Anika: Rensselaer County tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a recent graduate from the University of Washington (Go Huskies!) with a Bachelors degree in general biology. My future goal is to become a high school biology teacher. I have done peer tutoring as well as lab help with AP ecology students. I am able to help with cell biology, ecology, life sciences, and environmental science. My favorite subject to tutor would be cell biology because it's the most fun to draw out and visualize. The cell is the building block of life and it is amazing that such diverse small things can produce life. My teaching style is hands on and based on asking questions rather than giving answers. Making sure that your child has a strong foundation is especially important in the sciences. When not thinking about biology I am out in the sunshine playing with my dog bandit or frequenting my local coffee shop reading a good book. I also love football!
Connect with a tutor like Anika
Undergraduate Degree: University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Coffee, cooking, sports, football, running, walking my dog, reading
- Biology
- College Biology
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- General Biology
- High School Biology
- Life Sciences
- Science
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching style is hands-on, and based on asking questions rather than giving answers.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
We dive right in, so I can assess where the student will need help. I often get a sense of how they have been studying and what they are looking to gain out of sessions with me.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I make sure that they begin to ask and answer their own questions about assignments. I begin by guiding the questions, and then I try to have them think about the topic in a different way.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By giving them small wins and positive reinforcement.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Typically, if they are not understanding a skill or concept, there is a root cause. I try to get to the bottom of the problem and start from a stronger foundation.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Take it slow. We will break down the question or the passage piece by piece.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I remain upbeat about the subject myself. It's easy to get caught up in the negativity.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I will repeat questions in different ways. Or, I will circle back to a topic and ask them to recite what they had previously learned. If they are unable to remember, we will go over the topic again.