Karen: Essex County tutor
Certified Tutor
I enjoy helping students reach their highest potential and feel good about learning. I've worked with students for over 22 years in an urban setting. I have seen tremendous gains & improvements in their academic achievements. I have primarily worked with elementary and middle school aged students. I was educated (undergraduate) at Kean College and received my Masters degree from Rutger's University; BSW & MSW. I also completed the Alternate Route program for education. My interests are in tutoring math, language arts, and reading. I have a passion for the core subjects because they are so important. They provide the base knowledge for future learning. Learning can be fun and exciting when we tap into our abilities and learn to use our strengths and natural gifts. I believe in starting where my students are and gradually increasing their comfort level, success, and confidence while introducing new skills and challenges. I teach children to be life long problem solvers. In my spare time I enjoy sewing, cooking, reading and yoga.
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Graduate Degree: Kean College - Unknown, Social Work
Graduate Degree: Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Master of Social Work, Social work Admin.
sewing, cooking, reading & yoga
- College English
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- High School English
- Math
- Phonics
- Reading
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that everyone learns at their own pace. It is my job to assist and guide learners toward reaching set goals. I enjoy working with students by being creative yet focused. Learning is fun.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Our first session would be a time to get to know each other and to discuss their needs. We would get started immediately on the work at hand.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Students can become more independent and self confident when they experience success. It becomes a matter of setting up positive routines and study habits.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Learners stay motivated when there are positive incentives. Things as simple as praise, stickers, and earning points tend to help encourage and motivate.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would break down the topic that is being tackled into small workable parts. When you divide tasks into pieces that are manageable, learners gain confidence and see that they can accomplish anything.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Reading is crucial to all learning and all subjects. I would foster a love of reading by reading along with them, stopping frequently to ask questions and to assess what their point of reference is. Use of a timer might also help. Again by making reading fun, children will gravitate to it.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I like to make them feel comfortable and at ease. I will stress whatever topics they are most in need of help with. There are always alternate routes toward reaching an answer. If this doesn't work, try something else.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Question and answer. Have them explain what it is they understand, and what it is they don't understand.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Let them demonstrate successes, even if they are small ones.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would have to ask the learner what their end goal is and try to lead them to that. Together, we could determine where they are in the process.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
By using many different methods, such as reading, hands-on materials, pictures, and review. All of this depends on the learner's age of course.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use the usual materials, such as books, paper and pencil, and sometimes music or poetry to make a point.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
To help motivate a learner, I would start where they are, determine their level of interest, add some humor, and begin. Once they feel at ease, they can work backwards if that helps. Making progress is a steady, sometimes uphill struggle; however, I encourage them never to give up.