Kyle
Certified Tutor
Growing up as the oldest of five kids, I've spent a large part of my life being a tutor for my siblings. This helped me develop my teaching skills at a young age, and served me well when I became a recitation instructor at University of Colorado Denver, teaching upper-division genetics. My year-long tenure there only deepened my love of teaching and helped me strengthen my abilities to educate many different styles of learners. I also have the experience with graduate standardized testing, as I scored in the 95th percentile or above on the SAT, ACT, and MCAT.
Since graduating in May with two degrees in biology and psychology, I have spent my time going through the medical school application process. During the upcoming year, I hope to help tutor those still in school not only to keep on my toes academically, but to help those who may be struggling with various subjects throughout their academic careers. There is no better feeling than watching someone have a eureka moment of understanding, and I look forward to meeting and working with new students.
As a Colorado native, I love spending my free time hiking and climbing my way through the Rockies. I also enjoy playing volleyball (being 6'8" has its advantages) and teaching myself to play the guitar.
Connect with a tutor like Kyle
Undergraduate Degree: University of Colorado Denver - Bachelor of Science, Biology & Psychology
Hiking, climbing, biking, playing guitar, DIY projects.
- 10th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Science
- 8th Grade Science
- ACT Prep
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Biology
- Biostatistics
- Chemistry
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
- Ecology
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Genetics
- Graduate Test Prep
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- Math
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- MCAT Verbal Reasoning
- Middle School Science
- Physiology
- Pre-Algebra
- Probability
- PSAT Prep
- Psychology
- SAT Prep
- Science
- Statistics
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Vocabulary
What is your teaching philosophy?
It is my firm belief that anyone can learn anything. I can help break down complex, abstract subjects into manageable pieces to create the building blocks needed for learning.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
A first session is about finding out where you're at in the learning process so that I can meet you on your level. I want to address your needs so that we can tackle your goals together.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Being motivated is all about setting realistic goals. Instead of trying to master an entire subject all at once, let's work on improving on specific areas and topics to build up your knowledge base and strengthen your skills.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Excitement is all about how you look at something. Math is a common subject that people struggle to engage with, so I'll help you apply it in a way that interests you. Math has applications in biology, physics, astronomy, physiology, and more. Let's find an approach that fits within your passions.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Concept checks are crucial to engage in active learning. Instead of having tests that cover large swaths of material, let's practice problems that check your understanding of individual concepts so that we can target exactly what we need to work on together.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It depends on the student. I've used flashcards, whiteboard drawings, stories, mini-quizzes, and presentations. Each student learns in a specific way, so I will cater my tools to your individual learning style.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
The first step is to look at all the parts of the concept and break it into little pieces. Is it the terminology that's the issue, or is it a technical piece? When we find what the issue is, we can turn that piece and look at it from another perspective to help understand it.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
There are two main ways I help students build their confidence. The first is to show them how much they already know and demonstrate what they've learned working together with me. The second is to illuminate the subject we're working on and show them it's not an impossible task by structuring learning in a step-by-step process that can be slowly mastered.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate a student's needs by checking their understanding of individual concepts to see where the problem areas exist, and by really listening. Often, the student knows what curve balls they're struggling with. I'll listen and make sure that I'm addressing their personal needs.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help students become independent learners by working with them to develop strategies that will help them tackle new material and new concepts.