Nicole: Nassau County tutor
Certified Tutor
Empowering people to be their best selves is incredibly rewarding for me. As a young adult, it had been my plan to become a teacher. During my years at community college, I was a Mathematics Tutor to adults. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in History in 2000, I became a Substitute Teacher for a short time for special education and third grade classes. I enjoyed my tutoring and substitute teaching experiences very much.
After college, I accepted a series of positions outside the education field. These roles included Claims Adjuster, Office Manager, Proposal Coordinator, Technical Editor, Graphic Designer, and Wedding Photographer. More recently, however, I have been working as a Substitute Teacher for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. These more recent experiences have felt like a "coming home" for me.
I love learning, and I've always enjoyed being immersed in academic environments. More importantly, I love helping others learn. I have the patience and compassion to help students who may be struggling with their studies. I also possess the creativity to challenge students who are ready to take their learning to the next level.
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Undergraduate Degree: Old Dominion University - Bachelors, History
reading, traveling, photography, graphic design, yoga, gardening, community-building
- College English
- College Essays
- College Geography
- College Level American History
- Comparative Literature
- Elementary School Math
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- European History
- Geography
- High School English
- High School Geography
- High School Level American History
- History
- Homework Support
- Literature
- Math
- Other
- Reading
- Social Studies
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that a great teacher is a facilitator or guide. I aim to inspire and encourage students to problem-solve independently, helping them to build confidence, independence, and ultimately a love of learning.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would first find out what lead the student to seek tutoring. I would pose the following questions: Did a parent/guardian or teacher encourage them? What do they hope to get out of tutoring? Is there goal to improve a grade, or is mastery more important? I would find also find out what kind of resources the student is currently to include textbooks, workbooks, and other online resources. I would ask the student to upload some samples of questions or problems they need help with. At that point, we can get to work!
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help students become independent learners by actively involve them in the learning process, encouraging them with repeated practice that ultimately leads to mastery and confidence.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Positive affirmations and encouragement are key.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
First, I would remain patient and change up my approach until I'm able to find a way to reach them, taking into account their unique learning style.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would start with reading materials that are just below their current (expected) reading level, asking them simple questions to build confidence. From there, I would build up to higher reading levels, encouraging more comprehension of more complex concepts.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I employ patience, positive affirmations, and the use of repetition of practice problems.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I think it's important to find out what subjects the student excels in or is interested in first. I would then work to explore linkages between the subjects they enjoy and those they are struggling with.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would employ friendly drilling, repetition, and assign additional work to be completed outside of the tutoring session.