Kyle: Gaston County tutor
Certified Tutor
I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, I have an Associate's degree in Pre-Professional Health. Accordingly, I tutor students in lower-division subjects, such as basic biology and chemistry, and also upper-division courses, such as immunology, molecular biology, and quantitative biological methods. My favorite subject is biology, but my in-depth knowledge allows me to appreciate the chemistry and physics involved when analyzing biology materials.
I have over a year of tutoring experience, which includes working at Lake-Sumter State College in a certified learning center, as well as independent tutoring in college chemistry. I have tutored many courses and have tutored students with varying learning styles and from diverse backgrounds.
As a successful first generation college student who is now applying to medical school---and who has consequently learned firsthand how to successfully study---my tutoring philosophy is that it is critical for a student to understand the "why" of his or her studies. From my experience, once a student can understand why the subject matter is important and see how it relates to other topics, other courses, and, importantly, to real world situations, the material tends to become more concrete and easier to learn. So, my style of tutoring allows me to cater to someone who may be looking to pass their final science or math class as well as to someone who wants to take an in-depth look at the material and connect it to other subjects and to real-life situations, possibly taking the material beyond the scope of the course.
When I do not have my nose stuck in a book learning new information, I am most likely at the gym or running around Norfolk, Virginia. As someone who has run many races, including a marathon, I know the importance of stepping away from the books, and I appreciate the mind-body connection.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Central Florida - Bachelors, Biomedical Sciences
Running
- 10th Grade Math
- 11th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Math
- Algebra
- AP Biology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP Biology
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- General Biology
- Graduate Test Prep
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- Honors Chemistry
- Immunology
- Math
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Physical Chemistry
- Pre-Algebra
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would start the first session by getting to know the student, including asking the student what their goals are for the class. I would also want to know how the student feels about the class, i.e., if they enjoy the class. After we have gotten to know one another, we could start with preliminary subject questions.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
My first step would be to find the root of the problem. Typically, in these situations, I have found that the issue lies not with the current skill or concept, but with a previously learned foundational skill or concept. This means that my approach would vary depending on the student and the root cause of the difficulty.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The strategies that I have found to be most successful when I start to work with a student are (1) to get to know the student and his or her goals for the class (or academic career, depending on the circumstances), and (2) to ask preliminary subject matter questions to gauge the student's current understanding of the subject.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help a student get excited or become engaged with a subject that they are struggling in by relating the subject to real world situations, particularly those that may be of personal interest to the student.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
In order to ensure that a student understands the material, I like the student to explain their thought process regarding a problem or concept. This allows me to gauge whether the student is fully comprehending the material and assures me that the student is relying solely on their own knowledge.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I typically use the materials provided by the student. If the student does not provide any materials, I will create practice problems and visuals of my own to use during the session. Additionally, I will utilize practice problems from the tutoring service and various textbooks that I own.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help a student become an independent learner by asking them to "teach" me. I do this by asking the student to explain their thought process while working through a problem. By doing so, the student becomes the teacher and will know that they have the foundation to apply their knowledge to other material independently.