John Raffles
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: University of Arizona - Bachelors, Biomedical Engineering and Dance
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1520
SAT Math: 740
SAT Verbal: 800
Dance, Reading, Kickball, Board-games, Pizza!
AP Computer Science
AP Computer Science A
Biomedical Engineering
College Biology
College Chemistry
College Computer Science
College English
MCAT Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
High School Biology
High School Chemistry
High School Computer Science
High School English
Homework Support
Honors Chemistry
ISEE Prep
JavaScript
MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Other
SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Tests Prep
Summer
Technology and Coding
What is your teaching philosophy?
Students struggle not because they are incapable of learning, but because somewhere in the process of understanding, small inconsistencies creep up and disable whole pathways downstream in the process. My job is to identify and correct those places, allowing natural understanding to resume.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
For subject tutoring, I like to begin with an overview of the course, identifying which sections the student anticipates trouble in and reviewing pertinent information from previous classes. Then the process begins! For Test Prep, an overview of the test itself (sections, information covered), previous attempts (if any), desired scores, and areas of anticipated difficulty are all desirable beginning points. Of course, I am open to suggestions from my students as well!
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Learning is a life-long process. Ease of acquiring knowledge is a necessary skill that everyone should strive to achieve. That being said, there are various strategies offered to maximize intake of knowledge, but by far the best is to simply and fully understand the basics. The small ideas that form the foundations of the knowledge base of the subject will always guide you properly, and help you remember more clearly that which comes after.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
Motivation can often be self-provided during short breaks if study is for an extended period of time. Even five minutes of stretching the legs and "not thinking" can easily provide a return to a motivated state. Reminders of the long-term benefits of achieving the desired goals typically helps as well.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
Break down the concept or skill into its component ideas. Mastering each separately and then stitching them together into a cohesive whole is an excellent method.