Karen
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, Chemistry
Graduate Degree: Technologic University of Santiago - PHD, Medicine
photography and swimming
What is your teaching philosophy?
To help students have a better understanding of scientific concepts that govern basic biological principles.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Learn from the student what areas of the subject need to be strengthened; i.e., focus clearing up the weaknesses.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Independent learning is best achieved by practicing common test questions and repeating basic concepts.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Positive reinforcement and achieving realistic objectives.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Find different ways of explaining the skill or concept that the student can understand.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Use reading passages in the subject area as practice.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Being on time, consistent, and the use of positive reinforcement.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
The student must be constantly reminded of the main objective - i.e., passing the course or being able to obtain a particular job, etc.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
The best technique is to test the student to make sure they get the right answers/concepts.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Confidence building comes with getting the right answers and having a correct understanding of the material to be learned.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By finding out the student's strengths and weaknesses in a subject; asking questions via quizzes or tests and having the student explain various relevant concepts.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Most teaching methodologies are universal; however, if a student can learn a concept easier via a visual method, for example, then that should be used to assist the student in learning.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Reference texts, practice test materials, and a basic outline of the material to be covered for the session.