internships that have only begun to satiate his appetite for deeper-level understanding in research areas such as the VIX and the secrets behind real estate developments.
Whenever he is taking a break from extemporaneous speaking, whether it is as a proponent of Persian snack foods for study breaks or as the State President of Future Business Leaders of America, Javid can always be found fueled by passion. This was evident during his carefully focused test preparation process and the abundance of creativity and personality he showed during college essay season.
While awaiting the next stage of his educational career, Javid has drilled into a new purpose: contacting local and national politicians as he campaigns for statewide educational support and curriculum development in over 350 Massachusetts cities and towns.
Most of all, congratulations to Javid for recently getting accepted to Cornell University! All that hard work paid off!
How to Help Someone Who's Struggling
Along with the joy and new milestones high school can often present, it is also notoriously a time of challenge for students. While some navigate these pitfalls with ease, others can stumble. It is perfectly normal for everyone to move at their own pace, but recognizing the signs of someone in need is also crucial. This may seem daunting, but helping a friend, student, or family member who is struggling can make all the difference, even if it just means lending an ear.
First and foremost, look for important signs:
1. They withdraw themselves from social interactions and events
2. They are constantly negative about even the smallest events
3. They are not eating or sleeping in their normal pattern
4. They have stopped putting effort into outlets they once loved such as school, sports, friendships, etc.
5. Have become overly sensitive to comments/actions
6. Often talk about not liking their life
7. Abusing substances or behaving impulsively
8. Have had a noticeable change in personality
What to do:
Step One: If you believe the person has one or several of these signs, reach out and let them know you're there to listen without judgment.
Step Two: Allow the individual to speak to you on their terms when they're ready. Let them know you understand the situation is hard and you're always there for them.
Step Three: Give them space, extra attention, or simply the ear they need to work through everything. However, if the situation feels unsafe, it is important to seek help from a trusted source, be it a teacher, counselor, or therapist.
These situations vary widely, but should all be treated with equal concern. So if you, or someone you care about, needs help, please contact us and together we can work through the challenges.
3 Keys to De-stress Applications
Applying to private schools and colleges can be stressful – not only for students, but for parents as well. There are personal statements and essays to complete, recommendation letters to obtain, and student files to be sent. Furthermore, there are deadlines! Although challenging, applying to the school(s) of your dreams does not have to be a painful process. Here are the biggest three tips that will make the application process easier, more enjoyable, and more efficient.
1) Meet with a consultant. They will help you:
-Identify what needs to be completed
-Explain how to complete each task (both required and optional)
-Provide advice in answering ambiguous application questions
-Determine areas of emphasis
2) Create a to-do list. This will help you:
-Remain organized and complete all required materials
-Manage responsibilities in a timely manner
-Ensure teachers and others have appropriate time to write letters of recommendation
-Allow plenty of time for application review
3) Seek essay writing assistance. This will help ensure:
-There is a proper understanding of the prompt
-The topic and answers are unique and appropriate
-There are no grammatical or spelling errors
-The essay is engaging
The application process, whether it relates to a secondary school or post-secondary admission, is one that should not be completed alone. Each year, the selection process becomes more and more competitive, and it is imperative that students submit their best application. Although this is a process that is generally stressful in nature, this easy approach can help minimize the tension student and families experience.
Become a Parent Ambassador! Pass out our flyers to your students' sports team or community groups and get a $50 credit!
|
|
Private School of the Month
The Carroll School
Located across a few towns in the Greater Boston area, the Carroll School services students between grades 1 and 9, offering a three to one student to teacher ratio and many on-site tutors, as well. The Carroll School also boasts several sports teams, a summer camp, and a varied course curriculum. By supporting equality in all forms, this school marks itself as a great local resource for anyone looking for a more specialized alternative to public schooling.
Above all, the Carroll School seeks to empower students with learning disabilities, especially those with dyslexia, to become confident and independent learners. By committing to the idea that each student can find success, they focus on how each individual learns best. Beyond that, they also ask students to believe in themselves, respect each other, and have fun while learning.
|
We are Growing and are hiring tutors!
Do you know someone who is talented, motivating, and would be a great addition to the JBG family?
Spread the word!
We are hiring academic, essay, and SAT preparation tutors!
|
JBG is looking for an intern!
Do you want an opportunity to learn, work, and gain a valuable experience? JBG is looking for a high school intern. Responsibilities will include: writing and composing monthly newsletters, managing social media accounts, and organizing files. The internship would be once a week, for 2-3 hours depending on the student's schedule. This job looks great on college applications and resumes, and will give you valuable experience for future jobs.
|
Like us on Facebook!
Click the icon above to  our page and stay on top of educational information.
|
|
College of the Month
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a unique institution, nestled in the city of the same name about an hour outside of England's capital of London. This university's history stretches back hundreds of years and holds the esteemed honor of calling many great literary, political, and scientific minds alumni such as Stephen Hawking, Benazir Bhutto, Bill Clinton, Amal Clooney, and C.S. Lewis.
The school has a central university as well as many affiliated colleges, each specializing in different academic departments and educational approaches. For the past three years, Oxford has ranked as the number one university in the world. Nearly 25,000 students, both undergraduate and graduate, attend the school under approximately 400 different majors of focus. They house students from across England, Europe, and the rest of the world. The highest international student group comes from the US, so definitely keep Oxford in mind when reviewing your college list. |
|
Quote of the Month:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
~Maimonides
|
Have an educational dilemma? Reach out to us for a personalized solution.
|
|
|
|
| |
