Mary: Oshawa tutor
Certified Tutor
As a high school teacher for the past eight years, I dedicated my time ensuring students succeed in the classroom. Although I have taken time off to be a stay at home mom, I remain dedicated to helping students learn and find success.
While in the classroom, along with my primary subject of biology, I had the opportunity to teach several different science classes such as chemistry, forensics, and physical science. During this time I also tutored several students in these subjects. I pride myself on being able to take difficult content, break it down, and present it in a easy to understand way.
I am easy going and easy to get along with. I have taught a variety of students and have always felt I was able to connect with each of them. This helps keep students interested and eager to learn.
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Undergraduate Degree: University Missouri St. Louis - Bachelors, Biolgy
Graduate Degree: University Missouri St. Louis - Masters, Master of Education
I love to spend time outdoors exploring. I enjoy hiking, biking, running, and camping. I also enjoy reading and watching sports.
- Biology
- College Biology
- Ecology
- High School Biology
- Homework Support
- Life Sciences
- Other
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that all students have the ability to succeed. When given the tools and support they need, there is no limit to what they may achieve.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I try and get to know my students. The better I know my students, the more equipped I am to help them.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Working with students on not just concepts, but on study skills and life skills, better equips them for success.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Students need encouragements, as well as seeing that they have the ability to learn. Once they have success, they strive to continue succeeding.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I try to break difficult concepts down into more manageable parts. Then, I relate those parts to prior knowledge or their interests. This makes difficult materials easier to handle.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I find that, if students slow down and focus on a smaller portion of the material at a time, they increase their understanding.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I allow students to show me what they are capable of first. This give them the confidence to move on to less familiar materials.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Most of the time students become disengaged when they struggle with a concept. By helping them become more confident, they become more excited.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Once the student has an understanding of the topic, I can begin to ask higher-level thinking questions. This allows me to make sure they do in fact understand the content and that they can apply their knowledge.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Pulling out a student's natural ability and allowing them to demonstrate their understanding results in a building of their confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Presenting the student with questions at different levels of knowledge allows a teacher to see where a student needs assistance, and where they are struggling.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
A student's needs are best assessed through open communication with the student and parent/guardian.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use recall, demonstration, and assessment during tutoring sessions. This allows the student to present what they know and apply it.