Jamal: Chester County tutor
Certified Tutor
My name is Jamal Alafifi. I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and I hold a Master of Science from SUNY-Upstate Medical University. In my spare time I like to work out, go hiking, and play golf.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Arizona - Bachelors, Microbiology
Graduate Degree: Upstate Medical University - Masters, Research
Working out/lifting weights, hiking, golf
- Biology
- College Biology
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Quantitative
- High School Biology
- Life Sciences
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Quantitative Reasoning
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is to allow the student to figure out as much as they can on their own rather than telling them what the answers are, and then from there I can guide them to the solution.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will first see what they are struggling with and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By teaching them strategies for how to approach problems on their own.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By setting short-term goals to be reached.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Try to reframe the skill or concept into something that the student can relate to.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Have them read and explain what they just read. Then explain what they got right and what they got wrong.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Let the student work out problems on their own and then guide them rather than explaining everything to them unless they are stuck.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Compare it to something that they are excited about or can better relate to.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Quiz them on the material periodically to assess their understanding.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Ask them questions on areas that they are strong in and give positive reinforcement.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Have the student tell what it is that they are struggling with.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Figure out what their needs are and what they are struggling with.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Textbooks, notebooks, and writing utensils.