Kirsten: Joliet tutor
Certified Tutor
I graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a minor in Business Management. During my time at college, I loved teaching visiting students at the art museum on campus. I also took a year and a half off of school to go on a service mission and teach individuals and families of all ages in Maryland and in D.C. Some of my favorite subjects to teach are English, literature, and writing.
I love teaching and thoroughly believe that learning should be an enjoyable, empowering process - not frustrating or belittling. In my spare time, I like to read, hike, and bake.
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Undergraduate Degree: Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelors, Humanities - Classical Studies
Hiking, baking, running, and reading
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Languages
- Latin
- Latin 1
- Latin 2
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Writing
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I love teaching and thoroughly believe that learning should be an enjoyable, empowering process - not frustrating or belittling.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During a first session, I would take some time to get to know the student and set one or two goals together. I would also ask some questions to understand how the student learns best (visually, aurally, etc.). Then we would dive into the material!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I like to use analogies or object lessons, if they are applicable, because I find that approaching a difficult problem or concept from a different angle is sometimes useful. Also, practice makes perfect, so I like to walk through the problem or material with the student and have the student explain what they are doing, and what they do or do not understand, so I can get a better grasp of what we need to focus on.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
For me, it is useful to explain how the subject material is going to be relevant and applicable to the student's future. If the student can really feel and understand that relevance, then it makes the biggest impact on his or her desire to learn. I have also found it immensely helpful to be excited and positive about the subject myself. Obviously, not all of a teacher's energy can be transferred to the student, but having an optimistic attitude definitely helps the student switch mindsets a bit.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I am a big believer in positive reinforcement, no matter what age you are. Whenever a student completes a problem or masters a concept, I think it is so powerful to give genuine, positive feedback. It not only reminds the student of the small successes that are sometimes easy to forget; it also increases their confidence in the subject matter moving forward.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Evaluating a student's needs is an ongoing process for me. I have found the below steps helpful:
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Review the student's work
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Ask the student for their feedback, questions, and frustrations, if any
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Walk through the problem or material with the student and have the student explain his or her thinking process
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Pause and ask the student questions to evaluate what areas we need to focus on