Rebekah: Harvey tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a recent graduate from Columbia University where I majored in neuroscience and philosophy. I have been tutoring for many years both privately and more formally in the classroom setting, focusing mainly on students in grades 9-12 (although I have worked with essentially all ages). In my career-plan, I am aiming to become a professor and researcher in the sciences and psychology--this is derived from my love of teaching and inspiring passion in others for what they may not naturally find interesting. I have cultivated many skills that are incredibly useful for students aiming to maintain a solid GPA, do well on the SATs, and get into the college of their choice. I especially know, very well, what admissions committees are looking for, and I have facilitated the acceptance of many students (who struggled considerably with academics and standardized tests) into ivy league and other top tier schools. I believe that the most successful learning comes when the student is able to develop a self-sustaining curiosity and interest in the subject matter, and, along with imparting skills and techniques to maintain grades and test scores, I have developed techniques myself to make students feel this sort of interest in what they're studying (even for the subjects that had previously seemed to be the most mundane).
Connect with a tutor like Rebekah
Undergraduate Degree: Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelors, Psychology
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1450
- SAT Verbal: 710
writing, reading, music, science, arts
- Algebra
- College English
- College Essays
- Conversational Spanish
- English
- High School English
- Languages
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- PSAT Critical Reading
- Psychology
- Reading
- SAT Reading
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
- Spanish 1
- Spanish 2
- Spanish 3
- Spanish 4
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that successful teaching occurs when the students become curious about the subject matter for themselves. The best way to optimize academic performance is to instill in students a self-motivated interest in what they are learning, while providing guidance and support to ensure the students maximize their potential.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
First, I think it's important to get to know one another to a certain degree--to understand each other's teaching/learning styles and to ensure the student is comfortable. Then, I would review and assess what the student already knows, as well as his/her feelings about the subject matter.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Again, the best way to help students learn on their own is to teach in a way that makes the subject matter relevant and interesting--self-motivated curiosity is much more powerful than learning that is done for the sake of getting grades and nothing more. Additionally, it is essential to impart techniques and studying strategies that can be used at home. When a student has honed his/her ability to think critically, learning can occur successfully in and out of the classroom.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Sometimes it's hard for a student to see the reason for staying motivated and doing well in school. A good tutor can help students discover why learning and doing well is important to them, and help cultivate passion that will ultimately be much more sustainable than doing work because of obligation. Additionally, a good tutor can help expand a student's horizon and make him/her excited about what doing well can bring them.