Melinda
Certified Tutor
I'm all about problem solving; whether designing drugs, computer applications, or basic chemistry and math problems it all starts with the same steps:
A) What do I know?
B) What do I want to know?
C) How do I get from A to B?
I did PhD research in computational chemistry and dream of becoming a middle school math teacher if I win the lottery.
PS - My online sessions will frequently be monitored by my chihuahua, Piper. She's quiet, but expect a pop-by :)
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Undergraduate Degree: Thomas Edison State College - Bachelors, Natural Science and Mathematics
Graduate Degree: Stony Brook University - Masters, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Knitting and Crochet, Candy Crush, Science Communication
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Bioinformatics
- Biology
- Business
- Business Analytics
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP Biology
- CLEP Chemistry
- CLEP College Algebra
- CLEP College Mathematics
- College Application Essays
- College Chemistry
- College Math
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- English
- GED Prep
- GED Math
- GED Science
- Genetics
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- IB Biology
- IB Chemistry
- IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
- Math
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Middle School
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Science
- Molecular Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Other
- Perl
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Reading
- Science
- Technology and Coding
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
Students learn best by doing problems and talking through their process. I like to have a student talk me through what they understand so we can correct any flaws in background knowledge, as well as build a scaffold to solve future problems.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Students turn to tutoring when they are getting stuck or lost. I would start with having them describe the problems that are tripping them up. I'll then have them summarize the key fundamentals that build the base of solving that problem with directed questioning. If we find a hole or holes we have our starting material. I'll then give them the short answers to build a scaffold back to where they need to be, and I'll give them some readings or YouTube videos to review and build a deeper understanding.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The key to learning is to find patterns to tie new knowledge back into what you already know. I'll have students reflect on what they already know and how this new information builds on this knowledge. By learning to reflect and question, I'll show students how to transform data into knowledge.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Motivation disappears when frustration arises. Students know a lot more than they think, it's connecting this prior information together that provides "aha!" moments and will keep students interested in learning.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Ask questions! Find what building blocks are missing from the pyramid that this knowledge should be resting on.