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A photo of Thomas, a tutor from Saint John's Seminary

Thomas

Certified Tutor

I have taught for 33 years and recently retired as a principal for a private-parochial school. In my teaching career, I have experienced the importance of “embracing diversity” as an important tool in lifelong learning. By listening to students, parents, and fellow educators, one is able to be “responsive to serving the educational needs of a diverse and ever-changing community.” I can bring many unique talents, great organizational skills, a love to teach, and a positive outlook to any program. I believe it is important to build lasting bridges and partnerships between students, parents, staff, and community. Education should empower students to Learn, Serve, and Lead.

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Thomas’ Qualifications
Education & Certification

Undergraduate Degree: Saint John's Seminary - Bachelors, Philosopht

Graduate Degree: Mount Saint Mary College - Masters, Religious Studies

Hobbies

Running, Gym, Tennis, Reading, Travel, and Woodworking.

Tutoring Subjects
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Arithmetic
College English
College Geography
College Level American History
Elementary Math
Elementary School
Elementary School Math
English
English Grammar and Syntax
Essay Editing
Geography
High School English
High School Geography
High School Level American History
History
Homework Support
Math
Middle School
Middle School Math
Other
Phonics
Pre-Algebra
Reading
Social Studies
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?

A teacher needs to know a student's interests and understand their strengths and weaknesses in learning styles.

What is your teaching philosophy?

Education should empower students to learn, serve, and lead.

How can you help a student become an independent learner?

A student can become an independent learner by helping students to understand and use the basic tools needed to comprehend and apply the subject matter.

How would you help a student stay motivated?

A student can stay motivated by reviewing previous material and presenting new concepts in a "fun" environment that seeks to help students not deter them.

If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?

Immediately switch directions and move on to a different topic and then come back to the difficult skill and reteach it in a different way.

How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?

Reading needs to be fun. By selecting material that the student is interested in, a teacher can lead them into a positive experience.

What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
  1. Get to know the student and their interests
  2. Understand their negative and positive experiences in school
  3. Teach them from where they are and bring them up to speed
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?

Present it in a way that interests them, and help them to see how it applies to something they are interested in.

What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?

Assessment in oral, written, and "hands on."

How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?

Start out with something I know they can master and feel successful to build up their confidence, and then continue on with the more difficult aspects of the subject.

How do you evaluate a student's needs?

By observing, assessment, and LISTENING to the student, a teacher is able to evaluate the student's needs.

How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?

As a teacher who has taught students in Grade 2 through College, I have learned many ways to reach out to students to tap into their unique learning abilities, and to help them to succeed.

What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?

I use paper/pencil, drawing, a tablet, questions/answers, and model teaching to help improve student learning.