Jennifer: New Mexico tutor
Certified Tutor
I have enjoyed working with students since I was in high school. I started tutoring my peers in mathematics as a senior and continued tutoring as a work study at Seton Hill University while working towards my Mathematics Education degree. Even though I work as a permanent teacher, I still enjoying the one on one aspect that tutoring provides. There is nothing I love more than the "ah-hah" moment a student has when it all clicks. I believe that every student can learn, it is just finding the right way to teach them. When I teach students, I like to guide students to the answer instead of just telling them. I believe that this helps a student master the material and learn it better. I tutor students in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. My favorite subjects to tutor are Algebra I and AP Calculus. I enjoy setting the foundation for my students with Algebra I and challenging them with AP Calculus. When I am not teaching, I love spending time watching my son play soccer or my daughter dance. I also love to be outside, whether I am boating, swimming, or skiing.
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Undergraduate Degree: Seton Hill Univeristy - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics Education
Graduate Degree: St. Vincent College - Master of Science, Curriculum and Instruction
Outdoor activities like skiing, swimming, and hiking, reading, puzzles
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
A typical first session would consist of the student and I getting to know each other. We would find those areas of common interest that I can use to help them increase their knowledge in mathematics.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by forming a relationship with them. I'd also structure the sessions in such a way that they want to come back because they have no idea what I'm going to do next.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has difficulty with a concept, I would try to find a different approach for explaining it. The joy of math is that there is more than one way to approach a problem. The trick is finding the one that makes the most sense for the student.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The best strategy is to show them small successes. Most students think they need tutoring in math because they aren't math people. If you can show them the little things they can do, you can build up to the bigger things and increase their confidence.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would used tiered activities, starting with me guiding them through the problem and working towards them completing the problems on their own with little to no help from me.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would increase a student's confidence by showing them that they know more than they realize and demonstrating that they can learn.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate a student's needs through questioning. Instead of being the "sage on the stage," I like to question the student about what is going on to see if they have any gaps in their background knowledge. I then address those as they arise.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Through my method of questioning, I can determine if a student has gaps in their background that may be prohibiting them from understanding the current material. This allows me to backtrack and adapt to their needs.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I like to use videos, guided problems, readings, and independent practice problems to help students.
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that all students can learn and will reach any bar that you set for them. Some need more help and more time than others, but in the end, they can all get there.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help them become independent learners by not only teaching them the material, but by teaching them how to study, practice, and work through the material on their own.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I help students who struggle with reading comprehension by adapting the lessons. For example, instead of giving them something to read, I may give them a video or read to them. Then, I'd work through what the reading means.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I try to tie what they are learning into their interests. If I can link it to their personal lives or to some fun piece of information, they are more likely to remember the material.