
Justin
Certified Tutor
In 2012 I received my B.S. in Environmental Science at the University of Toledo. From there, I went north to the University of Michigan to get an M.S. in Conservation Ecology. Currently, I'm a PhD student at Bowling Green State University where I study and teach biology. Throughout my studies, I've gained a lot of experience in teaching, tutoring, and learning. I've worked with students that have unique learning styles, and that come from a diversity of backgrounds. This has equipped me to be an effective teacher, and to help my students reach their learning goals.
I enjoy figuring out the learning styles of each student. This allows me to help students when it comes to learning, studying, and test taking. My goal is to help my students become independent learners, so that they can be successful in their academic future. In addition, I try to help students apply coursework to real-world scenarios to make concept relevant.
Typically, I work with students looking to improve their understanding in math, science, and standardized tests (i.e. ACT, SAT, GRE). But I also serve as a general tutor in all academic subjects when needed.
Connect with a tutor like Justin
Undergraduate Degree: University of Toledo - Bachelors, Environmental Science
Graduate Degree: University of Michigan - Masters, Natural Resource Management
travel, camping, roasting coffee, reading
- 10th Grade
- 10th Grade Math
- 11th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Science
- 7th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Science
- 8th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Science
- 9th Grade Math
- ACT Math
- ACT Science
- Agricultural Science
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Statistics
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Biology
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP Natural Sciences
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- College English
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Science
- English
- Entomology
- Environmental Science
- ESL/ELL
- Evolution
- Evolutionary Biology
- GED Prep
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Geology
- Geometry
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Subject Test in Mathematics
- GRE Subject Tests
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- History of Science
- Intermediate Algebra
- Languages
- Latin America History
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Middle School
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Science
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Social Studies
- Spanish 1
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Upper Level
- Statistics Graduate Level
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
- World Religions
- Writing
- Zoology
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe each student learns differently, and I like to incorporate student-specific learning strategies into my tutoring sessions. This helps me better communicate ideas to students, and it reaches students where they learn best.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I help my students become independent learners by teaching them important study skills and time management strategies.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help my students stay motivated through active learning. This engages students in the learning process and allows them to think critically and creatively about subject material.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
It's very important for me to learn how my students learn. Therefore, when I start working with a new student, I try to get to know their personality, their hobbies, and I try different exercises to understand how they learn new concepts.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
During a first session, I want to get to know how my new student learns, and what their target goals are.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To test a student's understanding of subject material, I ask students to explain key concepts to me in their own words. I'll ask them more difficult questions to help develop problem-solving skills.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Building a student's confidence is extremely important to finding success in the classroom. I highlight the progress each student has made above all else. I want students to see that they are growing and moving forward.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I'll bring a laptop to each session for visual learning. For most math and science, I bring a notebook and will draw out key concepts.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I like to figure out how my students learn and what types of things they enjoy. If I can relate the tricky subject matter to something they understand, then it helps them learn.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
In reading comprehension, I encourage students to creating concept maps. It's helpful to find the main ideas in a passage and draw them out. Once students get used to making concept maps, over time they will be able to make concept maps in their mind as they're reading a passage.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I try to connect the subject matter to something that happens in the real-world. Whether it's math or science, it makes a lot more sense when you can relate it to your everyday life.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I will ask students questions about different aspects of the subject material. I rotate between difficult and easy questions. This helps me figure out which areas the student does well, and which areas the students need extra help.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Each student learns differently and has a different educational experience. I try to figure out the student's goal and main needs in a subject. I then design the lessons around those goals and needs.