Nalani Butler
Meet Nalani Butler - Expert ESL, English, Early Math & Spanish Tutor
Nalani Butler is a highly dedicated educator and University of Virginia graduate, holding both a Master of Arts in Media, Culture & Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Psychology. Based in Lorton, VA, Nalani brings extensive experience serving as a personal tutor, classroom tutor, instructional assistant, and teaching assistant for students ranging from preschool to the graduate level. With a strong background in child development and specialized education, Nalani is passionate about nurturing young minds and providing highly personalized support to her students.
Areas Of Expertise:
ESL (English as a Second Language): Highly experienced in delivering curriculum tailored to ESL students, actively enhancing classroom engagement and language comprehension. She has also served as a Moderator and Instructional Assistant at the UVA Center for American English Language & Culture.
English & Reading: Confident and experienced in tutoring English, providing targeted one-on-one sessions to help students master core language arts subjects.
Early Math & Geometry: Expert in building foundational math skills for young learners and providing comprehensive tutoring in Geometry.
Spanish: Offers expert tutoring in Spanish, backed by her Advanced Studies Diploma with Distinction in Biliteracy and experience conducting one-on-one Spanish tutoring sessions.
Law: Capable of tackling specialized subjects, including Law tutoring.
Grade Levels: Experienced in teaching students from preschool all the way to the graduate level, with a specialized comfort zone in tutoring Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Teaching Philosophy
"When a student is struggling with a concept, I have them walk me through their thinking step-by-step so we can see which parts of the question they understand and where they are getting stuck. I ask guiding questions to encourage them to think deeply through tough concepts, providing gentle corrections when necessary. Above all, I keep the student's thoughts at the center of the learning process—allowing them to work through the challenge themselves with structured support to build genuine comprehension, confidence, and independence."
What Makes Nalani Special:
Special Education & Behavioral Support: Currently serves as a Behavior Tech working with Autistic children. She previously worked as an IEP Instructional Assistant for an Early Childhood Special Education Program at Summit Elementary School, where she facilitated personalized one-on-one and small group interventions for students with diverse developmental, behavioral, and physical disabilities.
Holistic Child Development: With an academic background in Psychology and professional experience as a babysitter, tutor, and behavioral technician, Nalani is deeply committed to supporting holistic child development, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills.
University-Level Instruction: Served as a TA and Grader for a course in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Department at the University of Virginia, evaluating student work and providing constructive feedback.
Mentorship Experience: Served as a Graduate Tutor Mentor for America Reads, where she mentored prospective tutors to aid their transition into supportive teaching roles.
Creative & Advocacy Interests: Beyond the classroom, Nalani is passionate about writing children's books, mental health advocacy, and media and identity research.
Education & Achievements:
Master of Arts w/ Distinction in Media, Culture & Technology, University of Virginia (GPA: 3.93).
Bachelor of Arts w/ Distinction in Media Studies and Psychology, University of Virginia (GPA: 3.89).
Advanced Studies Diploma w/ Distinction in Biliteracy, Academics, and Service, Hayfield Secondary School (GPA: 4.0).