Kathleen: Villa Park tutor
Certified Tutor
I started tutoring when I was in college when one of my professors encouraged me to work with other students taking chemistry. I have taught chemistry, physics , physical science algebra I and II, and biology over the last 30 years to high school students. I have also tutored at various locations through colleges and on my own. I majored in biology and chemistry then got teaching certificate. I have taught at all girls schools most of my career but also taught at a Navajo boarding school which was coed. I have worked with mostly middle and high school students from a wide variety of backgrounds. I have also taught a forensic science class in a brick and mortar school and through an all online school.
I feel the best way to ensure a student's success is to encourage good communication between the student and the tutor and if applicable the parent. I believe in finding out what the students already know and working from there using as many different ways of teaching and explaining as possible. I want to work with the student's strengths and learning style to help the student progress as far as they are able.
I have raised four children of my own so understand both sides of the student dynamics, as a parent and as a teacher/tutor. I enjoy working with students and helping them to reach their potential.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Kansas - Bachelors, Biology, General
Graduate Degree: University of New Mexico - Masters, Curriculum and Instruction
reading, walking, spending time with grandkids,
- Algebra
- AP Biology
- Biology
- College Biology
- High School Biology
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Pre-Algebra
- Science
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe every student can improve and reach their potential by working hard, using a variety of teaching and learning styles and through good communication.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Figure out what the student already knows. Discuss what they are hoping to accomplish, and discuss how we are going to get there.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By asking the students to think about why they are doing what they are doing as we work through problems. Make them think about the solution without me telling them exactly how to get there.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Let them know I believe they can succeed. Praise the student when they have even a small success.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Talk to them about what is holding them back. Try using some different ways of explaining the concept and looking at it from different perspectives.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Show them how to break paragraphs and words down into simpler and smaller parts. Look at the root of the words.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Listen to what they are saying and figure out where the gaps are in their knowledge. Work from what they already know and close the gaps.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Show them how it relates to them personally as much as possible.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
As many different techniques as I can find.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Show them that they can do it, even if it is in baby steps.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Watch as they work problems, talk with them about where they are having issues, and look at some of their work.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
By figuring out where they are lacking in knowledge and how they learn.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
It will depend on the student and the subject area.