Vivien: Spokane County tutor
Certified Tutor
I am currently a first year dental student. I graduated from University of Minnesota Twin Cities in May 2017. During my time as an undergraduate student, I worked as a campus tutor (tutoring college level biology, math, chemistry, and intro level physics), an assistant for the after school program at Venture Academy (a high school), an ESL co-teacher at Cedar Riverside Plaza, and a translator for Chinese scholars visiting my campus. Although majoring in biochemistry, I have a passion for teaching. I believe all students can achieve more if someone is willing to sit down with them and patiently break down the materials. I have helped students improve their grades in general chemistry from a C to an A. Some feedback I've received from students I previously tutored include: 1) I am good at cracking down complicated scientific concepts into smaller pieces. 2) I am good at explaining things in various ways to help students understand. 3) I am approachable, listen patiently, and respect students' efforts. I also believe bringing positive energy and encouraging students in the correct way are the ultimate shortcuts in helping them achieve better grades. I hope I can help you, or your kids, to learn more every day.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Minnesota Twin Cities - Current Undergrad, Biochemistry
- ACT Math: 34
- ACT Science: 32
ukulele, swimming, reading, star wars, indie music, photography
- ACT Math
- ACT Science
- Algebra
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP Physics 2
- College Physics
- Conversational Mandarin
- DAT
- GED Prep
- GED Math
- GED Science
- Geometry
- High School Physics
- Languages
- Mandarin Chinese
- Mandarin Chinese 1
- Mandarin Chinese 2
- Mandarin Chinese 3
- Mandarin Chinese 4
- Math
- Microbiology
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Physics
- Pre-Algebra
- SAT Subject Test in Chinese with Listening
- SAT Subject Tests Prep
- Science
- Test Prep
- Thermodynamics
What is your teaching philosophy?
All students can achieve more with proper guidance and encouragement.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I like to have us get to know each other, gauge their knowledge level, and trigger their interest in learning.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I could convey the importance and methods of independent learning. I would also teach my ways of finding information from all kinds of resources, including libraries, the internet, and from people.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would encourage students whenever they do something worth praising.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would explain the concept in a different way and have the student repeat it for their understanding.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would break down large paragraphs and sentences to smaller pieces.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I would have students tell me their understanding of a concept first, and then I would introduce new material to them.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would find interesting facts related to the subject to trigger their interest.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I ask students to repeat their understanding of the material back to me.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I would carefully observe when the students try their best, and I would praise them for their efforts.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I would ask questions ranging from introduction levels to deeper levels of understanding, and I would review their learning objectives if they were available. Otherwise, I would use their textbook/homework as a guide to establish proper learning goals.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I would provide the same level of practice problems according to their learning goals.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Textbooks, the internet, and test preparation books.