Sonia
Certified Tutor
Hi Ya'll,
Thank you for reviewing my profile and personal statement. Below is a quick timeline and outline of my subject and teaching experience as well as my teaching philosophy.
In 2011 I was awarded a undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M University. I had pursed Biomedical Engineering out of my love from mathematics and the science and their fusion together. This degree required I learn Math, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Physiology and various applied Engineering courses that required an understanding of how these fields worked and could be contextualized together. While an undergraduate student I became a Michal E. DeBakey Scholar and worked for a lab that was mathematically modeling the cardiovascular system. I was put in charge of leading my own research team, which required me to teach and aid other students. I began to realize that while I loved science I also greatly loved teaching and seeing fellow students overcome their fear of any subject.
This lead me to teaching high school Biology through the Texas Teaching Fellows program at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, TX. I saw a lot of my at-risk and even pre-AP students struggling with phobias of science or math. It was truly rewarding to find what it would take to see that student achieve. This experience confirmed my love teaching and helping any student overcome their fear of a subject material. It also helped me realize how much I missed music, which had always been a passion of mine.
These experiences lead me to the University of Texas at Arlington where I am currently pursing a second undergraduate degree in Music Composition and Music Education.
I am passionate about learning and teaching. I believe that every student is able and can over come any learned helplessness or fear of a subject if it is broken down and explained in manner specific to that students??? learning and communication style. I see my self as a facilitator and seek to help students become independent and successful life long learners.
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Undergraduate Degree: Texas A & M University-College Station - Bachelors, Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Degree: The University of Texas at Arlington - Current Grad Student, Music Education - Second Bachelors
Hiking & Camping, Art & Art History, Music, Coffee Shop Connoisseur, and Gardening
- 1st Grade Math
- 2nd Grade Math
- 3rd Grade Math
- 4th Grade Math
- 5th Grade Math
- 6th Grade Math
- 7th Grade Math
- 8th Grade Math
- 9th Grade Math
- Algebra
- Art History
- Elementary Algebra
- Elementary School Math
- Geometry
- Homework Support
- Math
- Music Theory
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that every student is able and can overcome any learned helplessness or fear of a subject, if it is broken down and explained in manner specific to that students’ learning and communication style.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Assess the student's current ability and understanding of that subject material, and identify barriers to his/her success in that subject.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By teaching the student the building blocks of the subject and of learning in general, the student can learn to become his/her own teacher. I see my role as a facilitator that aids and empowers students towards independent learning.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
In my experience, students lose motivation when a subject appears too difficult, is moving too slowly, or has no connection to his/her life or interests. If a student was struggling with motivation I would work to keep them engaged by tailoring the learning to his/her learning speed and interests. If they were struggling to understand an aspect of the subject, I would seek to identify and empower the student to overcome that barrier.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If a student were struggling I would work to identify where the difficulty is stemming from. I would break down the subject material and go back to the last point that the student was successful at. Then, I would work with the student to use what they already do understand to build back up to the skill or concept we are working towards.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When students that are struggling with reading comprehension see big paragraphs, like really long worded math problem, it can be very daunting. If we break down what is being said into smaller pieces and pull the information out, a lot of times the student then succeeds. I have also found students struggling with vocabulary. When I had taught them to determine the word in context, this often helps.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Very student comes to the table with different learning styles, different previous knowledge and experience, and different motivations and interests. Truly understanding where a particular student is coming from has helped me be most successful with that student.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help identify the exact part they are struggling with. Often one step is where the student got off, but then the whole type of problem is deemed frustrating. So we would find the last moment the student was successful, and use tools; they are really are good with to build up confidence and build up to where they are struggling. Also, one way to work on keeping things exciting and engaging is to pull into the situation things the student is personally interested in.