Rebecca
Certified Tutor
Undergraduate Degree: Marquette University - Bachelors, Political Science and Journalism
Graduate Degree: Loyola University Chicago School of Law - Masters, Law
ACT Composite: 32
ACT English: 33
ACT Math: 33
ACT Reading: 33
SAT Composite (1600 scale): 1430
SAT Verbal: 720
In my spare time I like to try out new recipes and read new book. When I can, I love to travel to new places!
10th Grade Reading
10th Grade Writing
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Writing
12th Grade Reading
12th Grade Writing
1st Grade
1st Grade Math
1st Grade Reading
1st Grade Writing
2nd Grade
2nd Grade Math
2nd Grade Reading
2nd Grade Writing
3rd Grade
3rd Grade Math
3rd Grade Reading
3rd Grade Science
3rd Grade Writing
4th Grade
4th Grade Math
4th Grade Reading
4th Grade Science
4th Grade Writing
5th Grade
5th Grade Math
5th Grade Reading
5th Grade Science
5th Grade Writing
6th Grade
6th Grade Math
6th Grade Reading
6th Grade Science
6th Grade Writing
7th Grade
7th Grade Math
7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Science
7th Grade Writing
8th Grade
8th Grade Math
8th Grade Reading
8th Grade Science
8th Grade Writing
9th Grade Reading
9th Grade Writing
Administrative Law
Adult Literacy
AP US Government
CLEP English Literature
College English
Comparative Literature
Criminal Law
Elementary School
Elementary School Math
Elementary School Reading
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Writing
Ethics
Evidence
Expository Writing
Family Law
Fiction Writing
Handwriting
High School Chemistry
High School English
High School Writing
Introduction to Fiction
Journalism
Legal Research
Legal Writing
Middle School Reading
Middle School Science
Middle School Writing
Persuasive Writing
Political Science
Short Novel
Study Skills and Organization
Tort Law
US History
Vocabulary
What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that every student learns differently, and that an individualized learning plan can make all the difference for any type of student, from elementary to graduate school.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session, my focus is on learning as much as I can about the student and their current study habits - what has worked for them and what has not. From there, we can begin to create a plan that will allow the student to not only gain mastery of the subject, but also to learn study tools that will be applicable in every area of study.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Every student must find the right study tools to be successful in any subject. By introducing new and different ways to approach learning, I would help the student determine what study method is most effective for him or her.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I would help students stay motivated by setting goals and helping them be accountable to their goals. Also, by determining effective study methods and tools for each individual, I would help students study effectively and efficiently.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
Practice problems are a great way to make sure that a student understands the material and feels comfortable working with the material.
How do you evaluate a student's needs?
Listening is a big part of successful tutoring. During the first few sessions, I try to do more listening than talking so that I can get to the root of where the student is having trouble. The better my understanding is, the more successful the tutoring sessions will be.
What strategies have you found to be most successful when you start to work with a student?
When first working with a student, I like to hear from them about the study strategies they have been using and why they have not been working. Then, I like to set goals for the student, and work with the student to develop a plan to achieve those goals. Having a plan written down is a great way to stay accountable to the goals. Then, I would encourage the student to try out some new study strategies and have them begin to talk through practice problems to ensure that the student understands the concepts.
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I would start by talking through the skill or concept with them. By listening, I would hope to identify areas of weakness and strength, and begin to formulate a plan with the student to address the weaknesses and utilize the strengths to allow the student to master the skill or concept.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
For a student struggling with reading comprehension, I would start by having the student read out loud a portion of the material and then ask the student to verbally paraphrase what they had just read. By doing this several times, I would hope to identify where the student is having the most trouble - whether it is vocabulary, grammatical structures, or something else. By identifying where the student is having the most trouble, I would then be able to put together a practice plan for the student that would address the difficulties and improve reading comprehension.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
Every student learns differently, and when faced with a type of learning that works best for us, we tend to have the most success and fun while learning. By continually introducing new and exciting study methods and strategies, not only would the student stay engaged, but they would also be able to begin to identify study habits that will work for them in the future.
How do you build a student's confidence in a subject?
Practice! One of the most valuable roles a tutor can play is that of a coach. By formulating an individualized plan for each student, a tutor can develop practice that directly addresses the most relevant topics for a student, making practice much more effective and efficient. I like to think of tutoring as personal training for the brain. The one-on-one nature of tutoring allows the tutor to directly address the student's strengths and weaknesses, which will build the student's confidence quickly and effectively.
How do you adapt your tutoring to the student's needs?
A great tutor approaches each new student as a blank slate. Study tools that work for one student may not for another and visa versa. My approach as a tutor is to come prepared with a whole tool box full of study tips and methods, and then listen to the student to identify which might fit best in their study system.