Jeff
Certified Tutor
Math is hard, I get it. I've been taking college level math courses for three years now at Lower Columbia College in Longview, WA. The opportunity to tutor in their Learning Commons came about and I fell in love with helping people. I have since moved cities and am attending Lane Community College in Eugene, OR and will be starting Oregon State University in January, 2016.
Along with tutoring in a community college, I was a Private Tutor for a few High School students in the town I moved from. Helping those students in Algebra and Geometry was a blast and they learned a lot, but I also found pleasure in assisting students in college level Pre-calculus, Trig, and both Derivative and Integral Calculus'.
When tutoring, I'm very big on making sure my student understands the material and comes to their own conclusion about their answers. If the student doesn't come to the answer using their own problem solving skills, they will never fully grasp the material. This is the basis for they way I instruct.
Even though I find joy in calculating math problems, outside of this I enjoy working in my garden, building/fixing things around the house, and playing video games in my limited free time.
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Undergraduate Degree: Oregon State University - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Gaming, Sports, Reading
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- Arithmetic
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- College Algebra
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Summer
- Trigonometry
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I'm all about positive reinforcement. Any victory, no matter how small, is rewarded with positive words. Staying positive and encouraging helps the student stay motivated because it improves their self confidence.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I am always thinking of different ways to approach a concept. There are many different types of learners, and changing up my teaching strategy can benefit a student having issues understanding a concept.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Making sure the student feels comfortable in the situation is a plus. If I notice the student getting overwhelmed, I tend to take a few steps back and work on some review concepts. This tends to help them build confidence so we can continue.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Relating the subject to something they enjoy is very important. Math, in particular, is a subject that can be a struggle, so reworking the problems to make them relatable to a student's interest helps a ton.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Going back a few steps and doing some review problems helps build confidence. Having the feeling of getting problems correct is always a benefit.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I always have a graphing calculator handy. When working with algebra and beyond, it's helpful to see how equations can be represented visually. Also, I work really well with dry-erase boards.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Creating interesting and fun methods of teaching math concepts is very important. Math can be boring for most students, so getting their attention in the beginning is key.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Briefly introduce myself and my background, but quickly move to the student's needs. It's important to keep the student in focus as it helps them feel more in control which, in turn, will build confidence.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Building confidence is important for a student to no longer need assistance. One way I do this is by changing up a problem or equation they may need help on. Doing this avoids just giving them the answer and helps them learn HOW to solve a problem instead of just what the answer is.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Creating different methods of looking at a problem is important as all students learn in different ways. Changing up how I explain the method of solving to better suit the student is one way I achieve this.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Listening is important. When asking, "Do you understand this?" and knowing the difference between a quick "ya" and a solid "yes" is important. The quick answer most likely means they don't actually understand and want to move on. Understanding when the student needs more explanation is important.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I love to change up how I explain the material. There are many different ways to describe particular concepts, and trying a new method can help match the student's needs.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Being mostly a math tutor, I don't feel I would fall into this category. If faced with this challenge, however, I would have them read each sentence aloud and think back to what they read. Then move on to the next sentence. Slowly practicing the comprehension helps it become easier later on.