Matthew
Certified Tutor
Greetings! I am a PhD student in bio statistics with a passion for teaching and helping others. I like taking a down-to-earth, goal-oriented approach to tutoring, and let students learn at their own pace.
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Undergraduate Degree: University Puget Sound - Current Undergrad, Molecular Cellular Biology
- ACT Composite: 32
- ACT Reading: 34
- ACT Science: 33
Swimming, Guitar, Piano, Basketball, Camping
- ACT Prep
- ACT English
- ACT Math
- ACT Reading
- ACT Science
- ACT Writing
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- High School Biology
- Math
- R Programming
- Science
- Statistics
- Statistics Graduate Level
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy involves 3 main steps: 1. What is the goal? 2. What information do we know? 3. How do we use this information to reach our goal?
With this structure, adapted to questions ranging from biology to mathematics and even to writing essays, we can organize our thought process to face intimidating situations.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would of course, introduce myself. I would get right down to business and ask them what troubles them most, and begin addressing challenges one at a time.
And I would probably teach them some of my favorite mind games!
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Intimidation, frustration, and a lack of confidence are the obstacles in the way of intellectual and academic success. Every student is capable of reaching a higher potential of learning. By turning learning into a type of game, and breaking down problems into smaller, manageable parts, I never need to provide the answers to students; they will draw upon their own style of learning to face any challenge.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Lack of motivation is either caused by boredom or a lack of sufficient challenge, or it is caused by frustration and repeated failure. Every challenge in school can be seen as a game, in the same way a video game might be played. Every essay can be seen as a tool of self-expression, similar to art. Every biology and science question that tests memorization can be approached as a physical challenge, somewhat similar to sports. Making school into a game is what allows students to have fun and take pride in their work.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Of course this depends on the skill or concept. Every problem can be approached from a dozen different directions, and often one teaching style for one student is not a good fit for another.