John
Certified Tutor
Learning improves your life. I have never been disappointed with having gained knowledge. I have found this truth to improve my circumstances in my professional and personal life. Sharing our knowledge is one of the greatest gifts we can give for individuals and for society as a whole. I seek to bring a joy and light-heartedness to learning that will encourage the student to overcome and perceived weaknesses and build confidence in their ability to learn on their own.
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Undergraduate Degree: Wesleyan University - Bachelor in Arts, Music and Lat. American Studies
- SAT Math: 720
Trombone, Jazz, Classical and Pop Music, Hiking, My daughter, Fine art, Creativity, Dancing, Sailing, Going to the Beach
What is your teaching philosophy?
With the appropriate encouragement and a healthy amount of patience, there is really no limit to a student's learning. I seek to illuminate concepts for students by seeking how they might apply things they can relate to in their everyday life.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
If through patience and helpful tutoring, a student improves and feels good about the knowledge and skills they are gaining, they quickly begin to apply these new ideas on their own.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would try to change my approach and review the ideas as many times as necessary in order to adequately break down the issue at hand. Repetition is indeed the father of knowledge.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I encourage them to read aloud and analyze each sentence. I give lots of positive encouragement.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
We will speak honestly about our goals and accomplishments as well as our shortcomings. I will assess what are the most crucial areas to focus on, and we will begin to develop a logical plan to improve the student's achievements. I will ask for a commitment from the student to their coursework and the time that we spend together.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
If I can find an area of interest that the student is passionate about, I will return to that when finding parallels to other areas where they may be seeking to improve their knowledge.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would break it down and try to set some smaller goals in terms of concepts. We will try to focus light on any points of confusion or contention that are keeping them from improving or acting as stumbling blocks in that particular line of study.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I will ask them to read aloud and demonstrate these concepts. I will ask them to explain them to me as I would to them.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Plenty of encouragement and patience is always fundamental in improving a student's confidence. Repetition is the often a good way to reinforce a feeling of security in any area of knowledge.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I ask the student and their parent/guardian what in particular they are seeking to improve first and foremost. I examine where they are in their studies by assessing current assignments they may be working on and give a keen eye to where they may be struggling.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
With time, one can assess where they are succeeding and what might require more focus. If I need to find auxiliary materials to elucidate concepts, I don't mind doing this on my own time for dedicated students.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I love bringing music to a tutoring session. This is particularly good for language and pronunciation study, but also fun to liven up the tutoring session and keep it fun. If I have additional worksheets or exercise materials that apply, I will gladly bring them.