Natalie Finander

Biography

I grew up right here in Redwood City and attended Woodside High School, where I first discovered how much I love reading, writing, and storytelling. My first experience with teaching was as a peer tutor in English, and it was also at Woodside that I realized just how much I enjoy writing essays. During a practice test for the AP English Language exam, I started out nervous and somewhat annoyed at having to sit and write for so long. But once I got into it, I became excited about analyzing the text and developing my own ideas. I remember thinking, “This is so much fun.” That’s when I knew English was for me. I went on to graduate summa cum laude from UCLA with a major in English and a minor in History.

After college, I explored my love of books from a different perspective while working at the Schaberg Library. I then spent two years in Washington State earning a master’s degree in English Literature while teaching composition to first-year college students. Teaching college English to students who weren’t necessarily interested in the subject gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges people can face when writing. It also reinforced my belief that writing is an important skill for everyone. Being able to express an idea clearly and understand your own perspective is valuable in nearly every field, including science and other subjects outside the humanities.

I know that writing an essay can feel intimidating from the first draft all the way through the final edits. When I work with students, I guide them through each stage of the process, drawing on my own experience as a writer and teacher. When a student is struggling to find a thesis, for example, I start by asking questions and learning where their interests lie. From there, I help them clarify what they think about a text and why that perspective matters. One of my favorite parts of tutoring is helping students discover that they already have interesting ideas—they just need the tools to put those ideas into words.

When I tutor other subjects, I often use stories and characterization to help students build a mental framework for what they’re learning, especially in math. For students working on study skills, I listen first to understand their individual strengths, habits, and learning styles. There isn’t one study method that works perfectly for everyone, so I believe in meeting students where they are and building from there.

When I’m not tutoring, I’m usually looking for a story to enjoy and analyze. I love science fiction, animated movies, video games, classical and popular literature, and cute videos of guinea pigs.