Mirjana
Certified Tutor
I was born and raised in Europe. I finished the high school there and then moved to the US. I am currently working on my Associates of Science Degree, Business Administration Management. When I moved to the US I started volunteering in a GED program as a Tutor/Peer mentor. I have taken Math classes from the age of 6 to 19, and I am very comfortable with math. Tutoring at the GED program was very challenging because each one of the students was unique in their mindset. I have been tutoring over a year now mostly in math, but also in social studies, science, and English language. My biggest achievements in teaching are when my students succeed in their education. Most of the students I have taught pursued their GED. My philosophy in teaching is to always relate everything I teach with the student's interests or hobbies. I like asking questions to better understand the troubles they are experiencing with the material. Teaching to me is always about the student. I encourage them to ask questions about anything I am trying to explain. I am very patient and do not mind going over the same material a couple of times. What I love most about tutoring, is seeing the progress that students make. Seeing them going from "hating" math to liking it, is my biggest reward. Outside of my academic life I like outdoor activities, working out, reading self-improvement books, and exploring the city. Since I am still new to New York, I love going to neighborhoods I have never visited to figure out the history. I am very friendly and optimistic. I love working with people. I find it amazing how each one of us is unique.
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Undergraduate Degree: CUNY Bronx Community College - Current Undergrad, Business Administration and Management
Outdoors, working out, exploring the city.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Asking questions is the first thing I do when I start teaching students. I want to understand their way of thinking, so I can adjust my explanations to their mindset. I teach using examples that students can easily relate to.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I want to know more about the student's personality and hobbies. This way I can connect their hobbies with the math I am teaching.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I strongly encourage understanding and analytical thinking. I help students set their goals and follow up with them.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would figure out the areas the student is struggling with and slowly walk through the steps of overcoming them. I always let students know that they are doing a great job, and every effort they put in will be paid off later.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I ask questions about their interests or favorite hobby and then figure out a way how to relate math to their specific interest. It always works ;)
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
By simply breaking down the meaning of each word and then linking everything together. I encourage critical thinking.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Asking questions, using visual patterns, taking down notes, breaking everything down to the simplest element.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Simply by making the subject relate to their interests..
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Patiently understand the specific thing on the material that the student is struggling in understanding. After doing so, breaking that specific part in simple components is the way to ensure the student is understanding the material.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By practicing and getting all the right answers.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Asking questions is my number one way of identifying the student's needs. The next one is seeing how the student performs on the material that s/he is struggling
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
It is always about the student. I am a very open-minded thinker, thus can adapt my teaching methods to the student.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Pen, pencil, paper, calculator, colors.