Getting Started
Getting Started
Homeschooling: PBS Tips for Getting Started - Interested in homeschooling, but not sure where to start? This article from PBS offers you 4 tips on how to get started.
Homeschooling in Illinois
Illinois State Board of Education - States and counties have their own requirements for homeschooling. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) have put together their most frequently asked questions and resources here.
Home School Legal Defense Association - Learn about this nonprofit advocacy organization that provides education and support to parents who want to homeschool their family. It also offers legal information on the consitituional rights of their parents to direct their child's education.
Reviews for Online Homeschool Programs - If you are considering an online option for your child's homeschooling experience, compare reviews for online homeschooling programs with Consumer Affairs
Typical Course Study from WorldBook - If you are wondering what a typical course of study might look like for your child's grade, World Book has curriculum guides for preschool to 12th grade. Each grade is broken down by subjects, such as mathematics, language arts, and science.
Resources at Gail Borden Public Library District
Gail Borden Public Library Catalog - Check out the homeschooling resources provided by the library.
Books and Personalized Recommendations - Need help selecting great reads for your kids? Get a curated book list by filling out this form.
Museum Passes - Your library card gives you free admission or a special discounted rate to local museums and attractions. See what is available and how to get your passes.
Scholastic Teachables - Get unlimited access to printable activities, skill sheets, and other resources.
Are you looking for a private tutor?
Gail Borden Public Library staff maintain this list of local tutors. If you are a tutor and would like to be included, please contact Deborah Roycroft at droycroft@gailborden.info.
Please Note: The Gail Borden Public Library, its staff and management do not endorse or approve any individual or service included in this list of private tutors. In addition, the Gail Borden Public Library provides library district residents free use of Live Homework Help from Tutor.com. |
To set up appointments, contact the tutor of your choice.
Name: Sandy Anlar
Phone: 630-631-3174
E-mail: sandyanlar03@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Bachelors in Biology and Masters in Biochemistry.
Ages/Grades you tutor: Middle School, High School and College
Areas of interest or specialty: General Biology, Environmental Biology, Ecology, Human Anatomy/Physiology, Microbiology, Geology, Chemistry, Biochemistry.
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 20 years both K-12 (all levels) and college (all levels) including STEM curriculum.
Times available for tutoring sessions: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Evenings: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Weekends: Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Fee: $55 an hour
Name: Maggie Andrews
Phone: 765-543-7542 (text)
E-mail: Contact@BuffTutor.com
Qualifications, including certification information: B.S. & M.S. In Chemical & Biological Engineering from Purdue University.
Ages/Grades you tutor: K-College
Areas of interest or specialty: Algebra, Trig, Geometry, Precalc, Calculus 1-3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English/Writing, Spanish, French, Astronomy, Anatomy, Physiology.
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 15+ years teaching/tutoring experience: college teaching assistant & tutor (2003-2008). Founded the BuffTutor Network in 2009 and continued to tutor as well as connect students with other experienced and passionate tutors.
Times available for tutoring sessions: Flexible
Fee: Negotiable
Website: www.BuffTutor.com
Name: Debbie Efflandt
Phone: 847-456-2743 (texting okay)
E-mail: defflandt6@aol.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Licensed substitute teacher in Kane County; Daily substitute teacher for U-46; Bachelor Degree from DePaul University.
Ages/Grades you tutor: 6-12
Areas of interest or specialty: Middle School Math, Algebra, Geometry.
Experience with teaching and tutoring: I have 10+ years of teaching/mentoring experience with a variety of ages and skill sets.
Times available for tutoring sessions: Early evenings, weekends.
Fee: $40 per hour
Name: Hanover Township Youth & Family Services
Phone: 630-483-5799
Website: www.hanover-township.org
Eligibility and Requirements: Student must live in Hanover Township (the Cook County portion of Bartlett, Streamwood, Hanover Park, Elgin, Schaumburg or Hoffman Estates) and must currently be in grades 2 through 9. Out-of-Township residents, please call 630-483-5799 for more information.
Name: Katie Hernacki
Phone: 847-650-4986
E-mail: katiehernacki@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: B.S. Mathematics Education, Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Initial Secondary Teaching license
Ages/Grades you tutor: 6th-12th, college, adults
Areas of interest or specialty: Math, SAT/ACT prep, statistics, pre-algebra, algebra 1 and 2, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, college level math courses, math placement exam prep
Experience with teaching and tutoring: High school math teacher (12 years), tutoring 17 years
Times available for tutoring sessions: Monday through Thursdays and Saturday mornings
Fee: $55 per hour, negotiable
Other: www.KLHtutoring.com, available online or in person
Name: Blue Hovatter
Phone: 970-581-1255
E-mail: TheMathMan@gmail.com; website: IncredibleMathTutor.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Professional private math tutor for 20+ years. 120+ 5-Star Google Ratings
Ages/Grades you tutor: Middle School, High School, College
Areas of interest or specialty: High School and Middle School math, AP Calculus, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, Calculus
Times available for tutoring sessions: 9am-6pm Monday-Friday
Fee: $75/hr
Name: Michele Jaanimagi
Phone: 224-465-2515
E-mail: mjaani1@yahoo.com or michelejaanimagi@u-46.org
Qualifications, including certification information: Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education (k-9); Master's Degree in Instruction and Techology, Learning Behavioral Specialist, and Middle School Endorsement.
Ages/Grades you tutor: K-9; also I tutor students with alltypes of learning needs (ADHD, ADD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Specific Learning Disability, etc.)
Areas of interest or specialty: Middle School Math (algebra, geometry), Middle School Science, Elementary School (k-9)-math, reading, writing, science
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 12 years Special Education Teacher; 5 years middle school math/science teacher; and 3 years 3rd/4th grade; Over 4 yeas of tutoring experince. etc.
Times available for tutoring sessions: Tutoring available 7 days a week.
Fee: $40/hr, discount for multi-sessions
Name: Shelley Johnson
Phone: 847-293-8258
E-mail: shelleyjohnson3@yahoo.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Bachelors in Math and Computer Science, Masters in Teaching, certified to teach middle school and high school math.
Ages/Grades you tutor: Middle school, High school, and some college.
Areas of interest or specialty: Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra 2, Pre-Calc, Calc, Calc 2, Geometry, ACT and SAT prep.
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 20+ years of tutoring experience in all areas of math; 10+ years of test prep tutoring; I've taught math for 3 years at the high school level and currently teach at a middle school; I teach ACT and SAT prep classes at ECC and Waubonsee Community College.
Times available for tutoring sessions: weekends and some weeknight evenings
Fee: Negotiable
Name: Margaret Lesniak
Phone: 630-849-1591
E-Mail: molendalesniak@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics secondary education; Master of Science in Education, Educational Psychology
Ages/Grades you tutor: 6-12
Areas of interest or specialty: Middle and High School Mathematics
Experience with teaching and tutoring: Middle School and Highschool Math teacher, private tutor for 20+ years
Times available for tutoring sessions: Weekday evenings and weekends
Fee: $50.00 an hour
Name: Stephanie Ochoa
Contact: https://tutoringwithstephanie.com/
Qualifications, including certification information: IB diploma, high school salutatorian with 6.0 GPA, studied molecular biology at Princeton University; 800 SAT Verbal, 800 SAT II Math Level 2, 169 GRE Quant, 5 AP Chemistry, 5 AP Biology, 5 AP Calculus; 200+ 5-star ratings -- "My kids literally only love you and feel you are the smartest and best teacher they know."
Ages/Grades you Tutor: middle school, high school, college/postbac
Areas of interest or specialty: personalized tutoring and study skills coaching for math and science (algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, trigonometry, precalculus, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics, Calculus 1 and 2, intro biology, intro chemistry, AP Chemistry, intro physics, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, college gen chem, college intro stats, college intro to programming in Python or Java) -- "My daughter literally said, 'I have aha moments when Stephanie explains chemistry.'"
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 20 years' experience peer tutoring, volunteer tutoring, professional tutoring -- "Stephanie is excellent at breaking things down to determine patterns and what the question is really asking. I haven't tried other tutors, but I don't need to. She is the best!"
Times available for tutoring sessions: 11 AM - 11 PM, U.S. Central Time, 7 days a week, year-round
Fee: you can choose your path to a report card that makes you smile, starting at $97/month
Website: https://tutoringwithstephanie.com/
Name: Mitva Patel (Founder of Learn to Learn Tutors)
Phone: 224-276-0972
E-mail: learntutoringservices@gmail.com Summer Classes ($20 per hour): SAT Prep, ACT Prep, Coding for Beginners, Study Skills Workshop, Public Speaking Workshop, Finance Basics for Teens, Summer Writing Workshop
Qualifications, including certification information: Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, 8 years of tutoring experience. 4.8 rating on Varsity Tutors, a perfect 5.0 rating from a Chicago-based private tutoring company
Ages/Grades you Tutor: Grade 1-12, College
Areas of interest or specialty: Math, Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and more), AP Course, Test Prep (ISEE, SAT, ACT, GED, PSAT, SAT II) Enrichment for younger kids (coding, engineering, entrepreneurship, and much more)
Experience with teaching and tutoring: Since 2015, private tutoring with varsity tutors, a private Chicago tutoring company, and Learn to Learn Tutors.
Times available for tutoring sessions: Flexible. Call or email for availability
Fee: $55-$70 per depending on the subject, discount available for prepaid multi-hour packages, group tutoring at a discounted rate.
Website: https://www.learntolearntutors.com/
Name: Stephanie Peto
Phone: 847-989-3950
E-mail: results4reading@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: I am a certified elementary teacher, with a minor in Spanish. I am also a certified dyslexia tutor (Barton Reading and Spelling).
Ages/Grades you tutor: K-6
Areas of interest or specialty: Dyslexia tutoring.
Experience with teaching and tutoring: I have 21 years of teaching/tutoring experience. I have worked with a variety of ages, skill sets, ability levels and special needs.
Times available for online only tutoring sessions: After school hours, summer
Fee: Negotiable
Name: Fariz Sarfaraz
Phone: 224-468-9298
E-mail: farizsarfaraz55@gmail.com
Qualifications, including Software Engineering from Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan (With a GPA of 3.21).
Ages/Grades you tutor: 5-10
Areas of interest or specialty: Basic to Advanced Mathematics, Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus. English language, Basic Science subjects.
Times available for tutoring sessions: After 5:30 pm Monday-Friday; 9:00 am-5:00pm Saturdays.
Fee: $40 an hour.
Name: David Sexauer
Phone: 331-223-0769
E-mail: dsexauer827@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, 8 years of tutoring experience. 4.8 rating on Varsity Tutors, a perfect 5.0 rating from a Chicago-based private tutoring company
Ages/Grades you tutor: 1-12, College
Areas of interest or specialty: Math, Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and more), AP Courses, Test Prep (ISEE, SAT, ACT, GED, PSAT, SAT II), Enrichment for younger kids (coding, engineering, entrepreneurship, investing and much more)
Experience with teaching and tutoring: Since 2015, private tutoring with varsity tutors, a private Chicago tutoring company, and Learn to Learn Tutors.
Times available for tutoring sessions: Flexible. Call or email for availability
Fee: $55-$70 per hour depending on the subject, discount available for prepaid multi-hour packages, group tutoring at a discounted rate
Website: Learn to Learn Tutors
Name: Julieann Trowbridge Shourie
Phone: 713-397-0900
E-mail: trowbridgetutoring@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: I am a certified teacher, training to be a dyslexia therapist and getting an Special Education endorsement. Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia - 86 hours of class, First year of implementation; 3/5 of LBS 1 Special education Endorsement; Bachelor of Science in Education; Certified K-8 teacher; IMSE Orton Gillingham trained; Responsive Classroom trained
Ages/Grades you tutor: Elementary K-8
Areas of interest or specialty: Take Flight Dyslexia Therapist in Training, Math, Reading, Science of Reading based Instruction
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 4 years as a classroom teacher, 14 years as a substitute teacher, 4 years as a reading and mathematics tutor
Times available for tutoring sessions: Monday - Sunday
Fee: $45 an hour
Name: Ilya Sobolevsky
Phone: 224-707-0461 (text preferred)
E-mail: ilyasobole@yahoo.com
Qualifications, including certification information: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Bachelor of Science (B.S.): Chemistry, Minor: Materials Science and Engineering (polymer specialty). Tutoring/teaching experience for 10+ years in K-12 and adult student settings.
Ages/Grades you tutor: K-12, college undergrad, continuing education/adult learners.
Areas of interest or specialty: ACT & SAT test prep (all sections), AP and Honors courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, economics (micro and macro), and biology. General subject tutoring at K-12 levels. Physics, engineering, chemistry, math through multivariable calculus and linear algebra.
Experience with teaching and tutoring: Teaching various subjects as a private instructor since 2009. Clients have included individuals and institutions (example: Tutor.com, A-Grade-Ahead, Mathnasium, and others). Span of tutoring is K-12, with focus on ACT/SAT test prep and AP subject instruction. Prominent focus on adult learners encompassing GED completion, graduate school preparation, undergraduate degree completion (example: recent experience helping a client to complete Nursing degree/certification). Can help with continuing education in various fields. Experience in special-ed (dyslexic) education.
Times available for tutoring sessions: In-person: Sundays: 7AM – 9PM. (subject to change, contact for possible other in-person available times). Online (via Teams, Zoom, or Webex) available most days throughout the day and night. Contact for specific details as availability may vary from week to week. Other times/dates may be available upon request.
Fee: - K-8: $32 per hour. 9-12 (high school): $37 per hour. (This includes ACT/SAT test prep, AP and Honors subject tutoring). College undergrad, grad school prep: $40-55 per hour, depending on subject complexity. Continuing education and other: $32 - $55 per hour, depending on subject complexity. Online session discount: $5/hour discount from regular posted prices.
Name: Susan Stephan
Phone: 773-218-5371
E-mail: susanstephan413@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Master's Degree in Reading, Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, Reading Specialist- certified K through 12, Endorsements in English as a Second Language, Reading, Middle School, and Music, Golden Apple Award Winning Teacher, National Board Certified in Reading
Ages/Grades you tutor: Kindergarten through 5th grade
Areas of interest or specialty: Reading, Early Literacy Skills, Math Foundations, Early Writing Skills
Experience with teaching and tutoring: 26 years of teaching experience- Kindergarten through third grade - 10+ years of tutoring experience with available references
Times available for tutoring sessions: flexible during summer months; late afternoon/early evening and weekends during the school year
Fee: $50/hour
Name: Rosie Stone
Phone: 630-653-7370
E-mail: rosi104062@aol.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Type 03 for K-9. LSBI-Special Ed K-12
Ages/Grades you tutor: K-8th
Areas of interest or specialty: Special Ed. Language Arts and Social Science (Middle School)
Experience with teaching and tutoring: Taught for 5 years, tutored for 25 years
Times available for tutoring sessions: Flexible
Fee: $35.00 an hour
Name: Tom Wisnieff
Phone: 405-488-5116 (yes I'm in Elgin, IL)
E-mail: tjwisnieff@gmail.com
Qualifications, including certification information: Retired, Ph.D.(Chemistry), MBA with
25 years in financial analysis of numerous industries. I have tutored at 4th grade to college levels for 10 years +. I am quite flexible in finding a practical teaching approach suitable to each student and I have the practical knowledge to keep it interesting.
Ages/Grades you tutor: Middle School, High School
Areas of interest or specialty: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Composition (English), American History
Times available for tutoring sessions: Monday-Saturday very flexible hours.
Zoom or study rooms at libraries near Elgin, IL.
Fee: $35/hr for 1 student or $50/hr for a compatible pair of students
(Some of these books will be located in the Early Learning Center (Parenting Shelf), and some are in the Adult Non-Fiction Section Upstairs. Click on the title to find the location.)
The Parent Shelf is located just opposite the craft area in the Early Learning Center. This collection contains helpful books on child rearing, dealing with behavior problems, games, party planning, craft ideas and more.
The baby book : everything you need to know about your baby--from birth to age two / William Sears - The "baby bible" of the post-Dr. Spock generation, already embraced by hundreds of thousands of American parents, has now been revised, expanded, and brought thoroughly up-to-date -- with the latest information on everything from diapering to day care, from midwifery to hospital birthing rooms, from postpartum nutrition to infant development.
What to Expect the First Year - Bestselling guide to caring for baby features updated cultural references and new material that brings more in-depth coverage to issues such as newborn screening, home births, sleep problems, SIDS, returning to work, and much more. Illustrations.
1 2 3 Magic - This proven bestseller addresses the difficult task of child discipline with humor, keen insight and proven experience.
The Happiest Baby on the Block - In this eye-opening handbook, Dr. Karp gives parents a fascinating look at what their babies are going through as they adapt to the world. He shows that most crying babies can be calmed as quickly as switching off a light . . . if parents know how.
Baby Signs - Based on 20 years of research, this one-of-a-kind classic shows you how to encourage your baby's use of nonverbal gestures to enhance communication. Simple hand movements signify objects, events, and needs, so your infant can enjoy interactions with you that otherwise would have been impossible until they could talk.
The everything cooking for baby and toddler book / 300 Delicious, Easy Recipes to Get Your Child Off to a Healthy Start - The Everything[Registered] Cooking for Baby and Toddler Book is the perfect tool to help you create a balanced, natural diet that your little one will actually enjoy! With more than 300 recipes to choose from, you can make meals for your baby using a wide variety of healthy fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish.
The no-cry potty training solution : gentle ways to help your child say good-bye to diapers - From bestselling parenting author Pantley comes a potty-training plan that is foolproof and easy to implement. Her potty training solutions are realistic, as they have been tested by actual families in every childrearing situation.
Serving children K-8th grade and their parents/caregivers.
The Youth Center serves children in kindergarten through 5th grade.
The Middle School Zone, which is located within the Youth Center, serves children and teens in sixth through eighth grades.
The Early Learning Center (ELC) serves children from birth to kindergarten and their caregivers. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.