Simone
Certified Tutor
I am a certified Biology and Chemistry teacher with 6 years of experience tutoring and teaching science students.
Education: I earned my B.S. in Biology from Furman University in Greenville, SC. I later completed a teacher training program and obtained certifications in Biology, Chemistry, and Career and Technical Education: Health Careers.
Teaching Experience: I taught high school Biology, Chemistry, and Biotechnology for 4 years. I'm addition, I have been tutoring through Varsity Tutors for 2 years.
Lab Experience: While at Furman University, I worked in a developmental neurobiology lab. Following graduation I was a Research Specialist at the University of Arizona, where I analyzed brain MRIs for a project on racial/ethnic disparities in hemorrhagic stroke. Recently, I started an internship in the genetic counseling department of a fertility laboratory.
Tutoring Philosophy: Learning can be frustrating, and my goal is to help students move through the frustration to discover the beauty of science. I work to find the approaches that work best for each student, and I employ a variety of techniques to help them memorize new vocabulary and processes faster so that they can make the deeper connections that are ultimately most important. I believe it is empowering for students to master their science classes by switching up their study techniques, tapping into their natural curiosity about the subject, and having someone they can go to with questions.
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Undergraduate Degree: Furman University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
creative writing, fantasy, sewing, spending time outdoors
- AP Biology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology
- Enrichment
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- Life Sciences
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Neurobiology
- Neuroscience
- Other
- SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
To help students learn how to reason through challenging material by guiding them to ask meaningful questions.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I like to get to know the student and their goals for the course. Then I like to dive right into learning the subject matter.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I like to teach students to ask many questions and to research the answers to those questions themselves. The ability to research is a skill that grows with practice, and over time, students will research more effectively, learn faster, and need to consult others less often.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Since everyone learns differently, I might try explaining a concept using a diagram, a practical example, a video online, a practice problem, or even a more theoretical derivation.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I like to find out what subjects a student finds interesting and explain the subject in terms of their interests. As a biology tutor, I find that explaining difficult concepts using the human body and health/well-being is applicable to everyone, since we all have bodies!
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I want to ensure that a student can verbally explain and write out a concept without consulting their notes. It is also important to make sure the student can answer questions in the format they will encounter in class, so I like to use practice tests and old problem sets.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
When a student asks an insightful question or gets through a complicated problem, I want to give him/her positive feedback. It is important to know when you understand something (just as it is important to know when you don't understand something).
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use any textbooks and notes I have on the subject. The Internet is a great resource for videos, practice problems, and interactive tutorials. I also like to use the student's notes and textbook.