Drew M. Hodis

Hodis Learning & Music Celebrates 3 Years in Business! Message from the President

Hodis Learning & Music celebrates 3 years in business!

Hodis Learning & Music Celebrates 3 Years in Business!
Message from the President

Hodis Learning & Music celebrates 3 years in business!

This week, Hodis Learning & Music is celebrating three years of business! I am so proud of how much our team has accomplished since our second anniversary.


Upholding a Tradition of Excellent Service and Giving Back

Three years ago, my team and I developed Hodis Learning & Music upon a philosophy of kindness and expertise. Every decision that our company has made has stemmed from and further promoted this philosophy. Our tradition of excellent service is strong and spreading throughout the Pasadena area. Check out how far we’ve come since our first business anniversary!

We have continued our philanthropic endeavors. We believe strongly in giving back to the educational systems that our students go through to enrich their education. As such, we have continued to give 20% of our profits to SPEF and PEF.


Three New Programs

  • After two years of researching, developing, testing, and piloting, we officially opened our academic coaching program to the public in August of 2023.
  • Similarly, with a combined SAT tutoring experience of 30+ years, our team introduced a comprehensive and fully customized SAT Tutoring program.
  • Finally, in collaboration with homeschool experts, our team launched a cutting-edge K-12 homeschool education program that customizes at-home courses to students’ specific learning needs and preferences.

Consistent with our mission of making quality education accessible, we continued to optimize our business to keep our rates accessible for our services so that all students can enjoy exceptional educational services.


Our Expert Educators

Our expert tutors, music teachers, and art instructors are the backbone of our company. Our team of exceptional educators have helped give us a reputation of excellence and reliability in the community, and we are indebted to all of their hard work. Further, our team has grown substantially over the past year, helping to expand the number of subjects offered so we can serve more students in their academic, musical, artistic, and homeschool endeavors.


Trusted Collaborators

We are grateful for our trusted collaborators. Namely, we thank Nexusplex Business Production Agency and The South Pasadenan News for their help in building and advertising our company. Additionally, we are grateful for the partnership of SPEF and PEF, who have helped us to make a bigger impact on our community. Finally, we are grateful for the partnership of local school districts and organizations who have given us the opportunity to serve students in need.


Thank YOU!

Hodis Learning & Music would not be where it is today without our loyal clients and dedicated community of supporters. We are grateful for your business throughout the past three years. My staff and I look forward to continuing to serve you and our beautiful community in the coming years.

by
Rachel Hodis
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Women in STEM

Women in STEM

Women in STEM

Women in STEM

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the remarkable women who are making strides in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). We sat down with some of our own talented tutors who are actively engaged in these fields to hear their perspectives, challenges, and triumphs. 

About Some of Our STEM Tutors

  • Abby is a math tutor. She attended U.C. Santa Barbara where she received her B.S. in Statistics and Data Science and a B.A. in Feminist Studies. Her goal is to become a high school math teacher.
  • Amber is a math, biology, and chemistry tutor. During the day, she is a high school STEM teacher. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from USC.

When do you remember first being interested in your subject area?

As long as I can remember! In third grade, I vividly remember being extremely competitive in a multiplication game we would play in class. By the time I was in middle school, I knew I would be majoring in math in college and doing something with it with my career. – Abby S.

I was always very curious about science as a child, but the first time I considered studying engineering in college was during my high school physics class. I fell in love with the subject matter. – Amber H.

What has been your experience as a woman in a STEM field?

Growing up my parents and teachers were extremely supportive and encouraged me to pursue STEM. They had me taking accelerated courses and knew it was something that I excelled at.

It wasn’t until college when I saw a disproportionate number of women in STEM. While majoring in math at UCSB, I did not have a single female professor or TA for the first two years. A few times I felt that I wasn’t taken as seriously by some of the guys in my math courses.

When I switched to data science, to my surprise, I actually found some more women, both students and professors. There was a “Women in STEM” club at UCSB and some scholarships available. – Abby S.

I have been very lucky to have such a positive experience as a woman in STEM. My teachers in middle and high school actively encouraged my interests, which made me feel comfortable in STEM classes. In college, the women in my engineering program definitely looked out for each other. – Amber H.

Do you feel like your experience has changed over time?

I think that over time, the idea of “women in STEM” has been more promoted, but the actual practice still isn’t there – we still see major gender gaps in these careers and fields and gender bias in education and workplaces. I like to believe that the next generation will lessen those.

My personal experience with it has kind of come full circle as I felt encouraged during K-12, felt a bit to the side during college, but am now pursuing my math teaching credential where I hope to encourage all students to move forward with STEM and follow their passions. – Abby S.

In general, I think the tide is changing in the STEM field. For example, USC Viterbi School of Engineering (my alma mater) had an incoming class that was 49% women in 2023!

More women and girls are choosing to go into STEM fields, which means this generation of girls will have more support systems in their education and careers. – Amber H.

Why do you think it’s important for women to continue to pursue careers in STEM?

It is so important! For starters, you can only become what you see is possible so we need women in these positions now to inspire the next generation of girls and so on. Additionally, STEM fields are extremely important in how our world runs so we need diverse people in all of the spaces.

The people making big decisions in workplaces are the people who are then going to be properly represented in society. We need more women, especially more women of color, to be welcomed into these fields so all voices are heard and all people are being taken into consideration. – Abby S.

Women need to be in places where decisions are being made. When women are involved in medicine, chemistry, engineering, etc. our experiences can be reflected in the world around us.

When women are involved in the design process, we can ensure that the medicine we use is tested on bodies similar to ours, or that car crash tests account for differences between male and female bodies. – Amber H.

If there’s one piece of advice you could give to a young girl or woman interested in STEM, what would it be?

Find a female role model to follow and be the next role model for a girl looking up to you. – Abby S.

I would tell any girls or women in STEM fields to reach out to other women in their fields. Having other women around who can support you can make STEM fields less daunting. I relied a lot on the other women in my program for advice or guidance. – Amber H.

 

Sign Up for Science and Math Tutoring Today!

If your student is struggling in a STEM subject, reach out to start tutoring today. We offer all math and science courses at all grade levels. Learn more or schedule your first session by calling or emailing us today.

by
Rachel Hodis
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Educator Spotlight: Abby S.

Abby S. Educator Spotlight

Educator Spotlight: Abby S.

 

Abby S. Educator Spotlight

 

What subjects do you teach?

  • Academics: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calc, Calculus AB & BC, AP Statistics. Middle School Math, Elementary School Math

 
What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

The most rewarding part is when a student has a “light bulb moment”! Students will work so hard on a concept that is challenging to them and then suddenly you can see it click. They understand the concept, our hard work together has paid off, and I can see their confidence rising.


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in?

The most common mathematical area I see students struggling in is with real world problems or word problems. They know how to crunch the numbers, but get stuck when words are thrown in there. Students also struggle having the same confidence taking the test as they do during our sessions.


How do you help them improve in those areas?

Lots of practice and repetition is the best way to work on that. I tell my students to read the problem, figure out what it’s asking for, then locate what information given will help us get there. Above all, don’t freak out when you see a bunch of words! It’s not so scary after you have enough practice and know what to look for.

To help with test taking confidence, we often take practice tests together. I reinforce the importance of believing in themselves, having a positive mindset, getting a good night’s sleep, and treating the test just like the practice.


What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

Outside of teaching, I enjoy being with my friends and family, running, binging TV series, playing the daily Wordle, and crafts.


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music a great service and company to work for?

I love working for HLM because of the strong relationships between students, tutors, and the leadership team. Students and tutors are thoughtfully paired, and I love being able to adapt sessions for each individual student as I work with them longer. I have always felt fully valued and supported as a member of this team and am grateful to work with such awesome students under a stellar company I’m proud to represent.

 

Learn more about Abby.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

Educator Spotlight: Vaso K.

Vaso K Educator Spotlight

Educator Spotlight: Vaso K.

 

Vaso K Educator Spotlight

 

What subjects do you teach?

  • Music: Accordion, Piano, Trumpet, Composition, and Music Theory.

 
What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

I think it’s seeing the progress that my students can make, going from not having any skills to being quite good. And the confidence I see them gain is really rewarding.


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in?

I think it’s establishing a practice routine outside of lessons. Many students struggle with this, either because they’re intimidated by practicing by themselves, or they don’t know how to make time for it. When it comes to instruments, early on it can be discouraging if you think you sound bad, and that can reinforce not practicing. But you just have to remember that you’re learning!


How do you help them improve in those areas?

I try to provide structured approaches to practice to make it less of a mystery and a “repeat until it’s perfect” activity and more of a learning and experimental one. I give the students a thought process, and questions to ask themselves while practicing, along with specific goals to achieve.


What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

I enjoy going on walks in parks, jiu-jitsu, rock climbing, and cooking.


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music a great service and company to work for?

So far, it’s been the diversity of students, especially my accordion students!

 

Learn more about Vaso.

by
Rachel Hodis
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Educator Spotlight: Flora V.

Flora V. Educator Spotlight

Educator Spotlight: Flora V.

 

Flora V. Educator Spotlight

 

What subjects do you teach?

  • Art: Painting, Drawing, Illustration, Sculpture, Photography, Videography, Video Editing, Graphic Design, Portfolio Planning & Development
  • Academics: Art History, Creative Writing, Screenwriting

  • Music: Ukulele, Guitar

 
What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

The most rewarding part of being an educator is when my students express a desire to learn or practice a subject more! As an educator, it is my job to inspire enthusiasm, and I know I have succeeded when a student asks to spend more time experimenting, initiates a project, or shows a deeper curiosity about what we are learning.


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in? How do you help them in those areas?

Although all my students have unique strengths and weaknesses, the most common area I see them struggling in is their self-confidence. Many of my students are ambitious and highly creative, and with this, mistakes and self-doubt naturally occur.


How do you help them improve in those areas?

To help my students overcome issues with self-confidence, I encourage mistakes through playful experimentation and always ask them to analyze their work to discover areas of improvement. I find this helps them see that making mistakes is part of the process of learning and that their self-confidence should be determined by their desire to learn and grow!


What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

Outside of teaching, I enjoy making art, short films, and music; I always have a project or two I am working on in my free time. I also love to cook and take walks with my dog Dusty!


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music a great service and company to work for?

I love working for Hodis Learning & Music because they encourage dynamic and individualized education. I appreciate that HLM does not confine educators to a generalized lesson model, as this allows me to tailor each course I teach to my student’s needs. Additionally, I feel valued as an educator and part of a greater community at HLM!

 

Learn more about Flora.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

Homeschool Services by Hodis Learning & Music

Homeschool Services by Hodis Learning & Music

Homeschool Services by Hodis Learning & Music

Homeschool Services by Hodis Learning & Music

Hodis Learning & Music is excited to now offer homeschool services to students K-12. Learn more about what is included with homeschooling and discover if it might be the right choice for you and your student.


An Overview

Homeschooling can be conducted in one-on-one or small group settings. Students will receive instruction from expert educators who have studied their subject material at the university level, and have years of experience teaching students of all abilities, including both neurodiverse and neurotypical students. All common core school subjects are offered as well as art lessons and music lessons.

After signing up for classes, you’ll receive a customized curriculum for each subject based on your student’s goals, learning style, and how often you want lessons. Students will receive regular academic advising sessions to assess their progress and help them work toward their goals. Parents or guardians will receive regular progress reports to inform them how their student is performing.


Common Reasons Families Choose Homeschooling

  • An outstanding event has made attending a traditional school challenging
  • A student wants to pursue activities and interests outside of school and needs a more flexible education
  • Families are seeking an education that is different than what’s provided at a traditional school, such as:
    • Individualized attention and pacing
    • Customized lesson plans
    • Non-traditional assessments that prioritize learning over testing
    • Flexible scheduling and virtual instruction
    • Teachers who can work with neurodiverse students

It’s important to evaluate your student’s needs and goals. Our academic advisors are also happy to discuss our homeschooling program with you and help you determine if our program is the right fit for you and your student.

 

Tuition and Term Duration

For more information about homeschool rates, visit the homeschool tuition page on our website. Term durations are also listed, but keep in mind that Hodis Learning & Music offers flexible pacing depending on how frequently you’d like to meet and how your student progresses through the material.


Conclusion

Homeschooling with Hodis Learning & Music offers a nurturing, tailored, and comprehensive educational experience that empowers your child to reach their full potential. To learn more about homeschooling call or email us today!

 

 

by
Drew M. Hodis
, , ,

Services for Self-Determination Program Enrollees at Hodis Learning & Music

expert services for self-determination program clients

Services for Self-Determination Program Enrollees at Hodis Learning & Music

expert services for self-determination program clients

Is your student receiving support from the Department of Developmental Services’ Self-Determination Program (SDP)? It’s now easier than ever for SDP enrollees to work with Hodis Learning & Music! Learn more about why we may be a great fit for your student and how to get started with our services.

Is Hodis Learning & Music Right for My Student?

All of our expert educators are specifically selected for their years of experience working with students who have developmental differences as well as their expertise, patience, and kindness Our educators serve students with:

  • autism spectrum disorders,
  • intellectual disabilities,
  • cerebral palsy,
  • epilepsy, and
  • other related conditions.

What Types of Services Are Covered

We have experience providing academic tutoring, music lessons, and art instruction to SDP enrollees. However, which type(s) of services the SDP will cover for your student depends on your student’s specific needs. We can provide guidance based on our previous SDP students’ successes in obtaining coverage.

How It Works

If you’re enrolled in the SDP, then the process is simple!

  • The student’s family arranges with the regional center to have our services covered by the SDP
  • We sign a contract with the student’s financial management service (FMS)
  • The student’s family signs a contract with us
  • We submit timesheets to the FMS on a bimonthly basis on behalf of the student’s family

Additional Considerations

There are three important considerations detailed in the FMS’s contract with us:

  • The FMS only pays for services that fall under the scope of the contract that they send to us. So, if the original contract stipulated academic tutoring services, then your student cannot get music lessons covered by the SDP unless a new contract is drawn and signed.
  • The FMS only pays for services rendered. So, if a student cancels a session within 24 hours, then the student’s family is responsible for the full price of the canceled session.
  • The FMS designates a specific budget for the use of Hodis Learning & Music services. If the student uses more than the specified budget in a given month, then the student’s family is responsible for any overage.

Sign Up for Academic Tutoring, Music Lessons, or Art Instruction Today!

Learn more or schedule your first session by calling or emailing us today.

by
Hodis Learning Music

Hodis Learning & Music Continues to Support South Pasadena and Pasadena Educational Foundations

We proudly support SPEF & PEF!

Hodis Learning & Music Continues to Support South Pasadena and Pasadena Educational Foundations

We proudly support SPEF & PEF!

Hodis Learning & Music is proud to announce that we will be continuing our business alliance with the South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) and the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) in the 2023-2024 school year. We have been donating 20% of our net profits to both organizations (10% each) for the past two years, and we are committed to continuing our support.

About SPEF & PEF

SPEF and PEF are both non-profit organizations that work to improve the quality of education in South Pasadena and Pasadena, respectively. They provide funding for a variety of programs and initiatives, including teacher grants, scholarships, and after-school enrichment programs. Their work makes a real difference in the lives of students and families in our community.

Why We Donate to SPEF & PEF

We believe that education is the key to a brighter future, and we are committed to supporting organizations that are working to make a difference in the lives of young people. We are proud to partner with SPEF and PEF, and we look forward to continuing our support in the years to come.

The Fruit of Our Support

In the past two years, our donations to SPEF and PEF have helped to fund:

  • Teacher grants to support innovative teaching practices
  • Scholarships for students in need
  • After-school enrichment programs that provide students with opportunities to learn new skills and explore their interests
  • Technology grants that provide schools with the resources they need to stay up-to-date

Final Thoughts

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with SPEF and PEF, and we are confident that our continued support will help to make a positive impact on the lives of students in our community.

If you are interested in learning more about SPEF or PEF, or if you would like to join us in making donations, please visit their websites:

Sign Up for Academic Tutoring, Music Lessons, or Art Instruction Today!

Learn more or schedule your first session by calling or emailing us today.

by
Hodis Learning Music

Sale: 20% Off First 2 Sessions!

20% off your first 2 sessions

Sale: 20% Off First 2 Sessions!

20% off your first 2 sessions

Begin the school year with 20% off your first 2 sessions! Your first session must take place between August 20-September 20, 2023, so sign up ahead of time to make sure you lock in these limited-time prices!*

20% off your first 2 sessions - rates

Sign Up for Academic Tutoring, Music Lessons, or Art Instruction Today!

Learn more or schedule your first session by calling or emailing us today.

 

*Terms & Conditions: This offer is valid for new clients only. This offer is valid for all Hodis Learning & music services. This offer only applies to the first two sessions. In order to qualify, the first session must be conducted on or between August 20 and September 20, 2023. The first two sessions are billed on separate invoices, both of which are due at or before the time of service. Regular rates are assessed following the second session, where regular billing policies will take effect. A limit of three (3) students per household will be granted sales rates; additional students will be billed at regular rates.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

Educator Spotlight: Muan M.

Educator Spotlight: Muan M.

Educator Spotlight: Muan M.

 

Educator Spotlight: Muan M.

 

What subjects do you teach?

  • Academic Tutoring: AP Physics (Mechanics and Electromagnetism+Waves), Lower and Upper Division Physics (Solid State Mechanics, Thermodynamics, etc), Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus.

 
What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

For me, by far the most rewarding aspect of being an educator is the relationship that is fostered with not just each student, but their families as a whole. You learn about the struggles each family goes through and get to experience a wide variety of cultures and ways of life. That is what makes it so meaningful: the process of gradually understanding their difficulties and being able to help them from the inside out, watching the students grow, and sharing in the relief and pride of each wonderful family. It’s something really special.


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in? How do you help them in those areas?

I feel like a component of academic success that is oftentimes overlooked is the student’s confidence in their abilities. Obviously their aptitude is a major factor, but the goal should be to learn as much as possible. From that will come the ability to solve problems and get better grades. The thing to start with is getting students to really enjoy the process of learning and school in general, and that comes with confidence in their ability to figure things out. 

That is where I feel many of the students I have worked with have had their motivation stalled. They may have had a bad string of tests or had someone in their academic life disapprove of their efforts. Regardless of the reason for it, that lack of self-assurance is a very common issue, and one that everyone faces at some point. It just takes time, and sometimes someone (like an HLM tutor) to help you along the way sometimes.


How do you help them improve in those areas?

The first steps toward achieving confidence and the sort of upward spiral of enjoyment and ability are not complicated. It is a combination of a lot of things, but fundamentally, hard work will do wonders to start students on that path. It is important that hard work is met with results though, to start that positive feedback loop. When first starting out with a student, it’s of paramount importance that they feel as though they have control of what they’re doing. I think that’s really what the value of tutors and teachers in general are: to provide guidance and tailor material so that the proper difficulty balance is struck to keep the student motivated as well as learning.


What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

I graduated with my BS in physics last year and now spend a lot of my days pouring over math problems with students, so I’ve discovered some more artistic hobbies. I’ve recently gotten into making music (I have a synthesizer and everything, which is fun) and film production/editing. I love to read, mostly fantasy books at the moment, like The Kingkiller Chronicles. I also spend a lot of time either in the gym or playing pick-up basketball. It’s a nice balance.


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music a great service and company to work for?

I can honestly say that, over the course of my admittedly limited work experience, Hodis Learning & Music is the best company I’ve worked for thus far. Because it was founded and is based in the South Pasadena/Pasadena area, HLM is a very close-knit community of students, families, tutors, and school districts. It makes everything a bit more comfortable and easy. With this also comes an immense amount of experience with the California education curriculum. 

I also have to give props to the president of the company, Drew Hodis, and the rest of management. They run a really tight ship and make every effort to make it an easy process for us tutors and for the students and families. I’m really happy to be working for HLM!

 

Learn more about Muan.

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