Carolyn
Certified Tutor
I believe that all learning begins with curiosity; if a first little spark of interest can be kindled, understanding will soon follow. During my time spent serving as a volunteer tutor during both my high school and undergraduate years, I was able to help many students increase their knowledge of History, English Literature, and Grammar. Additionally, I was also able to help others gain the skill sets necessary for accomplished essay writing and SAT Verbal Test Preparation. My goal is to always guide the student towards a deeper comprehension of the subject matter, with development of the corresponding techniques and sense of confidence necessary for success.
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Undergraduate Degree: The College of Saint Elizabeth - Bachelor in Arts, History
Graduate Degree: Drew University - Master of Science, American History
reading, writing, book repair, volunteering
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 12th Grade Reading
- 12th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- 2nd Grade Reading
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 3rd Grade Reading
- 3rd Grade Writing
- 4th Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Writing
- 5th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Writing
- 6th Grade Reading
- 6th Grade Writing
- 7th Grade Reading
- 7th Grade Writing
- 8th Grade Reading
- 8th Grade Writing
- 9th Grade Reading
- 9th Grade Writing
- ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension
- Adult Literacy
- American Literature
- Ancient and Medieval Heritage
- AP Art History
- AP Comparative Government and Politics
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP European History
- AP Human Geography
- AP U.S. Government & Politics
- AP United States History
- AP US Government
- AP US History
- AP World History
- Art History
- Civics
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP American Government
- CLEP History of the United States I
- CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
- CLEP Social Sciences and History
- CLEP Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
- CLEP Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present
- College Application Essays
- College English
- College Essays
- College Geography
- College Level American History
- College Level American Literature
- College Political Science
- College World History
- Comparative Literature
- Constitutional Law
- Elementary School English
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- Geography
- Government
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Verbal
- High School English
- High School Geography
- High School Level American History
- High School Level American Literature
- High School Political Science
- High School World History
- High School Writing
- History
- IB Language A: Language and Literature
- Latin America History
- Literature
- Middle School English
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Persuasive Writing
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- PSAT Critical Reading
- PSAT Writing Skills
- SAT Reading
- SAT Verbal
- SAT Writing and Language
- Social Sciences
- Social Studies
- Test Prep
- The Modern World
- US Constitutional History
- US History
- Vocabulary
- World Civilization
- World History
- World Literature
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I always try to spark and engage with every student's natural curiosity. I believe that learning occurs best when the student's interests are placed first, when they feel free to ask questions and chase ideas, and when their individual unique learning style (visual, auditory, or spatial, etc.) is given priority.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, my focus is on finding out what the student's individual needs are - what does he or she need help with or want to improve or want to discover? I also look for clues as to the student's unique learning style so that I will know what teaching methods are best suited to meet the student's needs and educational goals.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The key to independent learning, I believe, is confidence - confidence in his or her abilities (to learn, to complete whatever educational task with success). In order to create this confidence, my goal is to teach the student whichever tools and/or learning methods they need and to guide them through practice and mastery of these skills.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I am a big believer in positive motivation through encouragement and careful listening. I always try to give praise when a student asks a question, demonstrates progress, or gives an answer. Good listening is vital, too - if the student feels that his or her concerns are being heard and treated with respect, this helps the student feel confident that their needs will be met, allowing for positive motivation.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student is experiencing difficulty learning a skill or concept, my first priority is adapting my own teaching style to better assess the student's difficulty and adequately meet it.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
If a student is struggling with reading comprehension, I try to help by first figuring out the root of the student's difficulty so that the proper skill or methods can be taught. By working together to discover the source of the student's problem, we are able to resolve the issue and the student feels confident in their new-found skill, facilitating future reading comprehension success.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
When I start to work with a student, I use careful listening and relaxed discussion to pinpoint their learning goals and to figure out which skills they are seeking to improve upon or gain.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
If a student is struggling with a particular subject, I would try to foster their excitement by making the subject matter more relatable by demonstrating its applicability to their own life and worldview. Humor is also very helpful to heighten engagement.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To make certain that the student understands the material, I'll ask for their opinion on the subject matter and/or for them to explain the topic in their own words.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
To build the student's confidence in the material, I walk them through the learning process, demonstrating the needed skills and providing encouragement every step of the way.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
When evaluating a student's needs, my first step is to ask the student what he or she would like to accomplish by the end of our session(s). I also pay careful attention to any problem areas and/or skills in which the student would benefit from encouragement and improvement.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
To better meet each individual student's needs, I adapt my tutoring methods to best suit the student's personal learning style. Some students benefit from visual feedback such as the use of diagrams or pictures, while others need to receive written instruction or be walked through topics step by step.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
During a typical tutoring session, I'll use written materials (such as articles or sections from a book), visual pieces (like pictures and maps and diagrams), and online resources (videos and articles).