Steven
Certified Tutor
I am a very experienced and dedicated tutor. I began my professional tutoring career in my undergraduate years in a math and physics tutoring lab at my university. I worked there for 5 years and became a head tutor, in-charge of not only tutoring the highest level mathematics and physics subjects, but also my responsibilities included training and hiring other tutors that attended the same university. I first completed my Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, then my Master's in the Arts of Teaching degree. I then taught high school levels of physics, AP physics, environmental science, chemistry, and physical science over the course of 3 years. I now reside in Lakewood Colorado and would love to work with any level of mathematics, physics, basic chemistry, test prep, or study skills tutoring.
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Undergraduate Degree: Kennesaw State University - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Graduate Degree: Kennesaw State University - Master of Arts, Teaching Physics
Soccer, environmental issues, and music festivals
- ACCUPLACER Arithmetic
- ACCUPLACER College-Level Math
- ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra
- ACT Math
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- Biology
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- Chemistry
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- College Physics
- Differential Equations
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Finite Mathematics
- Geometry
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- High School Physics
- Homework Support
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Middle School Science
- Other
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
- SAT Subject Test in Chemistry
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
- SAT Subject Test in Physics
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
What is your teaching philosophy?
I have a pencil in the pupil's hand philosophy. I believe that the majority of the writing should be completed by the pupil. In this way, I can more accurately judge the pupil's level of understanding, and when the pupil is doing most of the work, he or she is going to have a better and longer lasting understanding of the subject.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would first want to establish the goals of the pupil. Are we going for general homework help, test preparation, a better general understanding of the subject, or something different? After this is established, I want to make sure the pupil has all of the necessary materials out, and I like to jump right into the subject so as to most efficiently use their time.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By making sure the pupil is doing most of the work during the tutoring session and discussing what next steps they should be taking in-between or after the tutoring session.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Encouragement and reminding the student that all students require practice to get to the level of understanding to adequately meet the class standards and expectations.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I teach active reading techniques. These include, but are not limited to: underlining, highlighting, making notes in the margins, and verbally summarizing select sections.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Make up a similar problem that is slightly less difficult until the student can understand the problem, then gradually add aspects of difficulty until the student feels comfortable with the original question, skill, or concept.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Using his or her time wisely and efficiently to accomplish the student's goals and simultaneously assessing the student's level of understanding in the subject to accurately choose what things to explain or dive into further.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I believe that a tutor's passion and knowledge in a subject is contagious, first of all. However, I like to give real life examples of how the material can be used and discuss what is happening in the brain when a student uses his or her critical thinking skills, and the avenues of thought that open up when critical thinking is used.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I make sure the student is doing most of the work when completing a problem, and I monitor the progress very closely and ask questions along the way. I also make up similar questions to test the student's understanding if I think there is a possibility that they are not adequately understanding a concept.