Edris: Merrillville tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a dedicated teacher because I am a dedicated learner and I strive to instill in my students that same passion for knowledge and mental exercise, all while improving the student's grades. My tutoring experience stretches back to when I was a high school student tutoring students younger than me in various math and science classes including SAT prep, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, biology, chemistry, and physics. Now, as a graduate of Boston College with a degree in mathematics and economics who has completed the premedical prerequisite courses, I hope to continue my journey as a tutor.
I employ a teaching strategy of explaining important concepts, practicing problems, and reviewing mistakes. My method is to begin by finding the student's weaknesses and explaining those difficult concepts to the students. I then guide the student through practice problems and finally discuss with the student his or her mistakes and show the student how to avoid those mistakes in the future. My teaching strategy relies heavily on practice because I believe through practice, the student can fully synthesize the concepts learned in class and in the tutoring session. Guided practice also allows the student to work through problems and receive help getting past parts of problems that give them difficulty. Through this method, the student will feel more comfortable working through homework problems and answering difficult test questions.
I believe that learning is about understanding important concepts, not memorizing a bunch of formulas, and that obtaining the right answer is less important than trying to understand a problem and devising a method to solve it. The ability to think critically is applicable to all facets of a student's life and academic career. I, as a tutor, hope to help the student hone that ability and apply it towards a successful academic career.
I am available any day of the week and can meet at the student's home, at the library, a coffee shop, or at a park. I'm flexible and hope to make learning fun for the student. I assign optional homework assignments to provide extra practice. I go over the homework assignments if the student chooses to do them. I also offer written progress reports for parents upon request.
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Undergraduate Degree: Boston College - Bachelors, Economics, Mathematics and Biology Minor
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1500
- SAT Math: 790
- SAT Writing: 710
Football, Basketball, MMA, Video Games, Working Out, Bodybuilding
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Economics
- Biology
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- College Algebra
- College Biology
- Economics
- Elementary Math
- GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
- GMAT Quantitative
- Graduate Test Prep
- High School Biology
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Pre-Calculus
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- SAT Verbal
- Science
- Test Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
I aim to help students by ensuring that they understand fundamental concepts by first explaining, then practicing, and finally discussing mistakes.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I prefer to let the student ask questions during the first session to see what the student is comfortable with. If the student does not feel comfortable with that approach, I will explain difficult concepts, go over practice problems, and help the student build the skills necessary to answer more difficult problems.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I hope to make a student independent by teaching them the importance of practice and understand the fundamental concepts of whatever it is that they are studying. I would encourage students to focus on and try to understand all of the key points in their textbooks. A major part of developing competency in academics is practice.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by trying to relate the subject matter to their lives. Because I focus mostly on math and science, I would like to show real world applications of the concepts learned in class and attempt to show the student how cool math and science can be.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would employ my teaching philosophy of explanation, practice, and review.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
If a student struggles with reading comprehension, the student should be encouraged to read more outside of the tutoring session. During a tutoring session, the student can read small passages and answer questions based on those passages.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found practice to be most successful, because practice forces the student to apply concepts learned in class.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would discuss and demonstrate real-world applications of the subject and show the student how what they are struggling with is an integral aspect of their daily life.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
To ensure a student understands the material, I would review practice problems. If the student can successfully complete and explain the thought behind review problems, I can be sure that the student understands the material.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
To build a student's confidence in a subject, I would show the student that whatever they are studying is not impossible, and that there are techniques available to answer any sort of question that they may see on an exam or homework assignment.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
To evaluate a student's needs, I ask the student to tell me what they do not understand. If a student is at a point where they are not sure what they do not understand, I would discuss the subject matter until the student does not feel comfortable. I would then employ my “explain, practice, review” philosophy.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
My tutoring philosophy of “explain, practice, review” is very flexible in the sense that any one of these three techniques can be stressed more or less. For example, if a student knows the facts associated with a subject matter, I would focus the majority of the tutoring session on practice problems.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use PowerPoint Slides, outlines, practice problems, and fun applications of the subject being tutored.