Derek
Certified Tutor
My name is Derek. I am a recent graduate from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where I was a part of the Honors Program and graduated with High Honors. I have always loved learning and academics in general, and will hopefully soon be pursing a graduate degree in Political Science.
I have a large amount of experience tutoring students in late elementary through high school in one-on-one settings. My students have ranged from highly motivated individuals wanting to go from a B+ to an A to students having difficulty passing a tough class, and I strive to match my style and depth of instruction with the knowledge level of the student.
I strongly believe everybody has the potential to succeed, and a recurring theme of my tutoring is that my students should recognize their own potential by 1) identifying their current position, 2) identifying their desired position, and 3) setting schedules and goals that help the former become the latter.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of California-Santa Barbara - Bachelors, Political Science and Government
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1530
- SAT Math: 790
- SAT Verbal: 780
Video games, reading, history, bad jokes, learning
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- American Literature
- College Level American History
- College Level American Literature
- English
- Essay Editing
- Geography
- Geometry
- High School English
- High School Geography
- High School Level American History
- High School Level American Literature
- High School World History
- High School Writing
- History
- Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- Social Studies
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
- World History
What is your teaching philosophy?
I strongly believe everybody has the potential to succeed, and a recurring theme of my tutoring is that my students should recognize their own potential by 1) identifying their current position, 2) identifying their desired position, and 3) setting schedules and goals that help the former become the latter.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would initially ask them about what they enjoy and what they are passionate about in life. Then, I would discuss the more serious topics or subjects that I will be tutoring them in. Finally, I hope to find ways to link success in academics with what they are passionate about. Once we have decided upon shared goals, we can discuss what teaching methods they have liked the most and which ones have worked for me (as a tutor) in the past. I prefer for tutoring to be a conversation rather than dictation; such an approach demonstrates respect to young pupils who, oftentimes, will gladly put in work as long as they understand why they are doing it.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Independent learning is the result of active decision-making by the student. My exercises in identifying goals and ways to achieve them can be related to the effort that a student can put in on their own time. If they are committed to having no C's, we can discuss 1) where they should focus, 2) what work to do, and 3) how much they should do on a weekly basis.