Esther: Richton Park tutor
Certified Tutor
I have recently graduated from the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors degree in Biomedical Sciences. This upcoming year I am going to the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University to get an MS in Nutrition and Metabolism.
I have been a tutor for college students for 2 years at my university, teaching Organic Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry. I've also helped high school students with college admission essays, and with kindergartners in the Junior Achievement program.
I enjoy working with children and finding creative ways for them to learn the material and to try to inspire a desire to learn by making learning fun for them. I also really enjoy teaching general chemistry, because I find the material fascinating. When I tutor a student, I don't just give them the answers, but rather I guide them to the answers. It is important that a student learns how to find the answers themselves so they do not become dependent on outside sources.
Connect with a tutor like Esther
Undergraduate Degree: University of Central Florida - Bachelor in Arts, Biomedical Sciences (honors)
I enjoy playing tennis and working on my 'guide to sustainable living" blog that I just started recently. I love spending times outdoors and connecting science to day-to-day life to better understand how the world works!
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra
- ACT Math
- Algebra
- Art
- Chemistry
- CLEP Chemistry
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- College English
- College Essays
- Elementary Algebra
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Writing
- English
- Essay Editing
- General Biology
- Handwriting
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- Honors Chemistry
- HSPT Math
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Organic Chemistry
- Public Speaking
- Test Prep
- Thermochemistry
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that to be a good teacher, one must not just teach the material, but rather teach the student how they can find solutions independently. I like to ask my students gradual questions starting from the base so the student realizes they know more than they think and is able to gain the confidence of finding the answers by themselves. I continue to ask them questions guiding them towards the answer. Anyone can teach, and YouTube could do it just as well, but not everyone can teach a student to learn and to acquire the thought processes needed to come to an answer on their own.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would gauge the student's understanding of the subject and see what areas they need a boost with. Then I would work though some sample problems to see the student's learning style: are they visual or auditory learners? This will help me structure my lessons to best suit the student and their unique needs.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By teaching them to find the answers within. It is important to instill confidence in the student so that they will realize they know more than they think, and will be able to work through problems without relying on outside sources as a safety net.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would always try to make what they are learning relevant to day-to-day life, so that they become genuinely interested in the subject and its applications to their own lives.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would find a method of teaching that works for that student. Everyone learns a different way, whether visually or verbally, and it is the teacher's job to discover what works and find a way to get the student interested so that they will enjoy the challenge.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Practice makes perfect. The key is to create lesson plans that are suitable for their age (be it a game or story reading) to ensure that they have no time to get frustrated and are improving while enjoying the process.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
First, I gauge their knowledge by simply conversing and asking questions. Then, I'll build my next lesson plans, depending on what they know and their age.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would try to find ways to connect what they are learning to their day-to-day lives, so it becomes more relevant to them, and therefore more interesting.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would have them teach it back to me.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
No matter what age a student is, they need to be rewarded. If they're young, a sticker would be a good incentive. If they're older, verbal reassurance is sufficient to let them know that they are improving and have the ability to learn and succeed.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would give them practice questions to see what they know, and depending on what they need to know, I would create lesson plans to reach that goal.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Depending on whether they are verbal or visual learners, I would adapt my lesson to their learning style. Maybe I'd bring in visual aids or draw things out; it all depends.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Again, depending on the student's age I would bring different things to class. A whiteboard is something I always like to have, as well as either games or sample problems.