Matthew
Certified Tutor
As the first in my family to attend college I have experienced adversity, but more importantly I have learned how to overcome my humble beginnings through hard work and determination. I am pursuing my third college degree and currently writing my master's thesis on morality. Working with students to enhance the quality of their work and assist them in mastering learning is something I am very passionate about. I have experienced first-hand what a profound impact education can have on one's life, quality of experiences, and interactions with others.
I believe what sets me apart as tutor is my ability to convey complex information in a an engaging and relatable way. I feel it is necessary to make a connection with my students based on trust and mutual respect, in order to ensure that both parties are being understood. I have taken many graduate courses in counseling have learned how to truly listen to others: which is essential for helping students achieve their goals and grow as individuals.
While I have been a lifetime learner and posses 13 years of formal education, I am a diverse person who enjoys eclectic interests. My hobbies include: hiking and long distance backpacking, road cycling, baseball (watching and playing), fitness and healthy living as well as cross country motorcycling. I am an animal and music lover who enjoys laughing with his family.
I am dedicated to providing quality instruction and looking forward to exhibiting my skill and knowledge for you or your student.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Houston-Clear Lake - Bachelors, Criminology
Graduate Degree: University of Houston-Clear Lake - Current Grad Student, Psychology
I enjoy reading, backpacking and hiking, road cycling, fitness, and baseball. I definitely am an animal lover, I just received my SCUBA certification, and I have been on many cross country motorcycle trips. I am looking forward to international travel one day and seeing many of the natural wonders I have read so much about.
- College English
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- High School English
- Other
- Psychology
- Reading
- Social Sciences
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying : " Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn." I believe involving and engaging students is paramount to learning. In every session, I encourage my students to think critically and truly experience learning by using real world examples, and helping them make relevant connections to the material. When students are allowed to explore subjects freely and uncover facts and techniques on their own, the effect is profound on their learning and knowledge retention. My job is not to quiz students relentlessly or regurgitate knowledge to them, as much as it is helping them find the key to unlock their learning potential.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first session with my student is extremely important, because it is when both student and tutor determine whether or not a tutor-student interaction is a good and mutually constructive fit. I believe it is important to establish a rapport with my students in order to build trust and facilitate the path to learning. From an academic standpoint, I establish which areas students need the most immediate attention, and focus on these needs while noting their secondary concerns. In some instances, the areas students need the most help with are not academic at all such: having trouble focusing, organization difficulty, and poor study skills; I have found that when I address these areas, the student's academic struggles greatly improve.