Mike
Certified Tutor
I got my undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh, and am working on my Master's degree from NYU in microbiology now. I have been a TA (teaching assistant) for courses in both undergraduate and graduate settings and worked with students both in groups and individually.
Obviously from my background, my strongest subjects are any science or math related subjects at any level. I tutor any science including biological sciences (biology, ecology, genetics, immunology, pathology, human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, neuroscience and others), as well as other science courses including chemistry courses and physics courses, in addition to earth science. I also tutor math, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry. I can also help write papers and proofread for errors and content of any subject, and help write lab reports.
I am comfortable tutoring students of any age and at any speed. I can go as slow as the student needs to, and I excel at teaching through explanations of why to help give a solid understanding of the topic rather than just feeding information to memorize.
I like to read, especially fantasy, and I enjoy drawing, graphic design, and going to the beach on my spare time. I also enjoy a night watching Netflix and spending time with friends. I am comfortable to be around because I am friendly and can make people laugh and feel relaxed. I look forward to helping you with your schoolwork in a friendly and relaxed environment!
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - Bachelors, Biolgical Sciences
Graduate Degree: New York University - Masters, Biological Sciences
reading, computers, traveling, TV shows
- 10th Grade
- 10th Grade Math
- 10th Grade Reading
- 10th Grade Writing
- 11th Grade
- 11th Grade Math
- 11th Grade Reading
- 11th Grade Writing
- 12th Grade
- 12th Grade Math
- 12th Grade Writing
- 1st Grade
- 1st Grade Math
- 1st Grade Reading
- 1st Grade Writing
- 2nd Grade
- 2nd Grade Math
- 2nd Grade Reading
- 2nd Grade Writing
- 3rd Grade
- 3rd Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Reading
- 3rd Grade Science
- 3rd Grade Writing
- 4th Grade
- 4th Grade Math
- 4th Grade Reading
- 4th Grade Science
- 4th Grade Writing
- 5th Grade
- 5th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Science
- 5th Grade Writing
- 6th Grade
- 6th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Reading
- 6th Grade Science
- 6th Grade Writing
- 7th Grade
- 7th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Reading
- 7th Grade Science
- 7th Grade Writing
- 8th Grade
- 8th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Reading
- 8th Grade Science
- 8th Grade Writing
- 9th Grade
- 9th Grade Math
- 9th Grade Reading
- 9th Grade Writing
- ACT Writing
- Adult Literacy
- Anatomy
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Arithmetic
- Astronomy
- Basic Computer Literacy
- MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- College Application Essays
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- College Physics
- Developmental Biology
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Elementary Algebra
- Elementary Math
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School Reading
- Elementary School Science
- Elementary School Writing
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Essay Editing
- Evolution
- Evolutionary Biology
- General Biology
- General Chemistry
- Graduate Level Biology
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Analytical Writing
- High School
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- High School English
- High School Physics
- High School Writing
- Homework Support
- Immunology
- Intermediate Algebra
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Medicine
- Middle School
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Writing
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Other
- Pharmacology
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Biology
- SAT Subject Test in Physics
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Summer
- Technology and Coding
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in explaining the "why" rather than only the "what," and avoiding boring, straightforward fact memorization.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will introduce myself and get to know you. It's important to have some time to be friendly so that you and I can work together better. I will then find out what subject and what areas you are struggling in and go over them with you so that you begin to understand them. If you are still struggling, I will develop a personalized teaching plan and goals for you for any future sessions.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
My teaching philosophy does this through teaching the "why" rather than only fact memorization or doing the work for the student without any actual help. In addition, I can teach study skills and organizational skills that can help the student in every subject, and help them understand any topic better independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help the student stay motivated by avoiding frustrating them or overwhelming them by breaking difficult topics down into manageable pieces that the student is comfortable with. Once the student sees they can actually understand the topic, it makes them feel motivated and empowered to understand it further.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would teach the student at a slower pace and break the topic down into pieces that were manageable so the student wouldn't become frustrated or overwhelmed. I would make sure the student has confidence in himself or herself so they learn the topic effectively.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Socializing to break the ice with a student in the beginning helps them to be able to focus on the work, rather than being nervous about their performance or feeling "stupid" or embarrassed about needing help in front of a stranger.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
By explaining in terms they understand and relating to topics they are interested in so they understand the importance of the subject, rather than just making them memorize information with no basis.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I would use practice questions after the student feels he or she understands the material, and see how they do on it. From there, I would see if they can do the questions on their own, and if not, help them more until they can.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
By teaching them the subject and the issues they are struggling with, and showing them that with practice and some teaching they are able to perform the difficult questions on their own.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By both asking them and reviewing their past assignments in the subject, and seeing what kinds of questions they struggle with on exams or homework as marked by the teacher. It is also important to listen to the student and see what they feel they need help understanding.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
The pace of tutoring and starting point of a topic will vary widely from student to student depending on their other strengths, age and background. It is important to use this information to tailor the tutoring to the student because one technique does not work for everyone.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Pencils and paper, laptops or tablets, calculators and colored pens or pencils are all utilized to help a student understand a topic.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I will go over what the student read and have them explain to me what a sentence or paragraph means to them. If they can't or it is incorrect, then I can explain, even sentence by sentence, what the meaning is so they can feel more confident going forward.