Barbara: Yorkville tutor
Certified Tutor
I have had success teaching/tutoring Algebra for 17 years in Virginia and Maine. I graduated from University of Maine - Farmington with Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education. I also have my AAS in Occupational Therapy Assistant and Business Administration - Management and Marketing. I love teaching Math especially Algebra. I have taught 3rd, 5th, 6th, Algebra I, and Geometry. I enjoy helping people learn to understand the concepts of Algebra. I look forward to helping you grow to like math especially Algebra. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my boys, my youngest son's robotic team, and outdoor activities.
Connect with a tutor like Barbara
Undergraduate Degree: University of Maine at Farmington - Bachelors, Elementary Education
kayaking, camping, gardening, dogs/cats.
- Arithmetic
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School Math
- Middle School Math
- Pre-Algebra
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is to help each person to reach his/her potential and understand the concepts of mathematics.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I want to get to know my student and my student's goals, strengths, weaknesses, and how he/she learns best.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I want to teach the student how to be successful at the problem, so they can teach someone else (or me). The concepts of math builds on one another so once one concept is mastered; it will encourage the student to want to move forward.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
We would try a variety of methods of teaching, sense of humor, and positive encouragement.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
We would break down the concept into smaller steps and work through each one until the student masters each concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would break down the language into simple English and work with more numbers.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I like to use lots of colors, step-by-step detailed instructions, visual/audio/listening, and breaking down concepts.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I work with the student to start with things that they like outside of math and then try to work problems around those interests, so he/she can see how math can relate to him/her.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would have the student explain the problem to me - how they would solve the problem.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I give positive encouragement, use his/her strengths, and work on small goals to give more success.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would identify the needs as we break down all concepts to make sure he/she has mastered the concepts. By watching and listening to how he/she solves a problem.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Learning how the student learns helps me to adapt my teaching. I love using a variety of techniques so I can change very easily to adapt to the student.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I love the online tools. If in person, I would use lots of color highlighting, examples, food, objects, and any means needed to explain concepts.