Sarabjeet
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Washington University in St Louis - Bachelors, Chemistry and Biology
ACT Composite: 34
ACT English: 33
ACT Math: 36
ACT Reading: 32
ACT Science: 35
Playing the tabla, computer programming, building and repairing computers and other mechanical equipment, auto-mechanic related work, and cooking
AP German Language and Culture
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
AP Physics C: Mechanics
Cell Biology
College Biology
College Chemistry
College Physics
Elementary School Math
German 1
German 2
German 3
German 4
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School Physics
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Mac Basic Computer Skills
Quantum Mechanics
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Technology and Coding
Thermochemistry
Thermodynamics
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by making the tutoring process exciting and helping the student achieve their academic goals.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Accommodating students by understanding their strengths/weaknesses, and tailoring my lesson plans to suit their learning style.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would learn about the student, as well as their difficulties/problems with different topics in the given subject.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By learning and implementing a teaching style that reinforces a student's strength, as well as showing a student different studying techniques (whether visual or auditory), I can help a student become an independent learner.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would find a different way to teach the given skill or concept, whether it be auditory or visual. I would also spend more time reinforcing the given skill and concept and frequently testing the student to gauge his/her understanding of the concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would first try to motivate the student through different activities that may increase their interest in the given text. In addition, I would preview the text with the student and ask them to make predictions. While reading, I would monitor the student's understanding of the text, ask questions to keep the student focused on the text, and ask the student to summarize key ideas or events in the text. After reading the text, I would guide a discussion of the reading, ask the student to evaluate different ideas and concepts from the text, and ask the student to recall different parts of the text in their own words.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
1) Connecting the given concept to real life, such as thermodynamics to how a car functions. 2) Incorporating a student's interest into the lesson plan to make them more engaged. 3) Give the student the freedom to make a choice of the problems they want to work on, offering a variety of different problems for the student to choose and allowing the student to set the pace for the tutoring session. 4) Presenting information in multiple formats, such as a PowerPoint, a funny visual, etc. 5) Teach students self-monitoring skills, such as whether the student has been paying attention at random intervals in the lesson plan, etc.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
1) Being excited about the subject and displaying my interest/passion for the material. 2) Providing a threat-free environment for the student to work in, ask questions, and make inquiries. 3) Changing the scenery, such as studying at a different location instead of the library. 4) Offering various experiences and teaching styles for the student to choose from. 5) Ask the student to reflect on their strengths and weakness before and after tutoring sessions. 6) Relate the subject to real life.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
1) Give the student encouragement for their accomplishments. 2) Set attainable goals for the student to work towards during the tutoring session(s). 3) Give the student the opportunity to choose what they learn. 4) Create opportunities for the student to build on their strengths. 5) Keep a positive attitude and encourage the student to do better.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
1) Use quizzes or practice problems. 2) Ask students to summarize and reflect on the material. 3) Monitor their understanding throughout the tutoring session. 4) Ask students to explain their answers to questions. 5) Tell students to create their own questions and give an explanation to their answers.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
1) Give a short assessment over broad topics within the subject and see which problems they tend to miss. 2) Speak with the students to see what they believe to be their strengths and weaknesses in a given subject.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
This depends. If the student has a difficulty grasping concepts by listening, then I would use visual aids, such as model building sets for organic chemistry, flashcards, associating colors with concepts, writing out directions and problems, etc. If the student has problems grasping concepts visually, then I would provide oral directions and ask the student to repeat it back. I would also use acronyms such as SOH CAH TOA for the trigonometric identities to help the student remember important concepts.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
This also depends. Generally, I make sure to either bring a provided problem set or a pre-approved problem set I have written. For Organic Chemistry, I always make sure to bring a model set, as this helps students visualize different mechanisms and structures. For Math-related subjects, I make sure to bring a notepad, some visual aids, such as triangles for Geometry, etc.