Erika: New Brunswick tutor
Certified Tutor
My passion is math. You don't hear that often, do you? I'm a 3rd year math student at the University of Texas at Austin. I've been tutoring ever since high school, and I truly love it. Both of my parents are math teachers, so I think it runs in the family. I've have taken every kind of math you can think of (and a lot of maths you've never heard of). I've continued to tutor because of the amazing students I work with, and to see their passion for math grow is inspiring. Not a lot of students out there care for math, but I'm hoping to change that.
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Undergraduate Degree: The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Playing with my dog, cooking, watching documentaries, DIY, thrift store shopping
What is your teaching philosophy?
Sometimes, when you're learning, you get lost in all the steps. I think it's important to go back to square one and really learn the basics, because those are the stepping stones to everything else you learn.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Get to know them! Figure out how they learn, what helps them study most, and how we want to tackle learning their subject together.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
It's all about good habits. We have to figure out how you study best. Once you know what environment you need to be the best learner you can, you are in control of the situation and can conquer any and all!
How would you help a student stay motivated?
It's important to make learning fun. I know some students don't care for certain subjects, and I think the difficulty that the subject brings can make a student lose confidence in oneself. If I can help them understand what they are confused on, and guide them to the next steps, they'll be more inclined to continue the work when the tutor leaves.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Go back to square one. Usually, it's not that concept they are confused on, but something they learned a week or two ago that they never truly understood, and the teacher started building on it. We have to do some backtracking to find the exact concept they are stuck on, and help them understand what it is.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When I was in high school, I too struggled with reading. I've been there, and my experience with that can really benefit others. I know it can be overwhelming and frustrating sometimes, but you have to learn to be patient and forgiving with yourself.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
All with reassurance. If they get a question wrong, they need to know it's okay and it happens, and when they get it right, they need to know they did an awesome job and see the improvement they are making! Once your confidence is down, it is hard to bring it back up, but that's what a tutor can be useful for
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
First, it's getting to know them--Understanding what they are confused about and how they best learn and study. Then, it's watching them work and seeing it in action. That way, I can help them while they're working so they can see immediate progress.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I understand that every student is completely different in how they learn and how they approach something. Once we have had time to work together, I can truly focus on what you need to help you succeed.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
All different types! My favorite material I like to use is the brain. I know the knowledge is in one of our brains somewhere, sometimes you just need someone else to talk to. A pen and paper are next because you need these items to brainstorm. A textbook is always helpful too!