Birute R.IB TOK: Essay and Exhibition & English B Tutor
Think before you speak, read before you think. - Fran Lebowitz I think, therefore, IB.
About Birute
I have a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in History and English from the University of Toronto. I also have a MA and B.Ed. Also from the University of Toronto. I partially completed an MA in Applied Linguistics from the University of London. I have been a teacher for over 20 years and have worked in the IBDP for 15 years. My teaching experience has primarily been in international schools around the world. These include Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Oman, Malaysia, Singapore, India, China, Italy, the UK, and Germany. Some schools were IB, and others were universities where I taught Academic Writing and Interpersonal Communication. As an IB teacher and IB coordinator, I have attended at least 5 workshops to complete my IB subjects or IB positions certification. Finally, I have been an IB examiner.
Teaching Experience
IB teacher/IB coordinator
- Grade 9 English.
- Grade 11/12 IB English A Language and Literature.
- Grade 11 TOK.
Assistant Professor
- Academic writing, grammar/Reading.
IB English Lang and Lit./TOK.
- Grade 11/12 English, IB Language, and Literature TOK.
Centre Academic Studies
- Research and Problem; Solving, Skills for Learning and Research; Interpersonal Communications (course coordinator); Writing Center.
IB teacher/ IB Coordinator
- Helped get accreditation from IBO.
- Set curriculum for Pre IB Grade 9-10.
- Supported teachers were new to the IB.
- Marketing the program.
- English Language and Literature to Year 1 and 2.
- Language B.
Academic writing/reading
- Instructor in academic English writing.
ESL Department Head/Teacher
- ESL, English.
Education
Academic qualifications and achievements
Master of Arts in Medieval Studies,
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Education in English and History,
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts in English and History
University of Toronto
Teaching Skills & Expertise
Subjects, levels, and qualifications
Subject | Programme | Level | Assignments | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English A: Literature | IB DP | – | Extended EssayIndividual Oral | IB Examiner |
| TOK: Essay and Exhibition | IB DP | – | – | Qualified Tutor |
| English A: Language and Literature | IB DP | – | Extended EssayIndividual Oral | IB Examiner |
| English B | IB DP | HLSL | Individual OralExtended Essay | Qualified Tutor |
English A: Literature
TOK: Essay and Exhibition
English A: Language and Literature
English B
Teaching Style
My methodology and approach to tutoring
What is your teaching philosophy?
Education is a life-long pursuit. You never stop learning and schools should create the environment that makes this possible, making this an organic part of a person’s life. As a teacher, I am always learning and always asking questions about what I see, hear and think I know. I love words and I know how powerful they can be. I teach with a passion for these words to help students understand how they were used by the great minds of the past and are used in the present. In these times of “fake news”, education should prepare students to be able to read, listen and think critically so that their opinions are based on strong foundations of reason, logic, and true knowledge. I believe in using humour and compassion to engage and motivate. We are interconnected and knowledge is also interconnected and transdisciplinary, so we can no longer serve up a subject in isolation but see these subjects as a part of humankind striving to know, understand, apply and advance ourselves.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I must first know where you are as a learner, what your expectations are for yourself and for me. Both student and teacher create a team that sets out the goals and the strategies that will be necessary to apply in order that these goals are met. Although we might be studying a literary text, the starting point has to be the student’s context and the writer’s context that creates a unique experience for each reader. The IB is concept-driven and these BIG IDEAS are what bring literature to life. The lesson should uncover these big ideas and apply them to the student‘s experience. The doors to different subjects, cultures, historical periods will find their way into the lesson to reveal the interconnectedness of knowledge. I know that at the end of a course these concepts might be all that will remain. Since high standards in thinking and writing are set by the IB, I will do all that I can to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to score well on the exams and assessments.
What to Expect
Personalized Approach
Tailored to your learning style
Practical Strategies
Easy-to-remember techniques
Exam Preparation
Focused on IB assessments
Student Reviews
What students say about their experience (9 reviews)
Ala T.
October 2024
She was so kind and helpful! I am planning on taking other lessons from her. Thank you!
Wesam M.
July 2024
The best Tutor my Dughter has on both sides personably and professionally
Neeraj Y.
November 2022
Birute was very helpful in both my TOK and English Classes. She was able to explain everything very well.
Naysa R.
October 2022
She is patient and amazing as an instructor
Wei J.
February 2022
She is a very experienced teacher, helped a lot,I appreciate all her hard working
Sophia S.
July 2021
It was a fantastic session.. Looking forward to next Wednesday! Thank you so much, Miss Birute.
Eric C.
March 2021
Good, experienced, structured and it will help my son in his paper.
Sohum K.
July 2022
Very useful - I learnt a lot.
Ruby P.
April 2022
Friendly and knowledgable tutor. Made the most of the time allotted, and made my son feel at ease very quickly. I highly recommend her.