Brandon
Certified Tutor
I am an undergraduate student at UNLV. I major in English with a minor in Japanese and I am in the honors college.I serve as the editor of the opinion section of The Rebel Yell, UNLV's student newspaper. In the past I have tutored Spanish and Japanese language students, but I am actually most passionate about English and reading and would love more experience working with students to enfranchise them with the power of literacy. I derive happiness from seeing others grow and contributing to the lifelong process of education, so I find tutoring to be an appropriate outlet for this passion. In my free time, I enjoy reading short stories and writing my own prose.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Nevada-Las Vegas - Current Undergrad, English
I enjoy reading, writing, biking, and running during my freetime. I particularly enjoy short stories and poetry because I feel they are the most nuanced form of writing. I am currently training for my first marathon this November. Above all, I am interested in helping students adapt to unique academic demands and learning to thrive in any situation.
- Advanced Placement Prep
- AP Japanese Language and Culture
- College English
- English
- ESL/ELL
- Foreign Language
- High School English
- Japanese
- Languages
- Other
- Spanish 1
- Summer
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
I am a proponent of using personalized mnemonic devices to facilitate the learning process; however, I believe in flexibility, and always make certain to ask for feedback such that I am able to adapt to students' needs effectively.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session with a student, I will ask for the student's academic background and their likes/dislikes pertaining to the subject at hand. I like to ask what resources are used in class or are provided by the instructor, such that I may share my own supplemental resources and/or familiarize myself with the style of instruction with which the student is familiar. I also like to ask the student what his or her teacher does that he or she likes/dislikes in order to provide consistency in positive practices and avoid habits the student finds unhelpful. After I have gauged the student's overall sentiments regarding a subject, I will begin by asking in which area the student would like to focus.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Helping students become independent learners is a product of encouraging them to make the material personally relevant such that they feel connected to their learning. I am a proponent of reviewing materials with students, and then giving them assessments to complete independently such that I am not holding their hand through the entire learning process.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help students stay motivated by making sure to point out their strengths such that they feel confident in at least one area of the subject matter and desire to reach the same level of strength across the board.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, I remain patient and do my best to relate it to something with which I know the student is familiar. I think repetition is important to solidifying knowledge, and that time can be an ally when it comes to developing a student's skills.