Miriam
Certified Tutor
Many times success is more the result of hard work than talent!
My name is Miriam Benard. I am originally from Central America, have been living in South Florida for almost 35 years now and have witness the growth of this beautiful city. I love the outdoors and to meet new people. I have two college children, a lovely husband and a very loyal yellow lab.
My professional life has taken place in the Financial Industry, approximately 25 years in several fields, especially on the International side. I have been blessed to have had for employers, a few of the world's best multinational American as well as European Banking Institutions. That has permitted me to acquire vast knowledge in most if not all of the areas of Banking and Brokerage industries. I have also acquired a certificate to teach English and Spanish as a second language.
I am very excited in providing students with real world scenarios, practical tips, and a simple yet efficient learning process.
Connect with a tutor like Miriam
Undergraduate Degree: Florida International University - Bachelor in Arts, Business and Psychology
Graduate Degree: Nova Southeastern University - Masters in Business Administration, Business
During my free time I play Racquetball. I also love acting and go to the Theatre. Reading is important. Scuba Diving when I can. Nature is amazing!
What is your teaching philosophy?
Success and happiness depend on the ability to achieve the things you want in life. So, learning is sometimes difficult and demanding, but very rewarding!
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
First, get to know each other a little and try to find out the student's specific needs.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
It's important to know one's goals and objectives. I try to make students establish clear and specific steps in order to meet these goals.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I think it all starts with the teacher/tutor and how motivated they are in teaching. But, some of the ingredients for students to stay motivated are: Give them a sense of control, and define goals that are attainable. Praise them. Encourage self-reflection and responsibility. Track our progress, and make learning fun!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Take the time to decipher the obstacle in learning the skill. Make them aware or provide the opportunity for them to discover what is it that they are doing wrong or bring a new perspective to the topics.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
First, identify what they do or don't understand. Then, use appropriate strategies to monitor their comprehension by using graphs or illustrations. Motivate them to ask questions and to summarize content.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
It depends on the student and the topic, but first and foremost, is to get to know your students and their capabilities.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
By trying to look at the subject from another perspective. Motivate them in achieving comprehension and encourage them by being patient and in control.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Ask the student to summarize, paraphrase, and illustrate the concepts learned. These are some of the techniques, but there are others depending on the subject.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By letting them own the material, by showing them that they are in control. By reinforcing what they've learned and mastered.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
First by assessing what they've learned and if objectives have been met. That will give me an idea where we are in the learning process.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
First, by assessing the student's capabilities and learning skills. I will slow down or increase the pace depending on the situation.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Depends on the subject, but an iPad, pencils, notebooks and a small whiteboard if possible.