Keith
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Cornell University - Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
ACT Composite: 33
ACT English: 34
ACT Math: 33
ACT Reading: 31
ACT Science: 33
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1560
SAT Math: 790
SAT Verbal: 730
SAT Writing: 790
Rugby, Basketball, Video Games
Algebra 3/4
Civil and Environmental Engineering
College Physics
High School Physics
HSPT Language Skills
HSPT Math
HSPT Quantitative
HSPT Reading
HSPT Verbal
ISEE Prep
Mechanical Engineering
What is your teaching philosophy?
I try my best to understand exactly how well my students understand the material and adjust my lessons accordingly. People learn in very different ways and at very different paces, so teachers must be able to adapt to the student.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Typically, I would have the student complete some diagnostic questions so that I can see exactly where improvements need to be made. We would discuss these questions and establish a study plan.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
It is important that students have a fundamental understanding of the topic and that they don't simply regurgitate information. That is why I encourage students to figure out problems on their own and put in some serious thought before seeking assistance.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Students are motivated when they see improvement. I make sure that my students see their accomplishments each week as they feel more and more comfortable with the material.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would come up with new practice problems that illustrate the concept in a different light. Students often fail to grasp certain concepts when they are unsure of what the question is asking. Changing the question allows the student to think about the concept in a different light.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I find it useful to very quickly read the questions and then the entire passage before attempting to solve any problems. Then, it is important to spot key words that link the passage and the questions.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
It is always useful to administer a short diagnostic test to determine the student's grasp of certain topics and where we need to improve.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
It is important that the student sees his/her improvement. When a student feels accomplished, they are much more likely to be excited and engaged with the subject.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I find it important to continually test students on topics that we have already gone over. It is not enough to simply teach a student a certain concept and expect him or her to retain that information without consistent practice.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I build a student's confidence by showing him or her just how much improvement they've made as a result of their hard work.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I administer diagnostic tests which cover a wide range of topics in a certain subject. This allows me to determine which topics need the most work.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I identify what type of learner my student is and how they can optimize their study time. I then adapt my lessons accordingly.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I typically have my students complete practice questions before our session. During the session, we go over the questions, analyze the most difficult problems, and then go through new problems to reinforce the material.