Heli: Hempstead tutor
Certified Tutor
I'm an undergrad student at NYU, studying Biology and Global Public Health on the pre-med track. I have mostly taught elementary and middle school children, but I'm looking to move up soon. Having said that, I did well on the SAT and the fact that I studied for it quite recently myself makes me confident teaching it to high school students. In my free time-- I love reading, cooking, playing soccer, kickboxing, singing (in the shower!) and hanging out with my friends (and their pets). Lastly, I feel that good teachers, both in and out of school, have been instrumental in my education and progress as an individual. It makes me so glad to be able to provide the same for other students. I can't wait to get to know all of you and help you reach your goals!
Connect with a tutor like Heli
Undergraduate Degree: New York University - Current Undergrad, Global Public Health- Biology
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1490
- SAT Verbal: 740
- SAT Writing: 720
Reading, cooking, playing soccer, kickboxing, animals, meeting new people
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- ESL/ELL
- GED Prep
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Hindi
- Languages
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Middle School Reading
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- Phonics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Study Skills
- Study Skills and Organization
- Test Prep
- TOEFL Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching policy is to be as fun and interactive as possible; and to adapt to each student's specific learning style as long as they are willing to be diligent, hard-working and cooperative.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I will get to know the student, and see how much they know about the topic and what they're struggling with. I will start with the basics and build up to the problem to clarify everything possible.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I will give them problems to do when they have no help available so that they learn to work hard and think differently to come to a solution without help. Obviously, if they still don't get it after a couple tries, I will always be here to help!
How would you help a student stay motivated?
A student who understands the topic, and hence ends up doing well in school, is almost always automatically motivated. It has to come from inside. I will just help them realize that hard work leads to good results, and that will be motivation in itself.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would start over from the beginning until they understand the basics. I will be patient until the student demonstrates proficiency, and then keep moving to harder and harder problems.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
I would teach them to break the comprehension down into parts and attack them separately. Concentrate on the beginning and end of paragraphs as they give clues about the paragraph itself. Don't be overwhelmed- just take it slow.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I have found patience and engagement successful. Let them do it themselves, but be there to constantly keep pushing and explain if they don't understand.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help find areas in the subject that they actually find enjoyable to condition them into liking the subject itself. For example- if a student who loves astronomy is struggling with reading, give him/ her an article on space to read.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
More and more practice! See if they are able to do it. I would also ask them to loudly work out what they are doing to me so I can see if they understand the logic.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Make sure they know every kind of possible question on the topic. Make them experts at it- confidence comes automatically then.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Students are usually obvious about what they need. I will listen to them and adapt to what they need from a teacher.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I will do whatever it takes to make them understand the material. If they liked the way a certain teacher taught, I will employ the same.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I use paper and pencil usually.