Mike
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology - Bachelor of Science, Mining Engineering
Graduate Degree: Colorado School of Mines - Master of Science, Mineral and Energy Economics
Snowboarding, football, basketball, hiking, camping, running
Business
College Economics
High School Business
High School Economics
Macroeconomics
What is your teaching philosophy?
My teaching philosophy is to never move on to a new problem or subject until the student has demonstrated a complete understanding of the problem or subject matter.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a typical first session, I would like to sit down with the student and identify all of the problem areas and subjects so we can make a plan on how to best address the problem areas/subjects.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I can help a student become an independent learner by giving them the tools to succeed and figure out any type of problem.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
To stay motivated, students need to keep the big picture in mind. Always make a list of your assignments and tackle them in order of importance. Another way to stay motivated is to create new challenges for yourself and tackle problems in new ways.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Students who are struggling with reading comprehension can gain a better understanding by becoming discerning readers. Discerning readers learn how to infer meanings from books and articles by looking for clues in previous passages.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
When working with a new student, the strategy I have found to be most successful is to outline a list of problem areas and then figure out a step-by-step plan for addressing the issues.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I would help a student get excited by helping them understand the logic and concepts behind what they are studying. It is so much easier for a student to be engaged when they understand the why behind what they are studying.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
The best technique to make sure a student understands the material is to have them work through practice problems. Once I feel a student has shown a good understanding of the subject, I would like to see them work through a few problems on their own in front of me so I can see them demonstrate an understanding of the subject.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
To build a student's confidence, you need to give them the tools to succeed, but also allow them to reach an understanding on their own. Once a student sees that they are able to understand problems on their own, they will become much more confident in their learning abilities.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
I evaluate a student's needs by going through previous and future course material and assessing the areas the student has troubles in.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
I adapt my tutoring to the student's needs by responding to what style of tutoring the student most prefers. If they want a more involved approach where we walk through certain problems, I will do that. If they want a more hands off approach where I build the road map and then allow them to work through problems on their own, I will do that.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
The main types of materials I use are the student's textbooks, as well as notebooks for working through practice problems.