Scott
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Sonoma State University - Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
Playing guitar, taking my dog for a walk, playing poker, surfing the web
ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Applied Mathematics
Basic Computer Literacy
California Proficiency Program (CPP) Prep
College Computer Science
College Math
Computer Programming
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering
GED Math
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics
GRE Subject Tests
High School Computer Science
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office
Operating Systems
Other
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Software
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Technology and Coding
What is your teaching philosophy?
My goal in tutoring any student is to try to have them understand the bigger picture of why they are learning certain concepts (how this information relates to other information they have learned, and how learning this material will prepare them to learn more in the future).
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will typically use the first tutoring session as a period where I can begin to get to know the student, as well as really assess where they are with the current material by asking them to solve related problems.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
At a tutor, I tend to focus on the larger concepts at hand. Not only to complete the homework assignment or study for the test at hand, but to understand why it is important for students to understand these concepts. Since I tutor mostly in Mathematics and Engineering, concepts in these areas will typically build upon one another, becoming slightly more difficult as you move forward.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I think it is important to keep the end goal in mind. Whether a student wants to attend a University, or learn these concepts to advance in their careers, I think it is always important for students to see that the reason they are learning these concepts is to further their education and reach that goal.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Usually I recommend for a student to make a set or multiple sets of flashcards, which can help them to remember difficult formulas and concepts. Also, I remind students that the same amount of time that we spend working together in tutoring sessions, they should be spending that amount of time or more working on their own to develop their understanding.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would suggest that a student takes very good notes and potentially highlights key sentences or paragraphs in their reading.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
At the very beginning, I like to learn a bit about the student. I like to learn what their end goals are and any background that the student may have in the subject.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
It can be difficult to make math fun for a student. I try to make jokes to lighten the mood.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
When I start a tutoring session, I like to quiz my students on the material which we covered in the last session. Depending on their performance on this quiz, we may review those concepts once again.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I continuously affirm the student's abilities by saying things like "Great job!" or "Well done" or "You did great in our session today." This helps the student to build confidence by helping them to believe in their own abilities.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I find that when tutoring in Mathematics or Engineering, a student's strengths and weaknesses tend to reveal themselves quickly. By working through a couple of practice problems with the student, I am able to quickly identify things that need extra practice.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I have tutored many students of many different ages. Thus, I have had to adapt my tutoring styles quite a bit to accommodate for different needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I bring plenty of scratch paper, a graphing calculator, as well as graph paper to all of my sessions. If the student has materials that are available online, I also will typically print them out so that we have them in front of us during the session.