Chris: Norwalk tutor
Certified Tutor
I have dedicated the last 23 years of my life to educating students at both the Middle and High School levels and have really enjoyed the ride throughout those years. My experiences have been teaching both in a brick and mortar school and even a few years of teaching strictly online. In addition, I have been an Administrator and Athletic Director.
My passion though is in teaching students face-to-face or helping those that need additional help both face-to-face and online. The real excitement is to meet a student where they are academically, then develop a plan of where they want to be and how "we" are going to get the student there!
Keep in mind I always think education is a team effort, we all do our part to help students achieve their goals. In many cases some students may just need a bit of help to succeed in a class. In other cases, a student may really be struggling and need an exceptional amount of help. In either case, I will do my best to assess what help you need and identify sources that I have that will help a student thrive.
I am here to help either face-to-face or virtually, or both. What ever I can to help students make this a beneficial learning experience I will do it!
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Undergraduate Degree: Pacific University - Bachelors, History/psychology
Graduate Degree: University of Portland - Masters, Education
Sports, hiking, fishing, reading, spending time with my family, and travelling
- High School Level American History
- High School World History
- History
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- US Constitutional History
- World History
What is your teaching philosophy?
Continue to strive to reach students. Understand there will be obstacles and there will be bad days; however, never give up!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Ask a series of questions necessary to get to know them and their background.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I'd pose questions beyond the normal assignment to get them to think outside of the box.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By communicating with them and continuing to get to know them as a person in the process.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I'd find alternative ways of teaching to concept; possibly how the concept relates to other related topics.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I model reading and then discuss what we just read in "our" terms.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
First, getting to know them. Understand they are a person before they are a student.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Present it in a different manner. Instead of just lecturing, I relate it to other events, people, or concepts.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
A holistic approach, by relating the topic to other topics or events that are similar.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
With positive reinforcement and continuing to coach them along the way. Do not make it all about the learning, but also about them feeling better about themselves.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By questioning them or their parents, and then by any documentation that is provided.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Again, just meeting them where they are and understanding their needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Books, PowerPoints, notes, and useful Internet links. Preparation beforehand is key though.