“Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”
~ William Butler Yeats
About Me
Who am I? My name is Sherri Hughes, and I am a PA-certified English teacher who started my teaching career in an eighth grade classroom 30 years ago. Since then, I have taught my three girls from birth through high school graduation while tutoring and teaching kids of all grade levels in various settings, including co-ops and private classes. I love lesson planning, teaching, and learning. And I love children. Figuring out ways to capture their imaginations and cultivate their voices brings me joy!
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I am a member of the Reading Simplified Academy, a group of parents, teachers, and tutors who seek to bridge the gaps in reading instruction. I follow a streamlined pathway which helps students crack the reading code with simple activities.
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What can you expect from me? Excellence. Whatever I do, I do to the best of my abilities. Don’t worry—I’m not a stereotypical red pen-wielding, grammar book-thumping, worksheet-crazed, fastidious English teacher. I try to make the learning process applicable to the student, challenging, and fun.
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What do I offer? Classes, one-on-one tutoring, reading intervention, writing help, elementary math instruction, editing, and consulting.
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Where am I located? Souderton, PA
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I look forward to helping you and your student. Let me know when we can begin!
Whatever your goals, I can tailor lessons to your child, pre-K through middle school, in sessions of 30 minutes (after-school help) to two hours (homeschool support or summer enrichment). Students come to my home, where I have a learning space in my walkout basement. I also do sessions by Zoom. How might sessions look? Take a look at some of my students, past and present:
Student P, a seventh grade homeschooled boy, needed help with reading fluency. We met weekly to read chapter books and do enriching activities to strengthen his skills.
Students M and S, a sister duo, began working with me when they were 4 and 6. At the time, their mom wanted them to have rich literacy experiences. In the subsequent years, we completed various writing projects--special treasures they are proud to share.
Student N, a fifth grade homeschooled student, needed to firm up his multiplication skills. We played games and did fun activities to help multiplication make sense.
Student J was a fourth grader in private school who needed additional help with spelling. We met several times a week, 30 minutes each time, to build his spelling skills.
Many struggling readers come to me for a boost in their literacy skills. They quickly gain confidence as readers.
Student R is a sixth grader in public school. He needs extra help in reading and math. I've been helping him every day after school since he began first grade.
Five-year-old A spent five months with me, preparing for kindergarten. I taught him to read, and I worked with him on number sense, laying the foundation for a strong start in math.
Student R is a tenth-grade homeschooled girl who came to me for help with writing. I guided the writing process, giving her feedback on her work.
Student A, a boy with an IEP, came for 90 minutes each week to work on reading, writing, and math, supplementing what he was learning at public school.
During 2020, two siblings were my full-time students, coming to my home daily from 9:00-3:00.
Rates starting at $35 for 30 minutes, $50 for 45 minutes, or $60 for an hour,
depending on the age and the needs of the student.
Classes
Small classes available upon request
Editing
Are you working on an end-of-semester research paper? College application essay? A professional letter? Let me help in the revision process. Send your student’s (or your) writing to me for feedback. Using Word's review tools, I will ask questions, make suggestions, and give editing help to take your work to the next level.
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Rate: $30/hour
From Jake, a student: I miss being with you but am happy I’m doing good. Thank you for all your help! Miss you!
From Chloe, a student: Hi Mrs. Hughes! Thank you so much for talking to me on the phone yesterday. It really helped me understand what to do in this assignment. I have enjoyed it so much, and love having you as my writing mentor. No other writing mentor is as wonderful as you are.
From Alex, a student: Mrs. Hughes, you were my favorite teacher this year! Thanks for banging it into my head that I need to revise, revise, REVISE!
Kudos
From Mary, a student:
I didn’t know what to expect at all when I walked into your classroom…But then I got to know you. I got to experience first-hand how personal of a teacher you were…You let me express myself through my writing. You didn’t pack me into a neat, concrete box where I wasn’t allowed to stretch my imagination. I had my falters and fallings but you knew, and let me know, that it is only part of the learning process…I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
From Emma, a student: I have good news! I entered a local writing contest that l found out about at our homeschool group. I chose to enter the entry about Cystic Fibrosis l wrote while in your class. The prizes for 1st place were $25, a blue ribbon, and a certificate. The contest was for all of Chester County and for grades 4-6 to enter. Because I took your grammar classes, l won 1st place in the contest and am now moving on to the state level!!! Now I am thankful for the writing and grammar classes — Thank you!
From Catherine, a parent: I really appreciate you for what you have done for Sarah. She has learned a lot from you.
From Cassie, a student: Thank you SO MUCH for all you did this year Mrs. Hughes. You are a really fun, awesome, helpful, encouraging teacher!!
From Connie, a parent: You crack me up. I was reading your homework doc. to [child’s name] yesterday. You’re so cute! Thanks for making me laugh and relating so well to my son.
From Rachel, a student: From the Acknowledgements of her published book Finding Faith: Mrs. Hughes…my 10th grade English teacher…I don’t know what to say, I really don’t think I would be where I am right now without all that you have taught me. You taught me that editing something numerous times doesn’t mean it’s bad, it makes it better! You have stretched me and encouraged me to do better because you knew I could. Thank you for everything!
From John, a parent: Thank YOU for working with the girls this fall. They found it rigorous but very enjoyable. I think that’s a perfect balance in education.
From Elisabeth, a student: Thanks for being an awesome teacher Mrs. Hughes!!
From Bethany, a parent: PARENTS...if your kids are struggling with school and you need some help do yourself a favor and hire THE BEST aka Sherri! I promise you will not be disappointed in the results!
Reed has been tutoring one on one with her everyday after school for 4 years now and Quinn has so much fun learning with Sherri she asks for gift certificates to her for Christmas and Birthday gifts as she doesn't get to go everyday but wants to so bad!
My Credentials
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1990: Graduated from college with a B.A. in English Education
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Active Pennsylvania teaching certificate
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1991-1995: Taught English Language Arts to 8th-grade private school students
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1996-2018: Homeschooled my three daughters from birth through high school.​​​​
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Michaiah (28): MSHS in Physician Assistant Studies, George Washington University​; BS in Kinesiology, Temple University; currently a Physician Assistant at Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD.
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Janessa (26): BA with double major in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences and Spanish, Temple University; Fulbright Research Scholar to Jordan (cancelled due to Covid); currently a graduate student at Temple University, studying speech and language pathology.
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Rebekah (24): Graduate of Institute of American Musical Theatre in New York City; currently a care coordinator and physical therapy technician at SPEAR Physical Therapy in New York City
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2004-present: Teaching and tutoring preschool, elementary, middle, and high school students
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Revised and edited many papers
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Other current or recent roles​
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Independent contractor for Reading Simplified
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Copy-editor for seeJesus Press
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Developmental editor for Secrets of the Kingdom and Esther: For Such a Time As This, curricula for people with intellectual disabilities, seeJesus Press
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seeJesus trainer and facilitator for the Person of Jesus study
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Small group leader for CalvaryKids at Calvary Chapel Central Bucks
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