Jordan
Certified Tutor
I recently gained my B.A. in Political Science and B.S. in Linguistics with a minor in Spanish from Truman State University. During my time in school I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain. It was the experience of a lifetime and gave me a variety of skills that I think help me to tutor students not only in Spanish, but other subjects as well. Why? Because I have firsthand experience with not only what its like to be surrounded by people who do not speak your language, but the variety of discomforts that entails. The initial discomfort of being abroad is not that different from the discomfort of knowing you need help with a subject. I know. I have been there. I absolutely love learning languages and have spent countless hours pouring over textbooks and grammars (with guitar breaks in between) in order to learn as much about as many of them as I can. But Id be lying if I stated that I had never struggled. For me, the only thing worse than not understanding something is having to ask for help. As a tutor, I try to keep that in mind in order to allow students to realize their full potential. My job is not simply to teach. My job is to provide students with the tools and confidence necessary to teach themselves, and have fun doing it!
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Undergraduate Degree: Truman State University - Bachelors, B.A. Political Science/ B.S. Linguistics
- ACT Reading: 32
Guitar, Singing, Language Learning (aspiring polyglot), Comparative Politics, Video Games, Physics, Running.
- ACT Reading
- ACT Writing
- College English
- College Essays
- College Political Science
- Conversational Spanish
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- High School English
- High School Political Science
- Languages
- Phonics
- Political Science
- Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
- Spanish 1
- Spanish 2
- Spanish 3
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Every student is unique. So every student has a unique learning style. The best way to help you succeed then is to know what works for YOU.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Pre-test and get to know each other! This experience should be fun for both of us. But, I also need to know where you sit so we can go forward full steam ahead, and help you advance quickly!
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Rewards! Any subject is always easier to learn if it's relevant to you! What better way than by making success worthwhile?
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
That depends on the student. First, I would check what methods I could afford to change, and which ones had to continue. Then, I would talk to the student to determine where they were struggling. Finally, if all else failed, I'd move on to related concepts so that we could come back to it once the student was more comfortable.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
By connecting it to something they enjoy and care about.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By progressively encouraging them to be able to teach ME a given concept. A student who can teach (even poorly) is a student who has even a basic confidence in a subject. It's my job to provide a basis for and validate that confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Two ways; first, via a pre-test so that I have a genuine measure of where the student sits and what they struggle with. Secondly, by talking with the student. We can take tests all day. However, when it comes down to it, a test is only a fraction of the knowledge a person may possess. I want to know where YOU think you struggle so that I can show you that you're wrong, or help you to improve.