Melanie: Connecticut tutor
Certified Tutor
I am currently a full-time student at Nyack College, pursuing my Bachelors Degree in Communications. I have had the privilege to tutor students from ages 3 and up. I started tutoring when I was in the 9th grade, as I tutored middle schoolers with reading, writing, and speaking Spanish. After this experience, I enjoyed tutoring so much that I went on to tutor younger children from the ages of 3-10 helping them improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Now I am currently a writing consultant at the NYC Writing Center in Nyack College.
As a tutor, I seek to help my students improve their skills on the subjects they desire. I desire to help my students see their own potential and recognize that with a little help they can achieve their goals. My purpose is to serve and equip my students as much as I can. I enjoy seeing my students succeed and come back to tell me about their stories. Tutoring has made a major impact in my life as I am able to help, teach, and connect with my students. When I am not tutoring, I enjoy playing guitar, paino, singing, cooking, walking, ice-skating, and playing basketball.
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Undergraduate Degree: Nyack College - Bachelors, Communications
I love playing guitar, piano, and singing. I also love pets and I enjoy ice-skating, walking, and playing basketball.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Teaching is both a learning process for the teacher as it is for the student.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will ask them what they need help on, go through the instructions of the assignment, and speak with the student to get an idea of who they are and what they would like to achieve.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By letting the students give insights during the tutoring session.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Depending on the situation, I would tell them that I am here to help them if they have any questions, and encourage them to achieve their full potential.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would sit down with the student and discuss their difficulties, and see how I can explain the concept better to them.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would read with them and help them think critically to improve their reading comprehension by asking them questions and feedback.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Look for the strength and weakness of the student, and interact with the student frequently for feedback.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would tell them a personal story and also encourage them that with a little help, they can become better at the subjects they are struggling with.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Questions, and after the session making the student reflect and repeat what was taught.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By encouraging them that they can do it, and stating things such as "good job," "well done," etc.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I let them tell me what they think they need help on and then, as time progresses and we work together, I can see the needs of the student.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
My tutoring depends on the student's needs. If I see the student struggling I have to make sure that I tutor step by step until they understand the concepts.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Paper, pen, and required books.