Brittany: South Park tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a research scientist who uses my passion for the sciences, biology and math to inspire and motivate students to better understand and love science. My scientific background and optimistic personality help us tackle challenging topics together.
I also enjoy helping with Italiano. I lived in Italy for a year before college. I love the Italian culture and language and would like to help with everything from fun Italian conversation to assisting with grammar.
Connect with a tutor like Brittany
Undergraduate Degree: University of Mary Washington - Bachelors, Biology, General
I love animals and have alot of pets (a dog, a bird and a turtle). I also love running, yoga and being outside!
- AP Biology
- Biostatistics
- College Biology
- Conversational Italian
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Science
- High School Biology
- High School Physics
- IB Biology
- Italian
- Languages
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Science
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Physics
- Plant Biology
- Virology
What is your teaching philosophy?
Adapt my tutoring style to the student’s needs. Using visual and auditory learning and a lot of encouragement, we'll tackle a topic together!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
We can break down the skill or concept even further to clarify it. Or even look at a section of it at a time. If possible, we could even move onto something else and come back to it.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
It helps to ask them questions along the way. Have them finish a sentence or fill in a blank. This also helps me as a tutor to understand where they're at with the material and if we should review certain areas again.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
My optimistic personality will help them get through frustration that may arise when a topic is challenging. Once we get through some of the topic area, it's important to encourage and tell them what a good job they're doing.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Asking questions at the beginning of the lesson is extremely important. It allows you to gauge which areas need special focus and which ways the student may better approach the topic. I also encourage them to ask questions along the way. There is no such thing as a bad question, and they are encouraged to ask for clarification whenever they need it.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I like to use visuals during tutoring. I can draw while explaining a topic, so there's auditory and visual learning occurring at the same time. Especially for the sciences, having visuals that can be explored more deeply has always helped me (as a tutor and a student).
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
We'll take some time to get acquainted. And then we'll discuss the area that needs some clarification and jump right in. After some tutoring in the topic area, we'll discuss the strategy the game plan and encourage the student. The first session allows me to gauge where the student's at with the material and how to approach future sessions together.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Once I help the student figure out the best way they learn, they can apply that to future independent studying. Sometimes the overwhelming material can cloud the approach, which makes a big difference. Hopefully, an approach that works with the student's learning style will create confidence and independence in the future.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
My optimistic personality and energy will help me to encourage the student as we tackle a topic together. Positive comments throughout the session help the student to see the topic as approachable instead of overwhelming.