
Robert
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Massachusetts Amherst - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, Pure and Applied
ACT Composite: 36
ACT English: 35
ACT Math: 36
ACT Reading: 35
ACT Science: 36
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1550
SAT Math: 800
SAT Verbal: 730
SAT Writing: 750
Swimming, running, traveling the developing world, and playing the guitar.
Elementary School Math
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Test in United States History
SAT Subject Tests Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
Practice makes perfect.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Generally, we talk about what the student is struggling with, why they think they're struggling, and what they're hoping to accomplish. If time allows, we might do some preliminary practice problems.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
By finding the aspects of learning that excite the student, we can work together to find a way to encourage them to study independently.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
The key to motivation is showing the students the results of their studying, and tracking their improvement.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Generally, with reading comprehension, the best method is to slow down and see what level they ARE capable of reading comfortably at, and then build up from there with basics of vocabulary and syntax.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Practice problems and exercises after our lessons are typically the best tools for ensuring that the student does, in fact, understand the material.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
During our first session, we will do preliminary practice problems and talk about what the student feels they are most lacking in.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I typically use whatever resources the student is comfortable working with.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Generally, practice and review of old schoolwork or test material tends to be the best way to start sessions with new students.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
When a student is struggling, the best way to engage them in the subject is to ask them to explain the problems that they are having with the subject, and ask them how they would restructure the subject's practice work if it were up to them. We then use that as a model to restructure their work.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
We work together within their strengths in the subject, focusing on the positives instead of the negatives.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Whatever the student needs to work on, that's what we work on. If they struggle with reading comprehension, we work on their vocabulary and speed of reading; if they struggle with mathematics, we do mathematics problem sets.