The Writers in Bloom Philosophy
We all need to write. Words are what inspire, inform, convince and comfort us. In today's information age, words are more powerful than ever, and one's command of language determines one's success, no matter what career or life path we choose.
Unfortunately, due to larger class sizes and shrinking school budgets, more and more students are missing the essential one-on-one instruction needed to build even the most basic writing skills. In today's test-oriented classrooms, the intrinsic value of narrative and expressive writing is often overlooked. Young Writers in Bloom Tutoring Center was born of the necessity for quality one-on-one and small group reading and writing instruction in today's competitive academic environment.
Good writing goes beyond just "getting the grade." A myriad of websites offer tutoring to "build skills" and "improve test scores," and most are very good at doing just that. However, in order to succeed in school and life, our children need to understand and embrace the written word. We are missing the boat when we teach our children that success is all about the grades and that one only writes when one needs to complete an assignment. Yes, test scores are important, and essays are the building blocks for a variety of expository writing forms. However, when students are given the proper reading and writing tools through an engaging and effective individualized curriculum, those students will embrace the written word and begin to write on their own. When that happens, increased academic achievement and higher test scores will likely follow.
At Young Writers in Bloom Tutoring Center, your child will receive the individual attention and support needed to improve his or her literacy skills. Appropriate assessment, individual study plans and relevant assignments which support, rather than add to your child's homework load, are all essential elements of the Young Writers in Bloom program. This wholistic approach to reading and writing helps each child gain fluency and become a competent, confident writer with a lifelong means of self-expression. Ultimately, and most importantly, confident writers are happier young people. Students who express themselves through writing will use the written word as an emotional and intellectual outlet, reducing stress and improving scholastic performance.
“Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we see in the making all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals.”
- Don Delillo
Unfortunately, due to larger class sizes and shrinking school budgets, more and more students are missing the essential one-on-one instruction needed to build even the most basic writing skills. In today's test-oriented classrooms, the intrinsic value of narrative and expressive writing is often overlooked. Young Writers in Bloom Tutoring Center was born of the necessity for quality one-on-one and small group reading and writing instruction in today's competitive academic environment.
Good writing goes beyond just "getting the grade." A myriad of websites offer tutoring to "build skills" and "improve test scores," and most are very good at doing just that. However, in order to succeed in school and life, our children need to understand and embrace the written word. We are missing the boat when we teach our children that success is all about the grades and that one only writes when one needs to complete an assignment. Yes, test scores are important, and essays are the building blocks for a variety of expository writing forms. However, when students are given the proper reading and writing tools through an engaging and effective individualized curriculum, those students will embrace the written word and begin to write on their own. When that happens, increased academic achievement and higher test scores will likely follow.
At Young Writers in Bloom Tutoring Center, your child will receive the individual attention and support needed to improve his or her literacy skills. Appropriate assessment, individual study plans and relevant assignments which support, rather than add to your child's homework load, are all essential elements of the Young Writers in Bloom program. This wholistic approach to reading and writing helps each child gain fluency and become a competent, confident writer with a lifelong means of self-expression. Ultimately, and most importantly, confident writers are happier young people. Students who express themselves through writing will use the written word as an emotional and intellectual outlet, reducing stress and improving scholastic performance.
“Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we see in the making all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals.”
- Don Delillo
Erin Bloom - Tutor
I am an experienced teacher with a cleared multiple subject credential. Based in Lafayette, California, I have a cleared teaching credential from St. Mary's College and over fifteen years of classroom experience, working in public, private, religious school and home school settings in the East Bay. As a tutor, I coordinate with my students' teachers to support the school curriculum, while providing the tools to improve each student's reading and writing fluency. I make it a priority to continue my own education, updating my own skills in order to best serve the needs of my students.
Before becoming a teacher, I enjoyed a career as a television writer and segment director in Los Angeles and New York. Writing on a daily basis for shows such as Geraldo, The CBS Morning Program and Hollywood Insider provided me with an appreciation for the importance of the written word, and a desire to instill in others a lifelong love of reading and writing. I enjoy few things more than working with students on an individual basis, passing the baton to help each child fulfill his or her potential as a writer.
(Member of National Council of Teachers of English, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce)
What do parents have to say about Young Writers in Bloom?
“My daughter Kate and I found out about Erin in a rather unique way. My Mother-in- Law was having her hair done and she listened to her hairdresser speak to a fun, smart, engaging woman. When my Mother-in -Law asked what she did for a living, she said she helps kids with their reading and writing. My mother-in-law immediately got her card for me and told me how warm, creative and caring she was and that I had to call her to help my high school daughter with her reading and writing. I called Erin and she was wonderful right from the start. My daughter loved working with Erin, and she always showed my daughter Kate a new and creative way to tackle her reading and writing issues. Kate's grades in English improved significantly and her confidence soared. Erin is fabulous and your child will love her!!!" – Mrs. H.
"My son would always have writer’s block when he had to create a written paper for class. It would be hours of frustration worrying about what to write, how to write it and panic would set in as he convinced himself that he wouldn’t have enough information to complete the assignment. Erin has instilled such a positive, internal confidence in my son that I now find him late at night writing a story he just has to finish! The ideas and the creative writing now just flow from him daily. He even has the ability to calmly break down a structured writing assignment with little or no frustration.
After many, many years of having a frustrated child wanting to get his ideas on paper, I now see a child who makes time daily to write down his thoughts and who continuously keeps a creative story in progress on his computer. "
- Mrs. W.
"Erin Bloom helped my daughter with several essays that she had to write for her English and History classes. Erin's clear and concise tutoring methods, and warm environment, made it informative and enjoyable for my daughter. Erin went above and beyond the call of duty in being helpful and instructive in aiding my daughter to complete her assignments. I would recommend Erin to any family that wants to ensure their child's academic success." - Mrs. R.
Before becoming a teacher, I enjoyed a career as a television writer and segment director in Los Angeles and New York. Writing on a daily basis for shows such as Geraldo, The CBS Morning Program and Hollywood Insider provided me with an appreciation for the importance of the written word, and a desire to instill in others a lifelong love of reading and writing. I enjoy few things more than working with students on an individual basis, passing the baton to help each child fulfill his or her potential as a writer.
(Member of National Council of Teachers of English, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce)
What do parents have to say about Young Writers in Bloom?
“My daughter Kate and I found out about Erin in a rather unique way. My Mother-in- Law was having her hair done and she listened to her hairdresser speak to a fun, smart, engaging woman. When my Mother-in -Law asked what she did for a living, she said she helps kids with their reading and writing. My mother-in-law immediately got her card for me and told me how warm, creative and caring she was and that I had to call her to help my high school daughter with her reading and writing. I called Erin and she was wonderful right from the start. My daughter loved working with Erin, and she always showed my daughter Kate a new and creative way to tackle her reading and writing issues. Kate's grades in English improved significantly and her confidence soared. Erin is fabulous and your child will love her!!!" – Mrs. H.
"My son would always have writer’s block when he had to create a written paper for class. It would be hours of frustration worrying about what to write, how to write it and panic would set in as he convinced himself that he wouldn’t have enough information to complete the assignment. Erin has instilled such a positive, internal confidence in my son that I now find him late at night writing a story he just has to finish! The ideas and the creative writing now just flow from him daily. He even has the ability to calmly break down a structured writing assignment with little or no frustration.
After many, many years of having a frustrated child wanting to get his ideas on paper, I now see a child who makes time daily to write down his thoughts and who continuously keeps a creative story in progress on his computer. "
- Mrs. W.
"Erin Bloom helped my daughter with several essays that she had to write for her English and History classes. Erin's clear and concise tutoring methods, and warm environment, made it informative and enjoyable for my daughter. Erin went above and beyond the call of duty in being helpful and instructive in aiding my daughter to complete her assignments. I would recommend Erin to any family that wants to ensure their child's academic success." - Mrs. R.
