
Dion
Certified Tutor
The accompanying CV is in response to your listing for professor of Biology, Chemistry, Earth science & Physics. I was a double major in college. I graduated from Glassboro State College (RowanU.) in 1984 with a BA in Physical Science (Chemistry concentration) and Biological Science. I graduated from Meharry Medical College with an MD degree. I moved to New Orleans and ran my own General practice clinic for 12 years, and after being a victim of Hurricane Katrina I returned to NJ an pursued a career in teaching. I have NJ standard teaching certificates in Chemistry & Biology.
The year 2008-2009 I taught physics and chemistry at Camden County Vocational High School in Sicklerville, NJ. They consisted of 2 physics classes, 2 college prep chemistry classes, and 2 IEP Chemistry classes. I took my physics classes to Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA to experience hands on Physics. They saw exhibits in wind tunnels, fluid dynamics, kinematics, mechanics, gears, pulleys, levers, gravity, visual perception, sound waves and electronics. For the next 5 years, I have exclusively taught as an adjunct professor at Rowan University, Gloucester County, Burlington County and Atlantic Cape Colleges and also Lincoln Technical institute in Moorestown, NJ. Several courses I taught were Chem I, Introductory Chem, Preparatory Chem, chemistry in Every Day Life and Chem 101. I have also instructed courses in Human biology, Anatomy & Physiology I & II also Earth science. At Lincoln Tech, I taught medical assistant students in Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, clinical skills and office management. I taught Chemistry at Princeton High School for a semester as a leave replacement 9/1/2014 until 2/1/15. I taught chemistry & forensic science at Barack Obama Green charter HS in Plainfield, NJ 4/2016 until 7/2016. From 1/2016 until 7/2016 I worked in the evening for Cambridge Learning Center in North Brunswick, NJ 23 hours weekly tutoring students in all the sciences. I also give students preparation to take the ACT, AP exams. SAT II and MCAT.
I now have moved to Phoenix, AZ and have begun teaching introductory chemistry lecture & lab at Maricopa Community Colleges I am also tutoring students in sciences. I enjoy inspiring and educating young students in grade school and in college. It would be rewarding to support your staff with my knowledge, experience and technology. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Dion, MD
Professor and Physician
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Undergraduate Degree: Glassboro State College - Bachelors, Phys science chemistry conc./ biological science
Graduate Degree: Meharry Medical College - PHD, medicine
weight training, cycling, swimming, playing and producing music, computer repair, tennis, pingpong
- ACT Math
- ACT Science
- Algebra
- Anatomy & Physiology
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- Biology
- Calculus
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- College Biology
- College Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Science
- Environmental Science
- GED Prep
- GED Science
- Graduate Level Biology
- Graduate Level Chemistry
- High School Biology
- High School Chemistry
- Life Sciences
- Math
- Microbiology
- Middle School Science
- Music
- Nutrition
- Other
- Pharmacology
- SAT Subject Test in Chemistry
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Test Prep
- Trombone
- Trumpet
What is your teaching philosophy?
I feel a teacher must be skilled in several areas. A strong knowledge base in their subject along with experience in problem solving, doing labs and getting exposure to different textbooks that may give different viewpoints and complementing material. Teachers need to be outspoken, clear and concise with their demonstrations and presentations. We must be skilled listeners and attentive to our student's questions, needs and desires. We must be able to adequately meet, access and impress parent figures. Importantly, we must be able to reach students with diversified backgrounds and knowledge levels. It is very essential to stratify our approach using visual, hands-on, group activities and student presentations, while still addressing the academic curriculum guidelines and textbook chapter blocks. Warm-up activities at the beginning of class focus and facilitate the learning process. Wrap-up activities at the end before dismissal strengthen the learning process and help summarize overall learning for that day.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Assess their present knowledge, scheduling of exams, quizzes, etc. Identify textbook and study materials. Help the student out the best where they are presently; establish good rapport.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
After showing the student how to work out certain problems, I challenge the student to work it out on their own with just my oversight.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Interest is very important. Sometimes relating the lesson to real-life events or common things helps keep a student interested. Discussing goals in the course and future careers may help them see the big picture and stay focused.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Teach it in a different way. Some students are more tactile; others more visual or auditory. Having students teach back a concept approaches a higher level of mastery.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Sometimes it is better to skim over the questions, and then read the passage. This will help the student focus in on key points needed for the comprehension questions.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Let them show me where their difficulties are (definitions, concepts, solving chemistry or physics computations), and review whatever material that is brought (homework, textbook chapters, worksheets or review guides).
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Let them realize that they can learn it; they can master it. They just may need to approach the subject differently. Maybe there are important skills that they are missing. Change the mood from impossible to probable.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
It is important to allow students to express their abilities and demonstrate their knowledge in various forms. Some students may be better at spoken presentations, while others may be more artistic or better at reading and researching. So we have visual, auditory, tactile and hands-on learners among all students. All methods must be addressed. It is important to find and showcase students' strengths, while building and fortifying their weaknesses. The classroom should reflect a learning environment with, informative posters, artwork, slogans, positive statements along with students work. Models and displays which show certain technology should be available. Demonstrations, videos, movies, PowerPoint lectures, and field trips should be available for instructional purposes. Students should be assessed in ways that demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter in many forms other than just exams or quizzes. Student oral presentations, PowerPoints, group works, discussions, laboratories, written reports, jeopardy quizzes, games and other creative activities would allow a wide range of skills and abilities to be expressed. Also, allow students to work together in obtaining common goals.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Allowing the student to approach the problem on their own, after working with them over a period of time and working up to this ability. Once they feel they can attack a problem on their own, they will feel confident.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Asking them directly, and reviewing tests, worksheets and assignment scores. Discussion with the current school teacher.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Simply address where they are in distress. I will adapt my style to their pace of learning, how they learn best, and where they have a weakness.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Molecular models, flashcards, and white boards for demonstrating the processes. Calculators, review books and study guides.