Matthew
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Texas A&M International University - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Graduate Degree: Texas State University-San Marcos - Master of Arts, Political Science and Government
SAT Verbal: 720
Swimming, singing, rock-climbing
10th Grade Reading
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Writing
12th Grade Reading
12th Grade Writing
1st Grade Writing
2nd Grade Writing
3rd Grade Science
3rd Grade Writing
4th Grade Science
4th Grade Writing
5th Grade Science
5th Grade Writing
6th Grade Science
6th Grade Writing
7th Grade Science
7th Grade Writing
8th Grade Science
8th Grade Writing
9th Grade Reading
9th Grade Writing
ACCUPLACER WritePlacer
Adult Literacy
African-American History
American Literature
Anatomy & Physiology
AP US Government
AP US History
Business
CLEP American Literature
CLEP Biology
CLEP History of the United States I
CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
CLEP Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
CLEP Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
College Biology
College Economics
College English
College Level American History
College Level American Literature
College World History
Comparative Literature
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Writing
High School Biology
High School Business
High School Chemistry
High School Economics
High School English
High School Level American History
High School Level American Literature
High School World History
High School Writing
IB Philosophy
IB Philosophy HL
IB Philosophy SL
Korean
Life Sciences
Middle School Science
Middle School Writing
Other
Political Science
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
World History
World Literature
What is your teaching philosophy?
Whether teaching a large class or an individualized tutoring session, I believe in creating a culture of achievement that empowers students to reach their potential. This means that the educator teaches with the student's personality and goals in mind!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will take time to get to know the student, establish expectations, and gauge their familiarity with course material so we can work together to determine the road we're going to take towards achievement!
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
A strong educator helps students by equipping them with powerful skill sets that can be used not only in the classroom, but any professional setting. This includes a focus on developing general critical thinking practices and self-reflection.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Topics need to be relevant. I work students' passions into my lessons so that they can see how the topic matters not only in their life, but in the world at large.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
No one student learns the same. If a student needs a new approach (i.e. - they're more of a visual learner rather than verbal), then I adapt my lessons accordingly. You must meet the student where they are, as a learner.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Struggling readers often need creative new pathways towards comprehension. I achieve this by identifying the student's strengths (i.e. - strong listening skills), and utilize them in tackling their reading development.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Lessons need to be tailored to each individual student. I often find that the most successful work is done when a teacher takes the time to understand a student's passions and fashions their lessons accordingly.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
You have to make subjects relevant. Students will engage in any topic if you can connect it with things they are passionate about. I work with students to learn their goals and personal aspirations, and explain how the subject in question can help them reach their dreams.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I utilize a plethora of retention checking tools, from to-dos at the start of a session to check retention from the previous lesson, to hands-on activities and verbal quizzes at the end of a session.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Giving students a clear means to look back at the road they have already taken to see their personal progress is paramount. I work with students to create a progress-checking system (be it a graph, sign-in-sheet or other item) so that when they express a lack of confidence, they can see how far they have come!
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
During a first session, I take comprehensive stock of a student's learning style, studying methods and habits, their strengths and growth areas, and adjusting my teaching methodology accordingly.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
No one student learns the same. By taking time to develop a rapport with my pupils, I learn what methods suit them best (i.e. - are they a visual learner? Verbal?) and adjust accordingly.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I draw from a large pool of materials, ranging from traditional quizzes and paper materials, to lab materials (science courses), props, and a range of items depending on the subject and the student's learning style.