We get letters...

Ann recently received a letter of gratitude for tutoring she did at Rancho Santiago Community College. Click here to read it.

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next>

Hello There:

I have recently returned to Southern California after 10 year working as an actor in New York City. One of the people I wanted to get in touch with when I arrived was my old SAT teacher and personal mentor, Ann Litvin. I didn’t think she would remember me amongst the thousands of other people she had worked with over the years. Nevertheless, I left a message with my name and number to call.

Ann called back the very next day, and surprised me by remembering details about when I had been her student. Somehow she even remembered how she had helped me improve about 350 points on my SAT, which was one of the instrumental factors in gaining my admission to Stanford.

It was great to reconnect. I wanted her to know that she had been one of the important influences, who figured prominently in how my life and career have turned out. It isn’t even the score improvement that stands out so much for me. It was the kind of true support and unflagging uplifting I got every time I dealt with her. This woman cared about me personally and encouraged me constantly to follow whatever path rang true for my life despite what anyone else might think or say. I am so grateful for her wisdom, guidance and sunshiny personality.

I highly recommend Ann as she has a dynamic personality and the gift of extraordinary tutoring skills. Ann’s helped so many people get awesome results, and she always has kind words to help give you pride and keep your spirits up.

Best luck,
Barney Cheng
www.barneycheng.tv

<Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next>

Hi Ann,

Have I got incredible news! Recently, I started opening the all-familiar blue emblemed envelope in the mailbox and my heart skipped a beat. I had an awful feeling go through my body and the vision I was going to be seeing another low score on the CBEST math again even though I was just 1 point off. So… I opened it slowly and prayed. I broke down and CRIED. Would you believe I actually PASSED that mean old test! I thought I was a smart person yet I landed up having to take that rotten CBEST eight times previously. Even my five year old son James seemed to sense over all the past year I was constantly stressed over this test. I guess I had let some of those feelings out on the children.

What made the difference between “life and death,” “pass and fail” (after all, these are almost all the same feeling) - this time for me? I think one important answer is that you personally instilled in me the ability to push past all my fears, past failures and lifelong lack of math knowledge and allowed me to believe that I could pass this time. Then you taught me all those simple little baby and fun strategies that I could so easily understand. This al helped what previously seemed impossible turn into something that was well within my abilities to accomplish so comfortably.

Keep in mind I am not any kind of lazy, unbusy person to start with. I had been working full time at the same time even bouncing back and forth between two teaching colleges. National and Cal State Fullerton, also managing my two sweet little kids and one big man when I cam to you that night desperately begging for help. Oh yes, one more thing: That was also only just three days before the actual CBEST exam. What a miracle we did together and in only ONE simple math lesson. It gives me the chills thinking about it. You thought I could use one more session to tighten it all up but there just wasn’t enough time. (Can you imagine what might have happened if I did take that lesson? Instead of the incredible 44 I’m so proud I did get, I believe in my heart I might even have been able to reach a 50; delusions of grandeur?) Remember to now, I was never able to beat anything going beyond the mid 30’s! I confess I’m even impressed with myself now, and my faith in my ability to forge ahead in new challenges is restored and reinforced.

Feel free to have any of you angry, disillusioned and head-into-the -ground desperate teachers call me: 714-671-1022 and I’ll tell them with great enthusiasm that it’s really easier than they think. Take it from me! Ann, you and your wonderful tutors really taught me an unexpected lesson about learning to believe in your natural abilities to perform, which can turn all those previous years of failures into a resounding instant success. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

<Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next>

This acknowledgement letter should have been written some time ago. I’ve been in a great mood but I guess I did not prioritize so at least let me make up for that now. What a journey it was since I first came to Litvin for SAT preparation. I can vividly remember when I received my original SAT scores in the mail how devastated, depressed, and down I was all at the same time. I thought to myself, “What in the world am I going to do?” I couldn’t imagine writing down a 990 on my first SAT or even speaking it. I knew I had to take action but was pretty frozen in how to proceed. Perhaps it was a latter day miracle, but I can’t tell you how happy that I was ultimately referred to Ann for SAT support.

I remember that a lady with a loving voice answered the phone and I immediately knew she was who I was going to come to for help. We talked for about an hour, she contemplated my entire situation, and then arranged a later meeting. That meeting was amazing, she just wasn’t your typical SAT tutor, and believe me no one has more experience than I to know that! I found myself surrounded by wisdom and genuine love from this woman and her tutors. She counseled that things would surely change once I made commitment to work hard but that first I had to believe that I could make a substantial improvement. So I returned several times and the personal attention I received proved beyond beneficial to my growth. They offered me great tips, taught me awesome strategies that made sense, and most of all, gave me the confidence to improve my score.

Several months later I took the SAT again and to my absolute shock, I scored an awesome 300 points improvement over my previous scores. I was truly amazed but I knew who I owed so much of this to -- Mrs. Litvin. I now want to pronounce how thankful I am to have me someone like Ann with such a gift of academics, great perceptiveness and teaching ability. Not only did she help me surpass my previous scores -- and that turned out to be not even a very tedious process -- but she also taught me about life and about the world around me, so much more than I could possible have learned from drilling in a small white room on vocabulary words for the dictionary. Ann made me realize that I could do anything I put my mind to and believe I could achieve what many others find impossible.

By the way, I am proud to let you know the greatest news I recently received which adds to my positive mood (and reminded me I needed to send this letter). Thanks also to the awesome improvement I got on the SAT, I’ve been accepted to University of Pennsylvania, a fabulous Ivy League University and I’m off to attend in just a few months. And………… to that previous SAT disemboweling coach who literally judged that the best I could ever improve tops would be max 100 points and maybe get me into UC Riverside, this one’s for you, ha ha! And if you want to hear all the details, just ask Ann for my number, or you can call: (714) 364-7241. Thanks Ann. I promise I won’t lose track of you when I get to college.

Modupe Sonuyi

Fairmont High

<Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next>

Dear Ann,

Thank you for your assistance in my CBEST preparation particularly in the reading section that I was so concerned about. Remember that I came to you only a few days before my test. I would like you to know that I made an amazing score change that I want to share with you.

It turns out that once I completed those two intensive sessions of reading lessons with your tutors, I still could not appreciate the importance you were trying to get across to me of classifying the reading questions in advance according to the three types, Literal, Logical and Critical. In truth, I found the idea confounding and confusing. I just could not find a way to apply this using my own common sense, so when I took the actual test itself, I got a non-passing score of 33 in the reading. BUT you will be happy to know by the next test date, I re-took the exam and doubled my reading score to 61 points!

For the benefit of your future test takers, may I share what actually helped me make that enormous difference. First, I had to appreciate and accept in my mind that It really was the most important thing to classify the questions into those three “types”. Truly I couldn’t come to grips with that when I first learned the material. It just seemed frivolous and time wasting.

What IS being asked? For example is it the author’s implied opinion or is it just a literal question that needs to be drawn almost verbatim from the passage itself? Second I then had to do the hard practice of actually classifying questions into those types. I took new notes, reviewed past ones and then once I noticed my practice scores were improving, my confidence began to rise. Believe me I worked harder I feel on this than on any other challenge in my life. It was thrilling that once that happened, the correct answers were “bolder” compared to the rest of the choices. I was amazed.

So again much thanks to you and for your very clear professional knowledge and inner wisdom you shared with me and to myself for my taking on what felt like and impossible challenge and winning. I don’t think I could ever have achieve this on my own and I feel my life is improved for all this. I wish you and your friendly tutors continued success.

Sincerely yours,

Vic Gabriel

<Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next>

Dear Ann,

Prior to taking the MSAT, I heard how difficult it was to pass the first time. So I wasn’t too surprised when I didn’t pass my first attempt. Although I didn’t pass, I thought that by studying more, I would surely pass the next time. I purchased more books, and I felt they would surely help me to reach the passing score of 311. As you know, my first score was 293. After taking the MSAT for the 2nd time, I felt that it was a lot harder than the first time. When I received my results, I was devastated to find out that I didn’t pass again.

By now I was desperate to find a class or seminar to help me pass. I was determined to pass on my next attempt. At this point I felt like the dumbest person alive. I called Cal Poly Pomona to see if they offered a class, but they didn’t. They instead gave my your information upon which I called to set up an appointment.

I have never attended any kind of tutoring before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found the first tutoring very helpful and insightful. We went over Science and Social Studies questions, as well as strategies that would help me answer questions correctly, even though I may not know the answer. I have never taken any test taking strategy courses before, so needless to say I was fascinated. The sessions taught me to first attempt the easier questions, then to focus on the more difficult ones. I also learned to work with what I know, to use the knowledge I posses to formulate my answer.

The session that really helped to boost my score was the writing session. Writing does not come easy to me. I figured that any strategy that could help me with my written responses, would probably help me to bring up my score on that section of the test. The writing tutoring section taught me to write my answer in the first few sentences, in a clear and concise format. It also taught me to focus on my answer, and to make sure that I was answering the question being asked. It was also recommended that I answer all the easy questions firs, which I did.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I received the test results. My score was 315! I was so excited! I especially couldn’t believe that my written response score had increased by 12 points! Of course I owe it all to you and your tutors. You taught me that there is a strategy on taking this test, and you certainly know what they are. I only wish that I would have found you sooner. I would have passed the first time!

I can’t thank you enough! I highly recommend your tutoring to anyone struggling with any test!

Sincerely,

Madeline Atilano

<Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Back to Top>

Dear Ann:

I wanted to take the time to express my total appreciation, and gratitude. Not only to you, but to all of your wonderful staff, i.e. John, Jeff, and Linda. All of you were awesome! Because of your support, patience, love, and determination to see me succeed I grew from a person with very low self esteem and faith in myself to someone who can with wide grin say, “I passed the CBEST.”

Before I called you, I had already taken the test at least six or seven times, took a variety of CBEST workshops through the Capistrano District and National University, and was ready to give up and consider seeking a totally different career path for myself. After numbers of job interviews and substantial soul searching, I made the decision again to commit myself 110% to the field of teaching. So I enrolled in school for my teaching credential even though I have not yet passed the CBEST at this time. I thought at least this way, my dream of being a teacher might bring me a little bit closer.

I then found your flyer at the National campus and with much trepidation I gave you a call. After listening to you on the phone and thinking about it, I really did not want to drive that far for a tutor, considering I live not nearby in Lake Forest. But after a few days of cockiness and sleepness nights though, I called you back to set up an appointment… to check you out. After a couple of unsure sessions with John and Jeff, the wall that I had put up started to melt and with their persistence (J&J) I actually began to understand math. My confidence slowly started to rise.

The week came for me to take my test. Everyone knew I was ready and knew I could pass, including myself. We even had a little party of sorts one afternoon. I remember you gave my lucky rainbow pencil with a silver unicorn on it, which I still keep, to point me in the direction of the correct answer, to remind me of where I came from. Friday night came and well, I over-psyched myself out and fell apart. Wen I called right after the test in tears and told you I have just “blown it” you very lovingly reminded me that if I hadn’t passed, it wasn’t at all because I didn’t have the know-how, it was because my emotions got the best of me. “Just brush yourself off,” you said”… and get back in there next time.” And of course I listened to you, so I came and practiced almost every day. I felt more comfortable coming more often. So after many days of blood, sweat, ant tears the next testing day arrived. I was ready again but this time, I wasn’t going to let anything, not any thing get in the way. I had with me my lucky pencil, my “best guess letter of the day,” and my big smile. I took a lot of deep breaths and guess what? I took off like a rocket. I whipped my reading score from 38 to 43, jolted my math from 32 to 41, and zoomed from 39 to 47 on essays, an amazing increase of 22 points.

<Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Back to Top>

Click here to see the community service resolution that was awarded to Ann by the North Orange County Community College District Community Services Department.