Spencer: Libertyville tutor
Certified Tutor
From tomatoes to turnips – I’m your guy. When I’m not drinking a steaming hot cup of joe, I’m cutting up vegetables for my girlfriend and preparing meals. I’m a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur and sous chef who has been credited from friend to foe as the best in the business.
After spending half a decade at university I know that teaching is something I want to do for at least a portion of my life. I studied creative advertising before switching my major to English; then I started working at the writing center where I was employed to help foreign students and peers in need.
Now I'm here to try and expand my knowledge in the art of teaching. I want to work with students closely so that the effort is evident in the work the student creates. I believe learning from each other is the best way to grow and succeed.
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Undergraduate Degree: Virginia Commonwealth University - Current Undergrad, English
Writing, Biking, Music Production, Gaming
- ACT Writing
- Beatbox
- College English
- DJing
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Microsoft Office
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Believe in your pupil; work with them as an equal. Don't undervalue their potential, and learn from one another.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Look through pieces of work they have done in the past to try and figure out a pattern in how they operate as a student. Get to know the student you are going to be working with.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Tell them to research everything they do. Even if you understand a certain concept or idea, you should always strive to understand its inner workings. Be aware that learning is infinite, and topics you believe to have mastered always have more information to be processed and analyzed.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Never skip a day of learning. Keep your brain active, even if it means reading superficial magazine articles/playing video games that require strategy or discipline. Of course, playing games and reading useless columns should be done in moderation; they should not take over your main areas of study.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Focus on that subject and try to relate the subject to the student's personal interests. I find if a subject is hard to comprehend, the best way to overcome learning about it is to associate the subject with a person's hobbies or passions.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Highlighting sections while reading can be a good tool to re-immerse yourself in important passages. A first read through of any book can leave grey areas, but if you know what to look for when trying to analyze or comprehend a section of the book, it can provide a starting ground that is much more sound than memory.