Callie
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Florida State University - Bachelors, Music and English Literature
Graduate Degree: University of California-Berkeley (ALSO MA: Columbia University 2009) - PHD, Anthropology
cooking, knitting, singing jazz, international travel, baseball
College English
College Geography
College Level American History
Hebrew
High School English
High School Geography
High School Level American History
Homework Support
Other
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I am an enthusiastic teacher who works with students to develop strategies in writing, test-taking, and critical thinking, rather than simply giving them the answers. I strive to create an open environment for students to feel comfortable, even when they're not yet confident about the material.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
That's time for us to get to know each other, and for me to assess where you are on the subject matter--whether it's by a practice test, a writing sample, etc.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I focus on learning strategies rather than simply the answers themselves. In a standardized test, for example, there will always be questions you don't know the answer to off the bat. What do you do then? How do you think about what you DON'T know?
How would you help a student stay motivated?
It's important to gauge where a student is at: how is s/he with this subject matter? Where is her energy today? Do we need a break?
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Try, try, try again, and then take a break, work on something else where the student may feel more comfortable or confident, before coming back. Also, explaining in different ways using relevant examples!