Matthew: Sussex tutor
Certified Tutor
There are few achievements more satisfying than finally conquering a new concept or skill, which at the start seemed daunting and impossible. Tutoring allows one to share in that satisfaction of the successes of the student. My part-time tutoring in college helped me realize this, and has inspired me to pursue a career helping others on their journey to knowledge.
I will do everything I can to help my students achieve success. I am confident in my knowledge, my skills, and my ability to impart that knowledge to others. Perhaps more importantly, I am never ashamed to admit the limits of my knowledge. In those cases, I can nearly always learn for myself, and help the student to learn too.
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Undergraduate Degree: Saint Martin's University - Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Hiking, fishing, art, music, dogs
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- Arithmetic
- ASVAB Prep
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- Calculus 3
- College Algebra
- College Physics
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- Geometry
- High School Physics
- Math
- Mechanical Engineering
- Middle School Math
- Multivariable Calculus
- Physics
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Science
- Statistics
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
What is your teaching philosophy?
Our failures are some of the greatest opportunities to advance our knowledge.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The same thing I will do with my last student, and every one in between, offer my knowledge in a goofy, fun, clear, and concise way.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By ensuring it is okay to fail, while guiding them as they find the path to the answer for themselves.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By offering ways of seeing their problems not as obstacles, but puzzles, and by reinforcing that attainment of knowledge in any form can be a struggle, but incredibly rewarding.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Shake it up! Offer different explanations, use different techniques, or simply come back to the challenging spot at a later time.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Ask questions, guiding them to an understanding of the current struggle. Comprehending any reading involves providing context.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I love dorky math jokes. One of the biggest challenges to learning is the stress and anxiety of struggling. I do my best to put all of my students at ease, to lower stress, and allow for learning to flow smoothly and naturally.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Try to relate the subject to something else. Drawing on the student's interests allows them to find a foundation on which they can build new understanding.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
The best way to learn is to teach. The student can explain to me what they have learned, which forces them to organize the new information, while allowing me to discover any trouble spots.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
It's exciting for anyone to look back on the progress they have made. Reminding the student of how far they have come and highlighting their strengths is a great way to build confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By paying close attention to what the student struggles with, along with noticing their strengths, what the student needs should be apparent.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Continual checking for comprehension, coupled with diverse tutoring techniques, helps address a student's needs. Flexibility is important so that the right format or technique that suits the student can be employed.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
The proper gear is important, such as pencils, whiteboards, etc. Beyond that, new technology can be used, along with other visual aids, to better demonstrate a concept.