Stephen: Fox Lake tutor
Certified Tutor
I am a positive, energetic, and upbeat person by nature. I love teaching others and learning more about the world around me. I attended Beloit College (Go Bucs!) in Beloit, Wisconsin where I received my BA in History and submitted an Honors Thesis. The year after graduation I spent teaching English to university students in Kaifeng, China. I then went back to school and got my Masters in Communication from Hawaii Pacific University. While pursuing my Masters I was a Math and Reading tutor, and I worked for my university's magazine, writing and editing articles for quarterly publications.
I tutor SAT, History, Math, Reading, Writing, English Literature. History is definitely the subject I enjoy tutoring the most, as it was my major and a continued passion of mine. I'm even in the process of writing a historical novel!
I grew up in Hawaii, and I love being outdoors with my wife and two dogs. We all live in Spokane, WA now, where the scenery is beautiful and there's an always adventure awaiting around every tree and mountain. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, playing soccer and tennis, and just relaxing with my family.
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Undergraduate Degree: Beloit College - Bachelors, History
Graduate Degree: Hawaii Pacific University - Masters, Communication
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1370
- SAT Verbal: 710
Reading, writing, soccer, tennis, and running.
- Algebra
- College English
- College Level American History
- Comparative Literature
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- ESL/ELL
- Essay Editing
- European History
- High School English
- High School Level American History
- History
- Literature
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- PSAT Critical Reading
- Reading
- SAT Reading
- SAT Verbal
- Social Studies
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
Learning is about growth. A great teacher should not always give the student the answer, but show them HOW to think, problem solve, and find the answer on their own. The process is more important than the result.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would start with introductions, get to know the student, and help them become familiar with me as well. Then we would discuss their goals and what they would like to get out of this tutoring program. Finally, we would begin with a quick assessment of where their knowledge and skills stand on the subject at hand.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Emphasize the process. Ask them how they got to their answer, and talk about the thinking and work that went into solving the problem. Also, make learning fun and important so they carry the joy and value of learning well beyond our tutoring session.