Patrick
Certified Tutor
I am a military veteran with a passion for history and social sciences!! I have over 14 years of experience training sailors in everything from security to inspecting 18 million dollar aircraft. I have a knack for explaining complex ideas in a way everyone can understand, and I enjoy doing so very much.
My educational background is a Bachelor of Arts from Old Dominion University in International Studies with a minor in Asian Studies. Although I have never been to Asia I am absolutely obsessed with Chinese and Japanese culture and history. I also have a Master of Arts from Regent University in Government with a focus on American Government and International Politics. I believe in the power of an American populace that is familiar with how our government works. In addition to my two degrees I have a Certificate from Regent University in Terrorism and Homeland Defense and a Virginia Department of Education teaching certification. As you can see I am passionate about learning and even now I am trying to invent ways to afford law school.
Aside from education, I am an avid runner and I have participated in several marathons in the past 5 years. My most recent run was up Mount Plose in the Italian alps near the Italian-Austrian border. The race started at 1,500 ft and went up to almost 8,000 feet. Besides running I love traveling. I have lived all over the West Coast of the United States and I have traveled to almost every major European country. During my naval service I lived in Spain for 4 years and while there I met my wife who is a native Italian. Together we have 2 wonderful children.I am fluent in Italian and I have at least rudimentary language skills in Mandarin Chinese, Modern Standard Arabic, and Spanish.
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Undergraduate Degree: Old Dominion University - Bachelors, International Studies
Graduate Degree: Regent University - Masters, Government
Running Marathons and playing video games with my kids
- AP Italian Language and Culture
- College English
- College Geography
- College Level American History
- College World History
- English
- European History
- Geography
- Government
- High School English
- High School Geography
- High School Level American History
- High School World History
- History
- Social Studies
- US History
- World History
- World Religions
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that learning never ends and that by teaching things I already understand to others I continue to master them myself. I also believe the purpose of having knowledge is so that it can be given to anyone willing to accept it.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Try and gauge their interest in a particular topic and try to observe what kind of learner they are.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
You can help someone become an independent learner by giving them confidence in the material. In other words you show them how to learn what they are struggling with rather than just giving the answer.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By allowing them to take breaks. If they like video games tell them to make a game out of studying by playing one level or one half hour for every hour of study.