Teresa: Springfield tutor
Certified Tutor
I am currently a college student studying nursing. I have tutored students since 8th grade and I am thrilled to be able to help students who, like me, sometimes don't understand all the complicated stuff school throws at you! It doesn't annoy me at all if you don't get it the first (or second, or third) time because then we are challenged to find new ways of understanding the subject and, yes, I think that is fun!
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Undergraduate Degree: Cemtral New Mexico Community College - Current Undergrad, Nursing
- SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1410
- SAT Verbal: 750
Creative writing, travelling, and healthy cooking
- ACCUPLACER Arithmetic
- AP French Language and Culture
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- College Biology
- Conversational French
- Elementary School
- Elementary School Science
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- French
- French 1
- French 2
- French 3
- High School English
- High School Writing
- Languages
- Middle School Writing
- Other
- PSAT Critical Reading
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Science
- Test Prep
- Writing
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe teaching is two way: the student learns what the tutor has to teach him about the subject, but the tutor also learns from the student a new perspective on the subject; one that stems from the student's unique mind and desire for the truth. This is what makes learning so fascinating.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would use the first session as an opportunity to get to know the student; where he stands in the subject matter, of course, but also his or her personality and interests.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
The student will begin to work independently as I - little by little - withdraw my help and become less of an instructor and more of a guide beside him as he figures out the answer himself.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
We would bypass all the long, dry texts and begin reading something interesting; something which the student is passionate about! Once the student has developed skills with these texts, he'll find that the "boring" texts are no longer quite so long.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help a student stay motivated by maintaining an optimistic and confident spirit, and by making sure we stay at his level and do not rush ahead.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
We would definitely explore the concept from different aspects and find out how the student sees the topic, and approach it from that aspect. Each student learns differently, and this is what makes tutoring so fascinating!
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
I would have him explain the concept back to me or repeat the problem on his own. I believe he has really understood and grasped the lesson when he is an independent thinker.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I want them to be passionate about the subject, so we would begin by linking the hard subject to something they are passionate about. I would make the subject relatable to them, and this is how their interest would be provoked.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Quizzing would be my way of seeing where the student stands and if he knows the material. I would go over any wrong problems one by one with the student so that any problems he had are solved and he can move on.