Stefan
Certified Tutor
I am a senior at Saint Louis University working towards a B.S. in Investigative Medical Sciences and a minor in Biology and will be attending the University of Oklahoma's College of Dentistry beginning this summer. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I tutored students in my various courses and found I was good at doing so. Upon realizing this, I looked for further opportunities to tutor other students, at which point I came across Varsity Tutors. My strongest subjects include English, ACT, DAT, Algebra,and Biology. I enjoy tutoring these subjects because a lot of progress can be made in them by simply looking at different strategies to approaching the subject material. I have come to understand that a great tutor is someone who can understand how a particular student learns and who works to explain the concept in a manner that encourages learning rather than tedious memorization. I believe I am aptly capable of doing so. Outside of my academic endeavors, I enjoy playing basketball and I am a DJ. I look forward to working with you to achieve and surpass your goals!
Connect with a tutor like Stefan
- ACT Composite: 32
- ACT English: 34
- ACT Reading: 35
Enjoys basketball, is a DJ
- ACT Prep
- ACT English
- ACT Math
- ACT Reading
- ACT Science
- Algebra
- Biology
- College Biology
- College English
- College Essays
- DAT
- DAT Perceptual Ability
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning
- DAT Reading Comprehension
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- English
- Essay Editing
- Geometry
- Graduate Test Prep
- High School Biology
- High School English
- Homework Support
- Math
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- Reading
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I have found that encouraging the student to push themselves past their comfort zone, and working together, approaching the subject as something beatable, gives the student the confidence they need to succeed.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first task is outlining a game plan. I would address the area(s) the student is struggling in, look at study methods that would improve their understanding of the subject, and at the end of the session, give them goals to achieve before our next session.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Confidence is key. It is my belief that every subject is "beatable." With the proper tools and techniques, one can succeed.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
There is so much out there! In today's world, education opens the door to so many exciting and eye-opening opportunities. I am thrilled to be working as a tutor to share my love for learning and look forward to helping others achieve their goals.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
While practice makes perfect, sometimes it is necessary to step back and see different ways a subject can be approached. In the case that a student struggles with a particular skill or concept, I would implement both of these strategies.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Context is a large aspect of understanding a passage. If a student can be taught to seek understanding of the "big picture" rather than getting caught up on words they may or may not know, this can quickly increase one's reading comprehension.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Besides practice, and lots of it, often if I find a student is still struggling with a subject, it may because they learn in a different manner than others or myself. In this case, it is important to develop study strategies that align with how that particular student learns.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Education opens the doors to so many opportunities and experiences. Each and every one of us have a plethora of talents and skills that we can use to make the world a better place. In order to begin doing so, we first have to dig deep and focus on the necessary tasks set in front of us in our respective institutions of learning.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Often, there is more than one way to approach a subject. In certain environments, one way may be presented as "the best" or "only" way. However, I would argue that not all students learn the same way. Therefore, I would push the student to explore alternative approaches to the material and find a method that best suits their learning processes.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Practice makes perfect! It is good to be held accountable for one's actions - this includes receiving recognition for one's accomplishments.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
First I would ask the student what they hope to gain from my services. Secondly, I would go over the material with the student and identify areas which could be improved. Finally, we could begin to develop study skills and methods in order to allow the student full mastery of the subject.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Every student learns in a different manner. Just as no two people are completely alike, nor should every student be expected to learn the same way. Taking this into consideration, it is important to identify the manner in which a student best learns and adjust my tutoring methods to fit.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I provide my students study strategies, practice problems, and tips and tricks to succeeding in the classroom.