
Dustin
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Brandeis Univeristy - Bachelor in Arts, History and Art History
Graduate Degree: Courtauld Institute - Master of Arts, History of Art
ACT Composite: 34
ACT English: 34
ACT Math: 34
ACT Reading: 34
ACT Science: 34
SAT Math: 700
SAT Verbal: 740
GRE Quantitative: 162
Chess, Guitar, Hiking, Archery
College English
College Geography
Comparative Literature
High School English
High School Geography
IB History
IB Visual Arts
IB Visual Arts HL
IB Visual Arts SL
IB World Religions
Other
Quantitative Reasoning
Social Sciences
Study Skills
Study Skills and Organization
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in using personalized methods to help students achieve independence in their learning environment. Identifying how they best learn and being able to utilize that is the key to their success.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
The first sessions is always the most important. I try to use practice questions and exams in order to gauge the student's capabilities, and to identify weaknesses and problem areas.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Every student is unique. That said, the key to helping a student become an independent learner is to identify what learning and memorizing methods work best for them, and finding their motivation to pursue those avenues.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Many students only suffer because they are uninterested in a subject matter. By finding ways to relate less interesting subjects to things the student does enjoy, they can be motivated to perform at higher levels.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
There is never one solution, and often not one single reason, for a student having difficulty with a concept. The goal is to identify why something is difficult so the student and tutor can work together to find better ways to learn the material.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Reading takes patience and persistence. By continuous practice with vocabulary and targeted reading passages, plus the proper encouragement, any student can improve their reading ability.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
The most important thing is getting to know the student. Who they are and how they learn dictates everything that follows in their lessons.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Engagement with a subject is a byproduct of interest. Identifying a student's interests and linking them to the subject matter keeps them excited and engaged.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Especially with test prep, the best way to create benchmarks is to take practice tests in circumstances that simulate the testing environment. This way I, as the tutor, can better gauge the student's abilities and understanding.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
I believe wholeheartedly in positive reinforcement, be it verbal or in writing when reviewing a student's written work.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
There is no simple answer to this question. Every student is an individual and their needs manifest themselves in different ways. Sometimes, a simple practice test clearly shows what a student needs; other times, it is only through time and discussion with the student that their specific needs can be identified.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
If they like to look, we look. If they like to sing, we sing. If what helps them is to simply to have someone there to watch and correct for mistakes, then that is what we do. The student's needs are of primary importance.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I am a proponent of bringing in helpful technologies when applicable, be they computer programs, apps, or calculator functions. With younger students, it is sometimes helpful to use craft materials as a way of engaging with a subject matter.