
Ryan: Goodyear tutor
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Emory University - Bachelor of Science, Biology and Economics
SAT Math: 770
SAT Writing: 710
Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis
Biology
College Biology
FCAT 2.0 Prep
Florida EOC Assessment Prep
High School Biology
Macroeconomics
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 1
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Tests Prep
What is your teaching philosophy?
"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become."
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Ask them what they plan to achieve, create a plan, and begin executing that plan.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Initially, I would help the student solve a problem they are having trouble with. This doesn't mean solving it for them. Eventually, I would take a step back, until the student feels that they can solve a similar problem confidently and on their own.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Tell them to keep their head up, no matter the issue at hand. Remind them that they have the potential to become better. Mistakes are prone to happen; practice makes perfect.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would take a break from the concept, and find use of a bottom-up approach to help them understand the general idea or concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Give them as much time as they need to comprehend, ask them what they are having trouble with comprehending, then practice similar text to get them adjusted to comprehending the material.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Going over concepts until the student "gets it down," practicing once the student has understood the material, and doing mini-assessments on the topic (serving as a refresher for the concepts).
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would try to help the student get engaged by relating the subject to the individual's own personal life or to something that they plan to do in the future. I'd also try to find practical application of the subject they are struggling in.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Practice, practice, practice!
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Research suggests that when a student is capable of teaching material, or is comfortable teaching material rather than studying for the sake of the test, the student greatly improves the ability to address it -- thereby increasing his or her confidence in the particular area.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Assess the individual's approach to certain topical problems and comprehension, and then try to understand where the student needs to be facilitated.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Try to sit down, think, and test different teaching approaches. Then understand how the student responds and which technique he or she is able to benefit most from.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Paper, pencil, pen, supplementary hard/soft copy material, calculator (depending on the subject), mini-assessments, and textbooks (occasionally).