Dana
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: St. John's College - Bachelors, Liberal Arts (Philosophy, history of math and science)
Reading, writing, traveling, entertaining, art, music
College Biology
College English
Ecology
High School Biology
High School English
Life Sciences
Other
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I really believe in my students. Many folks who come looking for a tutor have been failed by American education systems, and don't realize how capable they can be. Because of this, I like to focus on meeting students exactly where they are. Once I understand a student's strengths, we often find ways to use those strengths to work through material the student never thought they could conquer.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Unless the student is in crisis about a specific test or deadline, the first meeting is all about evaluation: evaluating the student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, yes, but also evaluating what they care about, and how we might plug into that. Working hard for great grades is much easier for folks who can see that work contributing to their dreams.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I find it very important to help students master the language of the discipline I'm helping them in. Asking good questions and searching for good resources are key parts of teaching yourself! I also focus on cultivating the discipline of learning outside school, which I find ultimately makes for great students, whether they're getting tutoring or not.