
Surina
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Arizona State University - Bachelor of Science, Microbiology and Psychology
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1520
SAT Math: 780
SAT Verbal: 770
Playing sports, hiking, reading, singing, traveling, and photography!
10th Grade Reading
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Writing
Adult Literacy
Anatomy & Physiology
British Literature
Cell Biology
College Biology
College Chemistry
College English
Elementary School Math
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School English
High School Writing
Other
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I like to interact with my students instead of just talking at them. When approaching any problem, I ask them to walk me through how they would answer the question. This allows me to understand their thought process so that I can offer as much pertinent and effective guidance as possible. I am a firm believer in learning through teaching, so sometimes I have my students pretend they are teaching me the material or helping me solve a problem. This ensures that they truly understand the material because you have to have complete knowledge of a subject in order to teach it to someone else.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I go through some general problems or practice tests in any given area in order to see where the student is struggling firsthand. I also ask the student what they have the most difficulty with, and what they think is the most effective teaching style. I like to go through schedules during the first session as well to establish a meeting time/day that is "set in stone" so that the student and I can both get used to a regular routine. More than anything though, I like to talk to the students so that they do not feel nervous or anxious about working with a new tutor. I want to make sure they know that I am here as a mentor, a tutor, and also someone they can trust and reach out to.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I think the best way to help a student become an independent learner is to boost their self-confidence in whatever area they are struggling with. Once a student feels more comfortable with a certain topic, they are more likely to approach the problems and solve them alone rather than having a tutor or friend walk them through each step.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I believe in constant encouragement. When a student feels like there is someone appreciating their hard work and progress, they are more likely to stay motivated. I have seen this technique work, and most of my students continue to stay on top of their school work and work towards the goals they have made for themselves.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would try to explain it in another way using a new example!