Jennifer
Certified Tutor
I am an architect by day and a tutor by other times of the day. I graduated with a Master of Architecture degree from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago just this last May and completed my undergraduate studies in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology a few years ago.
I like to ski in the winter, despite hating the cold, go to the beach in the summer, and attend concerts whenever I have the opportunity. I like a range of music, movies and TV Shows - I am willing to bet we have at least one in common. In my spare time I hang out with my two cats Bella and Luca and enjoy exploring the city of Boston. In Chicago I went on a quest to find the best "Chicago style hot dog" and ate more than anyone should in their lifetime. I can tell you all about how I waited in line for five hours at one place...
I like to make learning fun, and I hope you want to do the same. I have tutored elementary school-aged students in reading and math and was a mentor for incoming freshmen at IIT. I was able to take a group of 6-12 freshmen on tours of Chicago while teaching them the importance of sketching and assisting with any other subjects with which they needed guidance. I believe that if we aren't having fun we are doing it wrong.
My subjects include: Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Homework Support, Math, Middle School Math, Reading, Study Skills and more!
Connect with a tutor like Jennifer
Undergraduate Degree: Wentworth Institute of Technology - Bachelors, Architecture
Graduate Degree: Illinois Institute of Technology - Masters, Architecture
Drawing/Painting, Skiing, Boxing, Movies,
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Homework Support
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
Do what works. If it doesn't work - try something else.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Get to know the student, and get a feel for what they are working on and why they might need a tutor in the first place. And of course learn a little more about them, if they have hobbies, etc. Trying out some different ways of working on whatever the task at hand may be may helps us learn what we need for the next session, and how to best utilize our time moving forward.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Allowing a student to solve the problem with guidance as opposed to specific direction can help students feel more independent.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Using a reward system has proven effective for helping students stay motivated!
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Getting to know the student and finding a way to relate helps build trust and lets the student know you really are there to help!
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I find relating subjects to something else the student already finds exciting is a good way to keep students interested.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Repetition and support are great ways of making sure a student really understands the material. Practicing different types of the same question and changing numbers or words are also good indicators of whether the student understands the material or just understands that single event. Quizzes sound less fun, but I promise they can be.