Gaurav
Certified Tutor
As a tutor, my goal is to provide a customized learning experience that will ultimately help students achieve concept mastery and confidence in their own skills.
My experiences as both a student and a teacher have helped me understand that everyone has different learning speeds and processes. However, I have found that a learning experience which places a heavy emphasis on communication, structure, and critical thinking can play a significant role in cognitive development and long term skill retention.
In my experience, communication is the most important aspect of being a tutor. In the classroom, my students can expect me to cover concepts with both depth and clarity. Outside of lesson plans, my students can also expect me to reply promptly to any questions they may have about the subjects we cover. But communication is also a two way street. In order to be a more effective tutor, I try to understand my student's specific goals and challenges so that I can best tailor classes to their needs.
In terms of my teaching philosophy, I like to provide students with highly structured approaches to problem-solving. I do this to ensure that their students walk away armed with a set of tools that allow them to demonstrate what they have learned and execute tasks that are contingent on their subject mastery. Regardless of if you are solving a complex equation or putting together an essay for college, emphasizing a logical and structured approach improves the competency and speed with which you can accomplish your task.
Critical thinking is often underemphasized in the traditional classroom environment. When students are taught specific "tricks" to handle certain types of test questions, the significance of the methods they are learning are often lost. I have found that stressing why certain facts and concepts are important not only improves the retention of those ideas, but also gives students more confidence in applying what they have learned.
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Undergraduate Degree: The University of Texas at Austin - Current Undergrad, Finance
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1570
- SAT Math: 770
- SAT Verbal: 800
- SAT Writing: 760
Reading. Watching Football and Playing Fantasy Football. Play the keyboard in a band with some friends.
- Accounting
- Algebra
- AP Economics
- AP United States History
- AP US History
- Business
- College Accounting
- College Business
- College Economics
- College English
- College Essays
- Economics
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Finance
- Geometry
- High School Accounting
- High School Business
- High School Economics
- High School English
- Math
- PSAT Critical Reading
- PSAT Writing Skills
- Public Speaking
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Subject Test in United States History
- SAT Subject Test in World History
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- SAT Writing and Language
- Social Studies
- Statistics
- Test Prep
- US History
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is centered around providing a supportive environment in which the student can become an active participant in the learning experience. I believe that a motivated student is best placed to succeed when provided with a realistic simulation of the test-taking experience along with customized tutoring that includes the specific cognitive tools they need.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would spend a first session establishing a "game-plan." That would mean making sure the student and I are clear about how comfortable he/she is with the material currently, as well as set desired proficiency as a goal in a specific timeframe.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Confidence in one's own abilities is a critical factor in independent decision making. By developing proficiency in my time with the student, I would best prepare them for future situations that evaluate their subject knowledge and critical thinking.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would motivate a student by establishing a clear road map with specific goals and objectives that serve as indicators of progress. By breaking up a longer learning process into discrete pieces, I believe I can keep a student motivated by keeping them from being overwhelmed.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would have them verbally describe the thought process that they go through when approaching that concept. By having them lead me through what and how they approach a particular topic, I believe I can effectively identify and remedy difficulties they may be having.