
Minu
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Current Undergrad, Biology, General
ACT English: 34
ACT Math: 32
I love to collect magnets and to travel.
1st Grade Math
1st Grade Reading
2nd Grade Math
2nd Grade Reading
3rd Grade Math
3rd Grade Reading
3rd Grade Science
4th Grade Math
4th Grade Reading
4th Grade Science
5th Grade Math
6th Grade Math
7th Grade Math
Anatomy & Physiology
Cell Biology
College Application Essays
College Biology
College Math
Conversational Spanish
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Science
High School Biology
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
Neuroscience
Other
Spanish 1
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
I am someone who really believes in group studies, but I am someone who does not resort to that as my only option. I like to spend the day before my test to study by myself. For subjects like Spanish and science, I feel that making quizzes are essential for my success, because it motivates me to be able to go through all the flashcards so many times that I can define each term almost immediately after I see it. In addition, for subjects like math, I love to make formula sheets for each chapter, because not only will it be beneficial for my test, but it will also be very helpful when compiling all my notes for the final!
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I strongly believe in giving out small incentives for each success each student does. Whether it be as small as completing homework for the next day or as big as doing well on a test, it is essential to reward oneself for each success one perseveres through.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I will provide extra help on each skill by showing what I would do and giving extra problems with similar wording, since it is most likely what one would see on a test!
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
When I practice for reading comprehension type questions, I have a certain method that works best for me. I like to choose the answer choice that I know I can find in the reading. If I can find the answer in the passage, I underline the sentence(s) in the passage and mark the question number. Then, I like to explain to someone else why I think this answer is right by proving where it is found. By doing this over and over again, I was able to become less dependent on explaining the answer to other people, drastically improving my reading scores!
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
I like to use formula sheets, flashcards, and lots of colored notes with detailed diagrams!
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Confidence comes from knowing the material. If you are able to explain to another person all the material you are to be tested on, and can do any problem regarding those topics, you will feel more confident about the material, the test, and therefore, the subject.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
A student's needs are based on what type of learners they are. For example, visual learners like diagrams and visual representations of the subjects, so they will gain confidence if I provide more means to meet their needs. This could be means of videos that I feel are helpful for them to grasp the concept.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
I have all my AP books and other supplementary material, and that helped me a lot! I will provide many sample problems for extra help. Also, for classes like Biology, I like to use videos, which I felt were very helpful for me when reviewing for Biology tests. I will provide many links that can maybe help students get a better grasp of the subjects gone over in the tutoring session.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
Incentives, rewards, supplemental problems, and test-taking strategies!
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I like to incorporate some silly mnemonics or songs to learn some material. I feel that if memorizing a certain set of terms, mnemonics work best in remembering the material, and having fun with learning the material as well!
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
Based on the frustration levels of the student, I will reform my teaching methods accordingly. For students who are very frustrated, I would provide as much help as I can to ensure that they know the material without their stress getting in the way. This is because stress will make it twice as hard to be able to retain information.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
I would want to get to know the student (ex. what kind of learner are they?) and get a list of topics they want me to go over within the course of the tutoring sessions, and even a schedule of the class they need tutoring in so we can get extra review time for days closer to the day of the big tests.
What is your teaching philosophy?
"Being the best is not a destination, but a journey." This is a quote by Gandhi that I strongly believe in. To succeed in a class, getting the A is not an endpoint that you should be focused towards. Every little homework assignment or test you go through are stepping stones of a journey that you need to be willing to take. Once you persevere and feel confident on the subject itself, the A will automatically come right behind you. Grades not only reflect your success, but also a mark of your hard work. Your grades will reflect the effort you put into the class. Part of that effort is asking for help, and I am here to ensure that you get the best possible help for you to succeed. :)