Phil: Sauk Village tutor
Certified Tutor
I love tutoring math, chemistry, and engineering. I worked as a private tutor for 3 years and I also worked at the University of Texas at San Antonio tutoring service center and the Math Department; I tutored mathematics, engineering math, chemistry, Electrical engineering topics, general engineering, and more. I graduated with a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering. I have worked for the on campus tutoring services center for 3 years and also the Math Department during the summers on preparatory tutoring program for the incoming freshmen placement tests; my job was to revise and cover pre-calculus and algebra concepts and practice problems. I also conducted weekly tutoring sessions for students struggling in all areas of engineering and also non-engineering around the San Antonio area; It was very rewarding because the more I tutored different students, I got immensely exposed to different behavior, skills, and character; some students need more one on one attention kind of tutoring (Practice based tutoring), and others required more lecture based tutoring, which usually consisted of 4 to 10 students needing help with an upcoming test; I also held review sessions to help revise forgotten material from class. My hobbies are engineering projects, skateboarding, drawing, playing piano and drums
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Undergraduate Degree: The University of Texas at San Antonio - Bachelors, Electrical Engineering
Engineering projects, Exercise, Skateboarding
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Algebra 3/4
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- Basic Computer Literacy
- Business
- Business Calculus
- C
- C++
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- Calculus 3
- CLEP Prep
- CLEP Calculus
- College Algebra
- College Computer Science
- College Math
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- High School Computer Science
- IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
- Math
- MATLAB
- Multivariable Calculus
- Other
- Photoshop
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Productivity
- Science
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Technology and Coding
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
What is your teaching philosophy?
Practice, practice, and practice. I learned that the more an individual practices, the more they get exposed to different types of problems that help cultivate and steer the mind into becoming sharper and stronger; this makes that individual an independent learner.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I conduct an assessment, like a prerequisite quiz to assess their skill and level; this is not to scare the student but to analyze where they are. This method helps me ascertain where we need to begin and how fast or slow the tutoring session will be.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Through the practice phase of the tutoring session, I always make sure the student participates during the problem solving; Once the student feels confident and well about the procedure, I will then let the student solve one themselves to see if they fully understood the concept and steps.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
By they way I talk, I always encourage the student that they can do it and to never to give up if the problem seems too tough.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I will switch gears; some students learn best primarily with practice based tutoring and others lecture based. Some students are more visual, and others auditory; with this in mind, I switch modes to accommodate the students' needs.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I rehearse vocabulary words that seem to trouble the student; I make a list of words that they do not understand, revise and breakdown those particular words, and then go back to the paragraph and slowly tackle the sentences.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Patience with each student is the key to fully grasping the level and understanding the student has; this will help the tutor understand where they are starting from with the student, and then the learning begins.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I introduce myself and vice-verse, tell them what I like to do for fun and get comfortable with the student; this clears the air, which allows the student to feel comfortable, and then they will have a more relaxed learning experience.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I'd give the student an assessment at the end of the session to see if they understand the material and concepts covered.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
The more the student practices the covered material, the more they will have fun seeing those questions or similar questions again. This will enable the student to like the material and thus exude more confidence.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
By the first few minutes, we've started practicing the material, and I start to see where the misunderstandings are. Then, I will proceed to address those misconceptions about the material.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Paper, pencil, eraser, and an electronic dry erase board.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
By assessing their level and some time spent with the student, I will switch my style to accommodate the student by meticulously analyzing the way the student learns best.