My Academic Background and Teaching Philosophy
Erika S. Gibson
MA, MLS, Foodie, and Jefferson Enthusiast
Education and Experience
I just completed my second Master’s Degree, a Master of Legal Studies, from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon. In 2019 I received an MA in War and Society at Chapman University. My scholarship focuses on Thomas Jefferson and Material Culture. My first article, “‘Frenchified,” was published in Food Studies and Interdisciplinary Journal in 2018. I am currently working on two projects for publication, one scheduled for release in Fall of 2020 and the second in the Summer of 2021.
From 2011-2019 I tutored and designed curriculum at an enrichment center for junior high and high school students in Orange County, California. I worked with the same core group of about 10 students for 6 years, and in that time they each took all of the courses in my curriculum. In my 8 years of working with high school students I have a 100% pass rate with my AP History and English classes, 90% with a 5. My students have been accepted to Stanford, Yale, Tufts, and UC Berkeley.
My Teaching Philosophy
Academic success, at all levels, requires strong foundational skills in critical thinking and writing. My courses are designed to improve your child’s ability to read efficiently, think critically, and convey those thoughts in writing. Every class has a written component, each targeting a different skill that is necessary for strong students. Even before high school, junior high students can be preparing for College Preparatory and Advanced Placement classes by improving reading comprehension, retention, and study habits. What makes my program particularly effective, is that I am not preparing your child for the next grade level, rather I am focused on reading, writing, and thinking like a college student. As both a high school and college instructor, I’ve seen how overwhelmed many students are by college level work. My student-centered approach encourages students to draw upon ideas from readings and class discussions and come up with their own arguments and analyses.
What My Students Are Saying
“
Over the years, Coach Erika has helped me become more motivated and diligent as a student. She has taught me study skills that can be applied to many subjects. With her patience and support, I have become a stronger writer and thinker.
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— ANGELA H.
“
Erika was always hands on and worked with us as individuals to ensure each student felt heard and was getting the help they needed in a manner that resonated with them. She pushes me to be the best student I can be.
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— LEANA S.
“
Her feedback on my papers was essential to my success in the classroom, and my growth overall as a student. I especially appreciated her close and thorough readings of my work because in this manner she was able to push me further in my research and writing.
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— NATHAN H.
“
As someone who struggles with writing, the help she provided was appreciated as her feedback really helped me clarify my work.
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— JOHANN O.
Academic Awards and Fellowships
International Center for Jefferson Studies Short Term Research Fellowship, 2017
Chapman University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2017
Emerging Scholars Award, 7th Annual International Food Studies Conference, Rome, 2017
California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), 2017
Research Grant, Center for Undergraduate Excellence, 2016, 2017
Research Grant, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2016, 2017, 2018
Travel Grant, History Department, Chapman University, 2017, 2018
Write without fear.
Edit without mercy.
Chat with me
Let’s talk about how we can work together to achieve your student’s goals.