
Claire
Certified Tutor
I am a graduate of Whitman College where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Geology-Environmental Studies. Since graduation I have worked in two different outdoor schools allowing me the opportunity to develop my skills as a teacher. There, I taught classes that ranged from science-heavy forest and aquatic ecology to those that emphasized interpersonal growth like high ropes and cooperation, developing my own lesson plans and adapting them to different states' curricula and to students' ages and personalities. My classes focused on allowing students to explore the world around them, and to ask their own questions, creating an open space where they could learn how to challenge themselves. Both schools at which I taught operated with rotating groups coming for three days therefore requiring me to remain flexible and to build rapport fast, skills essential to my success.
I most enjoy teaching environmental and earth science, but also enjoy teaching math and writing. I most enjoy when those subjects intersect or finding a way for them to intersect depending on the skills of my students. In my opinion, education is not just about the specific details taught but also about the process of learning. Therefore, I try and incorporate experiential education as much as possible in my teaching.
Outside of tutoring, I enjoy hiking and exploring the natural world, reading, writing, and traveling. I also enjoy a fine cup of tea on rainy days.
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Undergraduate Degree: Whitman College - Bachelors, Geology-Environmental Studies
Hiking, backpacking, reading, writing, poetry, music, baking break
- Algebra
- Arithmetic
- College English
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- English
- Environmental Science
- Geometry
- High School English
- Math
- Pre-Algebra
- Reading
- Science
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Teaching is about the student and about inspiring students to explore what interests them.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Asking questions and asking more questions.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Each session I would make sure I leave time to discuss what the student has achieved in the past session or week. I would also make frequent small goals with the student that are achievable and commend the student on reaching them.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Keep finding new ways to teach it and to constantly revisit the subject until the student feels comfortable with the topic.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
To let the student know what my goals are for the session and to be clear with them about what we are to cover. Building rapport with a student is important. So, I'd make sure the student knows a little bit about me, but also knows that I am fully invested in their success.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Making small goals with them and commending them on achieving those goals. I would find out what learning style is most successful for the student and make sure I utilize that information when teaching.