Johnny: Downey tutor
Certified Tutor
As a recent Latin Honors (Cum Laude) graduate at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) major, I wish to give back to my community and help the upcoming generation succeed.
Recently, I have begun applications to ADEA AADSAS dental school and wish to spend my extra time inspiring and teaching others. I have 1.5 years of experience in peer tutoring other colleagues in a one-on-one setting as well as younger elementary school children.
My philosophy of teaching is to provide an outside-the-box perspective of understanding the problem. I believe that understanding the problem conceptually is extremely important to applying the learned knowledge to other problems. I wish to stick with my students and to never give up on them. Whether it be providing new tricks or methods of learning, I hope to persevere with the students as if I am learning the material myself again.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of California-Los Angeles - Bachelors, Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG)
Tennis, Rock Climbing, Ping Pong, Movies, KBBQ, Pokemon Go
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics 1
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Calculus
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- College Physics
- DAT
- DAT Perceptual Ability
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning
- DAT Reading Comprehension
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- Elementary School Math
- Geometry
- Graduate Test Prep
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- High School Physics
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Microbiology
- Middle School Math
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Physics
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Science
- Trigonometry
- Virology
What is your teaching philosophy?
To teach the material not just to solve the problem, but also to be able to apply it to all other types of problems.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would try to connect with the student first, to understand what the student is struggling with and what the student's strengths and weaknesses are. I would always like to connect with the students on other things such as hobbies.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I wish to teach students a foundation of the material and provide homework problems that can be applicable to it. However, I want the student to have fun and challenge themselves.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would be motivated in teaching to show the student that I am on his or her side the entire time. The student isn't alone.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would find alternative means to teach the concept such as visualizing it or learning a different type of trick to approach the problem.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would break down individual main ideas, then the paragraphs, and then the sentences.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found that if I am a boring teacher, the material itself will also be boring. Connecting with the student is critical in being able to teach something well.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would start out simple, and build my way up to harder problems. With each challenge, an answer will become more rewarding.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would find tricks, acronyms, diagrams, or other visual representations.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I believe that a lot of practice problems, followed by a test that has all the material that has previously been covered before, will build a student's confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the student based on their understanding during class and in their homework problems.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I will work slowly and efficiently with the student's needs as they may require it, even putting in extra time, as long as the student understands it.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I enjoy using a whiteboard and teaching the material, followed by problems on the board.